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The United States Department of Labor has issued the following statement:

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act) requires certain employers to provide their employees with paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19.
These provisions will apply from April 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020.

► PAID LEAVE ENTITLEMENTS
Generally, employers covered under the Act must provide employees:
Up to two weeks (80 hours, or a part-time employee’s two-week equivalent) of paid sick leave based on the higher of their regular rate of pay, or the applicable state or Federal minimum wage, paid at:
• 100% for qualifying reasons #1-3 below, up to $511 daily and $5,110 total;
• 2/3 for qualifying reasons #4 and 6 below, up to $200 daily and $2,000 total; and
• Up to 10 weeks more of paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave paid at 2/3 for qualifying reason #5 below for up to $200 daily and $12,000 total.

A part-time employee is eligible for leave for the number of hours that the employee is normally scheduled to work
over that period.

► ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES
In general, employees of private sector employers with fewer than 500 employees, and certain public sector employers, are eligible for up to two weeks of fully or partially paid sick leave for COVID-19 related reasons (see below). Employees who have been employed for at least 30 days prior to their leave request may be eligible for up to an additional 10 weeks of partially paid expanded family and medical leave for reason #5 below.

► QUALIFYING REASONS FOR LEAVE RELATED TO COVID-19
An employee is entitled to take leave related to COVID-19 if the employee is unable to work, including unable to telework, because the employee:

1. is subject to a Federal, State, or local quarantine or isolation order related to COVID-19;

2. has been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine related to COVID-19;

3. is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and is seeking a medical diagnosis;

4. is caring for an individual subject to an order described in (1) or self-quarantine as described in (2);

5. is caring for his or her child whose school or place of care is closed (or child care provider is unavailable) due to COVID-19 related reasons; or

6. is experiencing any other substantially-similar condition specified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

► ENFORCEMENT
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) has the authority to investigate and enforce compliance with the FFCRA. Employers may not discharge, discipline, or oth erwise discriminate against any employee who lawfully takes paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave under the FFCRA, files a complaint, or institutes a proceeding under or related to this Act. Employers in violation of the provisions of the FFCRA will be subject to penalties and enforcement by WHD.

OFFERS

• ABC Market Place – Exlcusive savings offered to employees of ABC affiliated businesses. Save on movies, dining out, gift certificates, clothing, computers, vehicles, insurance, travel, and much, much more.

WELLNESS ARTICLES

*NEW THIS MONTH

• Women’s Health – 3 Tips to Take Charge of Your Health
• Oral Health During a Disaster
• 3 Ways to Fend off the Flu

Diet & Exercise:

• Allergies vs. Colds: What’s Causing Your Discomfort
• 5 App Features for Hassle-free Health
• Healthy Weight – Happy Body
• Cooking Heart Healthy
• Check Your Blood Pressure at Home
• Three Ways to Eat Smarter
• How Does a Keto Diet Work
• Should You Use Melatonin to Burn Fat?
• Do ‘Fast Days’ Actually Work for Weight Loss?
• The Best Foods to Buy at Whole Foods
• Looking to Gain Weight? Here’s Some Tips
• Does This Diet Lead to a Longer Life? (The Okinawan Diet)
• Women’s Health – Let’s Celebrate Our Strength
• Men’s Health – Three little reminders for a healthy life style
• Every Move Matters – Do you know how much exercise you actually need?
• The Simplest and Most Beneficial Exercise YOU CAN DO!
• Water, Water, Water! – Do you drink enough?
• What’s in your DRINK? Use this handy guide.

Wellness:

• Combating Serious Stress
• Healthy Mind, Body, and Spirit
• Understanding the Stress/Health Connection
• Quit Today to Thrive Tomorrow
• Abusive Relationship – Should I End It?
• Reaching Out for Help When Your Thoughts Scare You
• Overcoming Your Fear About Donating Blood
• Relax Wisely – Take this informative quiz to find out what relaxation techniques work best for your stressed state of mind.
• Handling Stress – Three simple tips to find your balance.

*NEW – RECIPES

• Healthy Recipes You Can Make in a Slow Cooker
• 4 Clever Ways to Use a Slow Cooker and Eat Better

KAISER PERMANENTE RESOURCES 

Phone Number: 1-800-777-7904

Website: www.kp.org/

Wellness Coaching through K.P.

FORMS

• Kaiser Permanente Medical Financial Assistance and Pharmacy Waiver Program. NEW Telephone Number for Financial Assistance: 1-844-412-0919.
• Continuity of Care Request Form

KP PRESS RELEASES

• Prevention Services
• Understanding Preventive Care
• Two New Baltimore Area Facilities
• Video Visits with Your KP Physician – Why go into the office if you don’t have to? Read this helpful guide to learn how to use your device to have virtual face time with your doctor.