Agenda - Council - 09/13/2022 - Laserfiche WebLink

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During the public health emergency, employers' policies on COVID-19-related premium pay or hazard pay have varied widely, with many essential workers not yet compensated for the heightened risks they have faced and continue to face.259 Many of these workers earn lower wages on average and live in socioeconomically underserved communities as compared to the general population.260 A recent study found that 25 percent of essential workers were estimated to have low household income, with 13 percent in high -risk households.261 The low pay of many essential workers makes them less able to cope with the financial consequences of the pandemic or their work -related health risks. As Americans return to work and governments relax certain rules, essential workers will continue to bear the brunt of the risk of maintaining the ongoing operation of vital facilities and services. The added health risk to essential workers is one prominent way in which the pandemic has amplified pre-existing socioeconomic inequities. Premium pay is designed to address the disparity between the critical services provided by and the risks taken by essential workers and the relatively low compensation they tend to receive. The interim final rule established a three-part framework for recipients seeking to use SLFRF funds for premium pay. First, to receive premium pay one must be an eligible worker. Second, an eligible worker must also perform essential work. Finally, premium pay must respond to workers performing essential work during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Most of the comments received by Treasury pertaining to premium pay related to these three requirements. Comments also addressed the definition of premium pay generally and posed questions regarding premium pay program structuring. This section responds to the comments by 259 Economic Policy Institute, Only 30% of those working outside their home are receiving hazard pay (June 16, 2020), https://www.epi.org/press/only-30-of-those-working-outside-their-home-are-receiving-hazard-pay-black-and- hispanic-workers-are-most-concerned-about-bringing-the-coronavirus-home/. 260 McCormack, supra note 61. 261 Id. 220