Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1233441
at the capitol 10 ADVOCATE | SPRING 2020 closure (under the language of the statute, "the employee shall work remotely" after this date). Under this act, other school employees who are unable to perform their work tasks remotely will be assigned other tasks through the duration of the statewide closure. Q Do I have a right to stay home and not work with everything that's going on with the pandemic? A Generally speaking, no. However, you may be able to take time off by utilizing paid leave benefits, potentially including emergency paid sick leave or public health emergency leave (under federal law), earned paid sick time (under state law), or other available leave (e.g., personal leave or vacation). These benefits are discussed in prior sections of this FAQ. You may also be able to take traditional unpaid leave under the FMLA (for an employee's own serious health condition or to care for another with a serious health condition) or leave as a reasonable accommodation for a staff member with a disability under the ADA. Finally, you may be able to refuse to work if you can show there is an imminent or immediate risk of death or serious physical harm. Based on the overall picture of community spread in Arizona, it is not clear that such conditions exist presently. If you are feeling an overwhelming sense of unease, stress, or anxiety about the COVID-19 pandemic, your district may offer an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that would allow you to speak with a professional who can assist you. Q May I use sick leave if I have to stay at home with my child because my child's school is closed due to the COVID-19 outbreak? A You may use, under federal law, emergency paid sick leave and/or public health emergency leave and, under state law, earned paid sick time to care for a child whose school or place of care has been closed due to the coronavirus. Paid leave for caring for a child whose school is closed under federal law is limited to two-thirds of an employee's regular rate of pay up to $200 per day. These paid leave benefits could be stacked (likely taking the federal benefits first) or used as near substitutes for one another (for example, you may choose to utilize earned paid sick time under state law to receive your full, regular pay rather than utilizing federal paid leave options). U N I O N STR O N G O N S T R O NG UN I O N S T R O NG Val Vista Lakes Elementary parade through the neighborhood to wave to kids in their homes from their cars! Picture courtesy of Gilbert Public Schools. Kudos to team of nutrition workers in Gilbert who served free breakfast and lunch at eight district drive-thru meal service sites. Photo courtesy of Gilbert Public Schools. Photos courtesy of Kyrene Elementary School District. Throughout the closures, Kyrene employees have been working around the clock to provide essential services to staff, families, and extended Kyrene community. Kyrene Education Association Kyrene Education Association Quality through Advocacy, Relationships, Membership