Natrona County Commission Working Session 1/5/2021 (Oil City Staff)
CASPER, Wyo – The Natrona County Commission has agreed to extend county employee paid sickness benefits through March 31.
The requirement that employers grant paid sick leave and extended family and medical leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) expired on December 31, 2020.
The law, which went into effect April 1, 2020, required certain employers to grant 80 hours of paid sick leave for conditions related to COVID-19. In addition, benefits under the Family and Sick Leave Act (FMLA) have been expanded to allow 10 weeks of paid leave for employees “whose school or care location was closed due to the pandemic or whose childcare provider was not available”.
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Part of the Consolidated Funds Act passed by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump in late December extended employer’s tax credits for paid sick leave but did not extend those benefits to employees. According to the US Department of Labor, employers can choose to do so voluntarily.
Danielle Krucheck, HR manager for the Natrona administrative district, recommended that the administrative commission for the district extend the benefits at a working meeting on the January 5th deadline.
The commission agreed.
“I think we have to,” said new commissioner Dave North. “Everyone around us is doing it, all communities.”
The payment of the benefits would take place from the general budget of the district. As a government entity, no tax credits are allowed.
The commission pointed out that most of the district employees, aside from maintenance staff and certain staff members in the title department, could work from home in the quarantine.
The commission also said that the Casper-Natrona County Health Department had adopted CDC recommendations to change the quarantine length from 14 to 10 days, provided the person is asymptomatic and tests negative for the virus.
The latest statistics from the Wyoming Department of Health:
What to do when you feel sick: Following the COVID-19 outbreak, the Casper-Natrona County Health Department says people who feel sick or show symptoms should contact their GP.
If you do not have a primary care provider and you live in Natrona County, please call the COVID-19 hotline operated by the Casper-Natrona County’s Department of Health. The line is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 577-9892. Hotline services are aimed at residents of Natrona County and may not be able to provide specific information for people calling from outside the county.
Officials ask you not to report yourself to the emergency room. People with breathing difficulties should call 9-11.
For general questions and non-symptom-related questions about COVID-19, please contact the Casper-Natrona District Health Department by email: [email protected]
- Practice social distancing push through Distance between you and other people. This is especially important for people who are at a higher risk of getting very sick.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after being in a public place or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid close contact with sick people
- Stay home when you are sick
- Cover up your coughs and sneezes. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough, sneeze, or use the inside of your elbow.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. These include tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
A list of the area closures attributed to COVID-19 can be found here.
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