Temporary Additional Paid Sick Leave

Policy

Regular benefits-eligible employees, those who have exhausted their paid sick leave and vacation balances, and regular part-time employees that do not have sick or vacation leave will be assisted with additional paid sick leave benefits for periods of temporary absence due to the current COVID-19 pandemic that results in the employee being unable to work (or telework).

For benefits-eligible employees this benefit is to help bridge the gap between sick and vacation leave and extended sick leave (ESL) eligibility. Employees eligible for ESL benefits will be paid under the ESL policy.

For part-time employees this benefit provides a temporary paid leave to help them care for themselves in the event of a COVID-19 exposure or illness.

The university may approve these additional paid sick leave benefits under limited circumstances, including:

• An employee has been exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19, needs to self-quarantine, and is unable to perform their job duties remotely.
• An employee has a confirmed case of COVID-19 (or is caring for their child, spouse, parent, or parent-in-law who has a confirmed case of COVID-19), and is unable to perform their job duties remotely.
• Other extraordinary circumstances, as determined by Human Resources.

Eligible employees under this temporary policy will receive paid sick leave benefits that will begin after all other paid leave available is exhausted. For part-time employees, the paid sick leave benefits will begin immediately, since they do not have any previous balances of paid sick leave or other paid leave. Employees receiving paid sick leave benefits under this temporary policy will continue to receive their normal compensation for the work time missed according to their regular work schedule.

The university will review this temporary policy to determine whether the need for additional paid sick leave benefits persists and to adjust it, as needed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The maximum benefit for an employee is 15 working days in a fiscal year. It is not an accrued benefit and cannot be rolled over to another fiscal year.

Procedure

Employees that are requesting to utilize the additional paid sick leave benefits under this policy will need to complete the Additional Paid Sick Leave Request form with their supervisor and return it to Human Resources for a determination.  Human Resources will make a determination and notify both the employee and supervisor. For approved requests, the university will process the credited paid sick time on their usual payroll for the length of time approved.