Interim COVID-19 Leave additional hours and expansion of FMLA
April 1, 2020
Dear Warhawk Colleagues,
UW System has updated the Interim COVID-19 Leave Policy to increase the COVID-19 leave up to 272 hours (prorated on the % of FTE) for the period of March 17, 2020 through May 1, 2020. This policy applies to Faculty, Academic Staff, University Staff, Limited Appointees and Temporary Employees who are unable to perform their assigned duties because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Student employees are excluded from this process; however, there is work going to help student employees. This information will be forthcoming in the next couple of days.
Reasons for use of the COVID-19 Leave include those who are unable to perform their assigned duties due to:
- The inability to work remotely (telecommute);
- Self-quarantine;
- Self-isolation;
- Illness;
- Care of an immediate family member; or
- Child/elder care due to school day care closures.
This leave does not apply to those who are unable to perform their assigned duties, if they are a first responder or reassigned to other duties based on operational need and capacity.
Employees may use COVID-19 Leave prior to using any other accrued leave. The leave will expire on May 1, 2020 and may not be rolled over. Actual use of the COVID-19 Leave must be approved by the supervisor prior to use and subsequently approved on a time sheet (including monthly employees). For entering COVID-19 Leave, please review the information on the time sheet entry tip sheet.
Sick leave as defined in UW Administrative Policy 1212, Sick Leave may be used during the COVID-19 pandemic when unable to perform assigned duties as defined by the Interim COVID-19 Leave Policy.
UW System has implemented Interim Administrative Policy 1200-Interim 03, FMLA Expansion, which provides additional paid family and medical leave for a qualifying need related to a public health emergency. For the purposes of this policy, employees unable to work (or telecommute) due to a need for leave to care for children under 18 years of age because the school or place of care has been closed, or the childcare provider of such child is unavailable, due to a public health emergency. Hours claimed for COVID-19 Leave on or after April 1, 2020 count against the 12 weeks of leave available under the FMLA expansion. The United States Department of Labor has made available a poster identifying the Expansion of the Family Medical Leave during this time. Please review the poster, Employee Rights, for further information.
UW System President Ray Cross has indicated that employees will be granted vacation carryover flexibility due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. More information will be provided at a later date.
Thank you for all that you are doing to support the campus and each other during this time. It is important for you to know, your commitment and dedication is recognized by the Cabinet and the UW System leadership. If you have any questions, please reach out to Human Resources and Diversity at hr@uww.edu.
Be safe and healthy everyone!
Janelle A. Crowley, Ph.D.
Chief Human Resources Officer