Please review the following updates to the time-off policies at Essex.

Acknowledge the new Time Off policies
All associates will be required to acknowledge the full Time Off Work section using the Learning Bridge (LMS). Please read and acknowledge the Time Off Work section of the Associate Handbook by going here: Learning Bridge (LMS) - Time Off Work
 
Instructions for logging on to the LMS can be found on the Training website: http://wiki/display/TRAIN/EssexU--Learning+Bridge

Effective April 17, 2015: Bereavement Leave Policy
Associates are allowed up to two consecutive days off from regularly scheduled work in the event of the death of an immediate or extended family member as paid bereavement leave.  The two consecutive days of paid bereavement leave shall be used to allow an associate to plan and/or attend funeral and memorial services. Family members include: an associate’s parent and parent-in-law, child, son-in-law and daughter-in-law, spouse, registered domestic partner, grandparent, sibling, aunt and uncle, niece and nephew.

An associate who wishes to take time off for bereavement leave should notify his or her supervisor immediately. An associate may, with his or her supervisor’s approval, use any available PTO for additional time off as necessary.

Effective July 1, 2015: Healthy Workplace Healthy Family Act of 2014 (AB 1522) (CA Sick Leave Law)
Associates who work in California for 30 or more days within a year from the beginning of employment are entitled to paid sick leave. Associates, including part-time and temporary associates, will also be eligible for paid sick leave. Accrual begins on the first day of employment or July 1, 2015, whichever is later.

Our PTO policy already complies with this law. Associates will not receive additional sick time. After, July 1, 2015, associates will see an option to choose “sick” in Kronos in addition to PTO planned and PTO unplanned. If “sick” is chosen it will be applied towards the associate’s PTO balance. The “sick” designation is for tracking purposes only. All paid time off (with the exception of Bereavement Leave and Jury Duty Leave), will be applied towards your PTO balance.

Effective July 1, 2015: Negative PTO accrual
 Associates are currently allowed to borrow up to 16 hours of PTO (“negative PTO accrual”) if they need to take time off and do not have an accrued PTO balance. As of July 1, 2015, negative PTO accrual will no longer be offered to associates. After July 1, 2015, associates who do not have accrued PTO and wish to take time off may request the time off as unpaid with the approval of their supervisor.
 
Please email humanresources@essex.com with any questions regarding these changes.