The Public Health Emergency Leave program under the Healthy Families Workplace Act has been expanded to include RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) and influenza as well as Covid-19. PHEL will cover up to 80 total hours of leave. For example, an employee who has already used 40 hours of PHEL will have 40 remaining hours that could be applied to RSV-, influenza- or Covid-19-related leave in the future.
At this time, the additional illnesses are covered for 30 days following the most recent update Dec. 10, expiring Jan. 9.
The federal government has indicated there will be a 60-day notice period before an end to PHEL. If the program is not extended, it will remain available for 90 days after the expiration date and then for four weeks after the conclusion of the 90 days.
Colorado’s 80-hour PHEL is ongoing and continues for as long as a federal or state Public Health Emergency is declared [C.R.S. § 8-13.3-402(9)] — and while state public-health orders have been scaled back, federal and Colorado Public Health Emergencies are declared at this time. This 80-hour PHEL will continue until four weeks after all applicable Public Health Emergency declarations end or are suspended. Based on the current emergency declarations, PHEL will continue at least into February but will continue longer if either the federal or the state Public Health Emergency declaration is renewed further. For more information on paid sick leave, please see the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment Division of Labor Standards and Statistics webpage.
Employees should contact Amanda Berry, director of total rewards, to discuss available leave options under the Healthy Families Workplace Act.