COVID-19 Benefits and Resources
For City of Eugene Employees
To help reduce economic stress and assist City of Eugene employees affected by the COVID-19 outbreak, the City has implemented temporary policies and benefits to provide eligible COE employees with job-protected leave and alternative pay options. Information on these policies and other benefits and resources are described below.
Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)
The FFCRA includes two temporary benefit programs available to COE Employees: Emergency Paid Sick Leave and Expanded Family and Medical Leave.
Click on the tabs below for more information.
- Emergency Paid Sick Leave
- Expanded Family and Medical Leave
- Emergency Leave Donations
- Negative Balance / Leave Exceptions
- Other Benefits
Emergency Paid Sick Leave (EPSL)
EPSL allows employees who are not able to perform available work or telework to access up to 2 weeks of paid and protected sick leave for a qualifying COVID-19 related reason.
Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act (EFMLA)
Expanded Family and Medical Leave adds a new reason to take FMLA, to care for your child whose school or place of care is closed due to COVID-19 related reasons.
Emergency Leave Donation
The City has implemented temporary Emergency Leave Donation programs to allow all Regular and Limited Duration employees to donate accrued leave to help other employees impacted by a declared major disaster. Employees may donate to the City’s COVID-19 Leave Donation Program and/or the Oregon Wildfires Leave Donation Program. Donated leave is available for use by other eligible employees.
Emergency Leave Donation Program FAQ
COVID-19 Leave Donation Program
- COVID-19 Leave Donation Program Policy
- COVID-19 Leave Donation Request Form *
- COVID-19 Leave Donation Donor Form *
Oregon Wildfires Leave Donation Program
- Oregon Wildfires Leave Donation Program Policy
- Oregon Wildfires Leave Donation Request Form *
- Oregon Wildfires Leave Donation Donor Form *
*Internet Explorer works best when submitting forms.
Negative Leave and Leave Balance Exceptions
In an effort to limit economic hardship to employees during the COVID-19 emergency period, the City of Eugene has implemented temporary policies allowing employees to use all available leave balances, and to carry up to two weeks negative vacation or PTO leave balances when earned vacation/PTO leave balances are exhausted.
Talk with your supervisor to explore flexible work options that may reduce or eliminate the need for negative leave balances or leave balance exceptions. Negative leave balances will need to be paid back. Please review the policy below for more information.
Effective from 9/8/20-9/20/20 in response to the wildfire emergency, the City is temporarily amending the flexible leave policy to remove the need to exhaust vacation or PTO leave prior to using other leave banks for any reason.
Temporary COVID-19 Leave Balances Exceptions and Allowance for Negative Leave Balances Policy
Employee Assistance Programs
The City offers free confidential counseling and problem-solving services via our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through Cascade Behavioral Health and EAP to all City regular employees. At this time, they are still open, and offering appointments. They can be reached at 541-228-3000. Visit the Training & Engagement tab for a collection of Wellbeing trainings.
Voluntary Furlough
The Voluntary Furlough policy encourages employees to help reduce payroll costs by requesting unpaid time off. Eligible employees are provided the opportunity to request unpaid time off while maintaining seniority and benefits (some restrictions may apply).
VOYA Deferred Comp
Market Volatility
In regards to recent market volatility caused by the Coronavirus, Voya is actively keeping their website updated with news and resources. Please reference the Voya website directly for current information. VOYA also recommends the following resources:
Coronavirus-Related Distributions
The City has added provisions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security(CARES) Act to the City’s Deferred Compensation Plan that waive minimum required distributions and allow for new Coronavirus-Related Distributions (CRDs) through December 31, 2020. Qualified plan participants may take CRDs due to adverse financial consequences from COVID-19. Taxes are reduced and funds can be redeposited for these types of distributions. For more information see the Voya website or contact your local Voya office at 541-343-6759.
FSA for Child Care Change Instructions
If you’re enrolled in the Flexible Spending Account plan for dependents and need to change your elections due to your care needs changing, see instructions on how to change your dependent care FSA.
Other Health Resources
The City of Eugene recently added Teledoc to the existing health care plans. For more information visit the Pacific Source website. All co-pays, deductibles and co-insurance will be waived for Teledoc services. Please note that Teledoc cannot do testing for COVID-19 but may be an option for other medical and behavior health services.
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing and diagnosis related visits will be covered at no cost.