Printed on: 05/27/2023. Please go to policy.umn.edu for the most current version of the document.
University of Minnesota  Appendix

University Emergency Paid Leave for COVID-19

The COVID-19 emergency paid leave did not end with the lifting of the University's Declaration of Emergency, and will continue until further notice. Faculty, staff, and student workers who have a remaining balance under this paid leave can use it for COVID-related reasons including receiving and recovering from vaccination. This is an annual calendar year leave and the hours available are reset on January 1 each year. We will review the need for this leave in 2023 and provide communication on its status later in this calendar year.

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Reasons for University Emergency Paid Leave

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, this policy ensures that employees have access to emergency paid leave for any COVID-19 related reasons in order to maintain the health and well-being of the University community. This Appendix operationalizes the administrative leave outlined in Administrative Policy: University State of Emergency: Human Resources Implications; it is not in addition to that leave.

As set forth below, the University provides emergency paid leave of up to 80 hours each calendar year to eligible faculty, professional and administrative staff, civil service, labor represented, graduate assistants, professionals-in-training, and student workers (“eligible individuals”) to be used in the case of quarantine, isolation or family care needs related to COVID-19 exposure, illness or other related scenarios.

Eligibility

Employees will receive up to 80 hours (prorated for part-time employees) of University Emergency Paid Leave when they are unable to work or telework because of the following:

  • they are subject to a government quarantine or isolation due to COVID-19;
  • they have been advised by a healthcare provider to self-quarantine due to COVID-19;
  • they are experiencing the symptoms of COVID-19 and are seeking a diagnosis;
  • they are caring for an individual subject to or advised to quarantine or isolate; or
  • they are caring for a child whose school or childcare is closed or unavailable or assisting with the relocation of a college-age child due to COVID-19.

In any given week during the emergency, the employee may use up to the number of hours they would normally be scheduled to work in that for any of the reasons stated above. This leave must be taken during the term of the declared emergency, within normally scheduled work hours. University Emergency Paid Leave runs concurrently with eligible FMLA leave, if the type of absence qualifies.

Reporting Leave

Eligible individuals must notify their supervisor, and follow any unit work rules for calling in sick or reporting an absence.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. If an eligible employee uses University Emergency Paid Leave, does the employee also have to use paid medical or sick leave?

    No, this University Emergency Paid Leave is related to COVID-19, and is in addition to paid medical leave or sick leave for which the employee may be eligible.

  2. Can voluntary short term disability coverage through Unum be used if an employee is currently covered?

    Yes, this is a fully insured product. The employee would continue to follow the standard process to file a claim directly with Unum. The approval and payment process from Unum does not impact paid time received under this policy.

  3. Can this leave be used by an employee experiencing adverse effects after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine?

    Yes, an employee can use this leave to recover at home if they are experiencing an adverse reaction after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Alternatively, an employee can use this leave to care for a family member who is experiencing an adverse reaction after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine and needs to recover at home.

  4. Can this leave be used to receive the COVID-19 vaccine?

    Yes, an employee can use this leave to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Alternatively, an employee can use this leave to take a family member to receive the vaccine.