TCC EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS:
H1N1 FAQs for employees |
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H1N1 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: EMPLOYEES
1. What are the symptoms of the flu?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), you may have the flu if you have some or all of these symptoms:
- fever*
- cough
- sore throat
- runny or stuffy nose
- body aches
- headache
- chills
- fatigue
- sometimes diarrhea and vomiting
*It’s important to note that not everyone with the flu will have a fever.
2. What should I do if I have flu-like symptoms?
Stay away from work, advise your supervisor, and follow the CDC guidelines:
- Stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine.)
- Keep away from others as much as possible. This is to keep you from making others sick.
- Drink clear fluids (such as water, broth, sports drinks, electrolyte beverages for infants) to keep from being dehydrated.
- Throw away your used tissues and other disposable items in the trash. Wash your hands after touching used tissues and similar waste.
- Have everyone in the household wash hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Clean dishes, glasses, and silverware in a dishwasher or with hot soapy water.
Teaching faculty experiencing flu-like symptoms should inform their respective dean or other appropriate administrator as soon as possible to facilitate a decision regarding substitute instructor(s) for the class(es) that will be missed. Instructors are encouraged to develop contingency plans and implement arrangements, such as placing course materials in a course shell in Blackboard,
in advance to insure coverage should they become ill and need to be absent for an extended period of time.
3. Can I work if I am exhibiting flu-like symptoms?
If you are unable to perform your duties and responsibilities, or if you appear to be exposing others to the flu, you will be directed to leave the workplace. You will be placed on leave or on leave without pay if you are out of leave. Wage employees are compensated only for the hours they actually work.
4. Can my supervisor require me to leave or stay away from the workplace?
Yes. These decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis in consultation with Human Resources. Supervisors will advise employees who appear to be sick that it is in their best interest, as well as the best interest of colleagues and the college, for them to leave and stay away from the workplace until they no longer pose a threat to the health of others.
5. If I am sent home by my supervisor and/or required to stay home, will I be
paid for that time?
Employees who are directed to stay home will be paid in accordance with the various applicable leave policies; however, if an employee has no leave, s/he will not be paid. Wage employees are compensated only for the hours they actually work.
6. Will I be allowed to take leave if I am sick?
Yes. Employees who are sick will be encouraged to take leave, rest, and take care so that they may return to work. The type of leave will depend upon your available leave balances and your requested usage of that leave. If no leave is available, you will be placed on leave without pay. Wage employees are compensated only for the hours they actually work.
7. What type of leave may I take?
For full-time employees, several types of leave may be available depending on your employee classification (e.g., 12-month faculty, 9-month faculty, or classified) including traditional sick leave or VSDP sick leave, annual leave, and leave without pay. For specific information on the type(s) of leave that may be available to you, go to the benefits description at the appropriate link below:
8. Is flu-like illness covered by FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act) for
me?
An employee may be entitled to Family and Medical Leave. Specific criteria must be met – consult your Benefits Advisor in the Office of Human Resources.
9. Will I be allowed to take leave if I must care for a family member who is
sick?
The needs of the college will be considered prior to making this decision. However, an employee whose family member is sick may be entitled to leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Specific criteria must be met – consult your Benefits Advisor in the Office of Human Resources.
10. What if I am sick and do not have enough leave to cover my absence?
What if I cannot afford to stay home until I am completely well?
Depending upon your duties and responsibilities, the needs of the college, and your ability to work, your supervisor may allow you to work an alternate work schedule or from an alternate work site. Each request will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with the college's Policy on Alternative Work Arrangements. Ultimately, it may be necessary for you to experience some period of leave without pay.
11. If I am home sick, can I be required to perform work while at home?
No. If you are sick, you should take care, rest, and get better.
12. If I have a flu-like illness, when may I return to work?
TCC will follow the recommendations of the CDC. Currently, their guidance is to advise employees to remain at home – except to seek required medical care – until at least 24 hours have passed since being free of fever (100° F) or signs of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications.
13. Do I have to bring a note from a doctor to return to work?
In general, employees will not be required to produce a doctor’s note to validate their flu-like illness or to return to work, as doctor’s offices and medical facilities may be extremely busy and may not be able to provide such documentation in a timely way.
14. I am concerned about coming into contact with someone who may be ill.
What are my options?
Depending upon your duties and responsibilities and the needs of the college, you may be allowed to work an alternate work schedule and/or telework. Each request will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with the college's Policy on Alternative Work Arrangements. Eligible employees may also request to take annual leave.
15. May I request to go home if I do not want to be exposed to a sick
coworker who remains in the workplace?
Yes. With your supervisor's approval, you may leave work. Your supervisor is not required to approve the request. Time away from work will need to be covered by some type of leave, including leave without pay, if no paid leave is available. An alternative work arrangement may be another option.
16. Can I wear a disposable mask in the workplace?
According to the CDC, the use of facemasks in community and home settings is not generally recommended – for additional information go to http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/masks.htm. That said, if you believe that your health is at risk, a disposable mask is an option for you. The college does not provide disposable masks.
17. If there is an outbreak of flu-like illness, may I work an alternate schedule
or work from home or some other location so as to not come into contact with others who may be ill?
Depending upon your duties and responsibilities and the needs of the college, you may be allowed to work an alternate work schedule and/or telework. Each request will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with the college's Policy on Alternative Work Arrangements.
18. What happens if, while I am teleworking, I become too sick to continue?
If you are unable to perform your duties and responsibilities, you should notify your supervisor that you are sick and no longer working from an alternate location. At that time, you will be placed on leave or on leave without pay if you are out of leave. Wage employees are compensated only for the hours they actually work.
19. Am I allowed to bring my child(ren) to work if I have child care issues
because schools are closed?
No. TCC does not have facilities to provide care for the children of employees.
20. During a pandemic, may an employer require its employees to adopt
infection control practices?
Yes. Supervisors may require employees to observe infection control practices, such as regular hand washing, coughing and sneezing etiquette, and tissue usage and disposal.
21. Can my supervisor cancel my annual leave or scheduled time off during
an influenza outbreak?
Yes. Your supervisor may cancel pre-approved leave (or scheduled time off), especially in situations where there are serious staffing shortages.
22. I have instructed one of my employees to leave the work area and s/he
refuses. What do I do now?
Consult with your manager or department head and request assistance. Advise employees who appear to be sick that it is in their best interest as well as the best interest of their co-workers and the college for them to leave the workplace. Advise an employee who continues to remain at the workplace that a flu-like illness is a public health issue and non-compliance with direction to leave the workplace could lead to disciplinary action. Intervention on the part of your Executive Staff member may be requested.
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