Hello, everyone, I hope this email finds you and your families well.
As you know, last week our Governor extended the “Stay Home for Nevada” directive. This means schools and all non-essential businesses are to remain closed until April 30. In compliance with this emergency, mandatory directive, HSI will begin to reopen facility-based services on May 5. Employees should plan to return to work on May 1, to give us a few days of preparation prior to welcoming back the people with disabilities we support.
Given the continued closure of most of our facility-based services, there are some changes you need to be aware of to your pay and timekeeping.
Starting with this new pay period, Monday, 4/6, through re-opening, paid leave will continue to be available for employees who are available to work but do not have work available. Again, if you have responded to work when available and do not get a work assignment, you will continue to be paid and the hours for which you are paid will no longer be coded PTO. HR will fill out the paid leave portion of the time card; hours worked must still be recorded by employees or supervisors.
Q. What work is available?
A: Day Habilitation services are essential services and have been approved by the State to be provided in homes. Given this, we anticipate increased Day Habilitation and JDT work becoming available for Day Habilitation staff as we learn more about those who want these services. Day Habilitation staff will be receiving specific instructions on what work is available, where and when. We will communicate the process for how to provide your availability to work later this week.
Q: What if I am unavailable to work?
A: Unless you meet one of the identified COVID-19 related eligibility criteria for not working, you will not be paid HSI/WARC leave or Federal paid leave for the time during which paid work was available.
Employees who fall into one of the Federal COVID-19 eligibility criteria may receive a specific type of paid leave created through the Family First Coronavirus Response Act. You will be required to provide specific documentation regarding your circumstances. Please email Monica or Genny if you think you might be eligible for this leave. For your reference, there is a poster about this leave available in the resources section of our ADP home page.
Certain COVID-19 related reasons for being unavailable for work might qualify you to receive HSI/WARC paid leave, depending on the circumstances. Inability to work will be addressed on a case by case basis. If you believe this applies to you, please email Genny (genny.wilson@hsireno.com) or Monica (monica.dana@hsireno.com).
Employees who are unavailable or are unable to work identified shifts due to personal reasons (not included in the COVID-19 criteria) may use available PTO.
Thank you so much for your dedication and responsiveness. Let’s take care of ourselves and each other!
On behalf of our Leadership Team,
LaVonne Brooks
President & CEO, HSI/WARC/iCelerate