2020-09-30 Merit Appeals Board Minutes

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Merit Appeals Board September 30, 2020 MR. BRILHANTE: That's a good question. What we did was also during this period we've issued guidance to all of our departments that the County we as HR, we're being much more understanding and we're being much more liberal with granting what is called telecommuting privileges. MS. HUGHES: Okay. Mm-hmm. MR. BRILHANTE: So, the parameters in place, right now, is that the employee has to have their own laptop—access to their own County -issued laptop because of the federal privacy issues. And if there's any question about that, you can just google Hillary Clinton emails. But— no—so, utnoso, there has to be a County -issued laptop and the employee has to be performing well, have a history of good performance in their quarterly or annual—semi-annually JPR reports. And then, they have to be somewhat independent. So, independent in their area of responsibility so that they can afford the opportunity for them to work from home. So, we've communicated that to all of the departments and we've had a significant increase from what we're hearing, in the number of employees that have been able to avail themselves to the telecommuting privilege. And, so far, it's been pretty well received. It's been—we've gotten good reports. So, just going forward, that's something that we need to keep in mind because prior to COVID-19, the County's policy was not to grant telecommuting privileges just because of the supervisory component and those type of issues. But I think if you have a good worker, you're going have a good worker whether they're sitting five feet in front of you or working from home. MS. HUGHES: Mm-hmm. I mean, if anything, my concern is just as myself a working mom with kids that can't go to school, this is truly a force (inaudible) situation and if any employee, regardless of their reports, but they're good employee period—doesn't have childcare option— that should be something that there's more leniency towards until public schools reopen again. MR. BRIHLANTE: Definitely. And that's why initially I had mentioned the federal first corona—Family First Coronavirus Response Act— MS. ct MS. HUGHES: Right. MR. BRILHANTE: That affords all of our employees who are unable to access or get authorization for telecommuting that gives them 12 weeks of paid leave that they can use from now until December to completely stay home and—stay home without any work responsibilities. And, again, it's paid leave and they can be there to provide the MS. HUGHES: Right. MR. BRILHANTE: take care of their kids. So, that's an option as well. MS. HUGHES: And I imagine this will just continuously be reassessed as the situation goes on and the pandemic? Page 17