This is a hybrid of answers from Vorys and OPRA. Please note that this is a quickly changing environment. We will work as quickly as we can to provide updates to information.

As a follow up on the need to give staff paid time off (to take care of children home from school) i am looking for some additional help with these questions:

• Will short term disability be an option for these employees who must stay home to care for children Probably not, but you’ll need to check the specifics of your plan. I would highly doubt it because the employee is not disabled in that situation, but you are correct to refer back to their plan.
• Will short term disability be an option for these employees who must stay home because they are demonstrating symptoms? My understanding is ONLY of they become incapacitated (need ventilator). You should check with your STD provider. You are again correct to refer back to the plan, but it is possible that STD benefits would be triggered for illness less severe than needing to be hooked to a respirator.
• What about staff who have been traveling using mass transit and may have been exposed, can we tell them to stay home without pay? It is important to be consistent among staff. I agree with the note about consistency.  In addition, in Ohio, this action could permit the employee to file for UE compensation benefits.