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The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors will consider advancing 14 days worth of sick time to all employees at a special meeting this afternoon, as well as a telecommuting policy for county employees throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a report from the county administrative office, the 14-day advance of sick time will not cost the county. Employees earn a certain number of hours to be used as sick time during every pay period; the proposal would simply loan each employee 14 days worth of leave up front.

“While the local emergency related to COVID-19 is in effect, county employees may use any portion of their benefit time to take off from work for issues related to COVID-19 including, but not limited to, school and/or daycare closures, and contracting COVID-19 or caring for loved ones who have contracted the virus,” the draft resolution reads.

The board may also formalize a special policy to allow county employees to work from home during the pandemic, if they need to and if it is feasible. (Read the staff’s draft of this policy here.) The policy, as drafted, would only be in effect during the duration of the outbreak.

The Board of Supervisors meets at 1:30 p.m. in special session in its chambers on the first floor of the Humboldt County Courthouse today. The meeting can be streamed online from this link.

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DOCUMENTS:

• Staff report.
• Draft resolution.
• Sample telecommute policy.