HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Commission approved extending the sick leave policy for county employees into the spring during Tuesday’s agenda session.
Because of the continued pandemic and vaccinations still some time in the future, the County Commission considered a request from Human Resources Director Renee Harris to extend the current sick leave program.
Under the proposal, any employee suffering from COVID, who is in quarantine or who is caring for a family member who is sick can apply for the extension, providing they haven’t exhausted their hours. The Commission approved the request at a reduced level from 80 hours to 40 hours for an employee. The program is now extended through March 31.
Harris told the board that since the pandemic, 108 employees have had to take leave due to the pandemic, those absences total more than 8,600 hours. The leave will not add any expense to the budget and the funds will come from employee benefits. Employees will need to provide documentation from a doctor or from a COVID test result to gain approval to use the hours.