KP Extends childcare grant. California Law mandates COVID leave.

Childcare Grant

The strength of our union and our partnership continues to benefit our members. KP has agreed to extend the COVID childcare grant through June 5.

Employees who are required to report to work are eligible to receive the childcare grant if the school or day care where their children are full-time enrolled is closed to full-time instruction or care. Eligibility for the stipend includes if the child’s school or day care is only partially opened.

Employees are NOT eligible for the child care stipend if their children’s care or school is fully reopened. For school-aged children, an attestation is required that the school or child care facility is closed for full, in-person instruction.

See the FAQ below for more information. KP plans to end the benefit effective June 5 but agreed to reevaluate pandemic conditions as we get closer to June 5. 

CA COVID-Leave

California enacted a new COVID leave law that was backed by unions.

This law is a tribute to the importance of labor’s political program and influence. The state law now provides improved terms for COVID leave in California, retroactive to January 1, 2021 and through September 30, 2021.  

Eligibility provisions of the new COVID leave law include:

  • For vaccination appointments and side effects,
  • For work-from-home employees, and
  • For caring for a sick or exposed family member or to care for a child if the school or daycare center is closed due to COVID on premises.

Please review the FAQs below for more details.

IMPORTANT: Because the California law is retroactive to January 1, 2021, employees will be able to adjust time off that previously didn’t qualify to reclassify as COVID leave rather than sick leave. Work with your manager to do this.

These COVID benefits – like all of our industry-leading wages and benefits – are significantly better than the benefits most workers receive, and a tribute to our shared commitment to make KP the best place to work as well as the best place to receive care. 

To learn more about how these changes and our bargaining priorities will affect you make sure to join our town hall Thursday, April 8, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.

Register by clicking here:

https://usw7600.ink/TH2

FAQ

Childcare Grant FAQ:

My child is returning to in person school, do I still qualify?
If an employee’s children are enrolled in full-time care or school, they will not be eligible if the school or child care is open full-time for in-person instruction or care. However, if the child’s school or day care center is only partially reopened the employee will remain eligible. In case of school-aged children an attestation is required that school or child care facility is closed for full in-person instructions. For example, if the school is only open 3 days a week and full-time is 5 days, the employee will remain eligible. In another example, if school offering instruction 5 days a week but only 4 hours each day, the employee would remain eligible. The same program terms apply as previously.

How much is the grant?
The grant is up to $200 per week. Grant amount will be prorated if an employee worked less than 32 hours. The amount prorated for employees who work less than 32 hours will be the actual hours worked divided by 32. The minimum grant will be $140 per week.

When is the COVID Childcare grant extended through?
The childcare benefit is extended through June 5, 2021.

Who qualifies for the childcare grant?
Full-time, part-time, and on-call employees working at least 20 hours per week who are required to report in-person to work at a KP facility are eligible for the stipend. Employees working remotely/at home are not eligible.

What types of working hours qualifies?
Eligible hours are those hours worked in a facility. Time-off benefits do not count towards calculation. 

What is full time?
Full time is defined as 32+ hours.

What type of childcare does it cover?
Childcare for school-aged (14 yrs. or younger) and disabled dependent children. This includes any eligible child an employee has covered as a dependent. For school aged children, the school must be closed for full in-person instruction and the employee must provide attestation by the school. KP reserves the right to validate this information.

I have multiple children; do I qualify for $200 for each child?
No, the maximum amount is $200 per household.

Who is an eligible caregiver?
Eligible caregivers exclude spouse or domestic partner residing in the child’s home. Other relatives are eligible.

CALIFORNIA COVID LEAVE LAW FAQ:

How many hours of COVID Paid leave does the new law allow for?
The maximum total amount is up to 80 hours of COVID-19 paid leave (above the amount of sick leave an employee already receives.) Full-time employees are eligible up to 80 hours; non-full-time employees are eligible for a prorated amount based on actual hours worked; 0.5 FTE would receive up to 40 hrs.

When does the new California COVID leave Law apply?
It applies retroactively January 1, 2021, and extends through September 30, 2021.

Who does this law apply to?
Anyone on KP’s payroll in California regions is eligible, including non-benefit eligible employees, those required to report to work at a KP facility or directed to work at a non-KP facility. Telecommuters and employees participating in the Temporary Remote Work program are eligible only if they are unable to telework. 

 What does the COVID-19 paid leave cover?
Employees who:

  • Have COVID-19 symptoms and are seeking a medical diagnosis,
  • Are required to self-quarantine due to COVID-19 symptoms or other concerns, based on orders from a doctor or federal, state, or local authorities,
  • Provide care for a sick or exposed family member or a child if school or place of care is closed due to COVID-19 on the premises.
  • Need paid time off for COVID-19 vaccination or experiencing vaccine side effects.