minutes then quick release

Administration

OCR continued from page 9

For more information about the DBE Program, contact Dan Williams, DBE Program Supervisor, at daniel.k.williams@hawaii.gov.

EEO

Perhaps more than ever, it is important to remember that our State government and HDOT in particular, are committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. Since it is reported that older individuals and those with pre-existing medical conditions may be more adversely affected, and as the COVID-19 illness did not originate within the United States, there are potential civil rights issues that could arise within the workplace. It is important to treat employees equally and apply policies without discrimination, and that if employers/employees obtain any confidential medical information, they will need to keep it confidential. Please remember that even during a Global Crisis, we are the Aloha State and we can maintain the Aloha spirit through any changes that need to take place.

For more information about the EEO Program, contact Zachariah Wadsack, EEO Program Specialist, at zachariah.k.wadsack@ hawaii.gov.

Title VI

HDOT staff are reminded that language access is not “on hold” during this time of crisis and that those personnel that work with the public should continue to provide language access on request when the situation arises. In the event of a need of interpreter services, the office seeking said services will need to perform an applicable small purchase or competitive sealed bid procurement (with the exemptions from §103D as 3-120-4 and Exhibit A, Hawaii Administrative Rules are applicable) as the previous State Procurement Office (SPO) Price List Contract for telephone-based interpreter services (16-05) has expired and SPO is currently negotiating a new contract. Please see https://spo.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Notice-16-05-A-Exe.pdf.

For more information about the Title VI program, Environmental Justice and Language Access, contact Randall Landry, Title VI Program Specialist, at randall.t.landry@hawaii.gov.

Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 By: Rey Domingo

Effective April 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) provides employees paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19: For more information regarding these leaves, please refer to DOL’s website at this URL: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic.

Recommended references are:

(1) Employee is subject to a Federal, State, or local quarantine or isolation order related to COVID-19;

(2) Employee has been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine related to COVID-19;

(3) Employee is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and is seeking a medical diagnosis; (4) Employee is caring for an individual who is in (1) or self-quarantine as described in (2);

(5) Employee is caring for his or her child whose school or place of care is closed (or child care provider is unavailable) due to COVID-19 related reasons; or

(6) Employee is experiencing any other substantially-similar condition specified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. • Employee Paid Leave Requirements: https:// www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic/ffcra-employee-paid-leave

• Employer Paid Leave Requirements: https:// www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic/ffcra-employer-paid-leave

• Families First Coronavirus Response Act Questions and Answers: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic/ffcra-questions

• Employee Rights Poster: https://www.dol.gov/ sites/dolgov/files/WHD/posters/FFCRA_Poster_WH1422_Non-Federal.pdf

Please contact the department or your division’s HR office should you have questions.

Harbors Division Welcomes New Employee

Congratulations to Amgad “AJ” Youssef who recently joined the Harbors Division as a Harbor Enforcement Officer II in the Harbor Police, Enforcement Unit. AJ joins us with vast experience in investigations, facility protection and law enforcement.

“I believe he will be an excellent addition to our unit and the Harbors Division,” said Sergeant & Harbor Enforcement Officer III Gabriel Delapenia.

By: Gabriel Delapenia