Guidance for Managing COVID-19 in the Workplace

This guidance has been developed to help employees and supervisors follow proper protocol for a variety of scenarios in the workplace regarding COVID-19. This document is not intended to capture every possible scenario but, rather, is a reflection of the most common scenarios that may be presented. This document will be updated with additional information and guidance as it comes available and as the University moves from summer into fall and the State moves through the phases of the Governor's Restore Illinois plan. Questions, comments or concerns about the information presented should be submitted to covid19_hrquestions@ilstu.edu.

Individuals who seek COVID-19 testing and treatment are often being told to relay information directly to his or her supervisor. In order to protect an employee's personal health information and ensure all necessary procedures are carried out, Human Resources requests that employees provide information directly to the Benefit Counselors in Human Resources. Supervisors will be notified as appropriate.

Individuals who need to inform Human Resources of COVID-19 related information outside of normal business hours (Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.) should call (309) 438-5507. Please leave a message with relevant details for your call and contact information. A member of the Human Resources team will be in contact with you as soon as possible.

Employees who feel ill, whether related to COVID-19 or an unrelated illness, should stay home and seek medical attention if appropriate. Student employees or graduate assistants should contact Student Health Services (SHS) for assistance. Keep in mind that employees requesting time away from work should follow normal call-in procedures and protocols for their department and report time away from work in accordance with University policy.

Employee Related COVID-19 Scenarios

Scenario 1: Employee has symptoms consistent with COVID-19.
Scenario 2: Employee believes he or she may have been exposed to COVID-19 but has not been deemed a close contact.
Scenario 3: Employee is positive or presumptive positive for COVID-19, OR, employee has been notified that he or she is a close contact of a positive individual by a local health department.
Scenario 4: Employee is currently being tested for COVID-19.

In the case of an employee who is:

symptomatic (experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19)

The employee should seek medical assistance from a health care provider. Employees requesting time away from work should follow normal call-in procedures and protocols for their department and report time away from work in accordance with University policy.

If the employee is directed to self-quarantine by a health care provider, the employee should contact Human Resources at 309-438-8311 and request to speak with their Benefits Counselor to discuss a leave of absence. In certain cases, work at home may be appropriate.

If the employee is not directed to self-quarantine by a health care provider, the employee may return to work if they feel able and should continue to adhere to social distancing guidelines, use standard hygiene, and continue to wash hands frequently. The employee may also use benefit time, in conjunction with department polices and call-in procedures, if they are still not feeling well enough to work.

In the case of an employee who:

believes that he or she has or may have been exposed to someone who is symptomatic but has been not deemed a close contact.
believes that he or she may have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 but has not been deemed a close contact.

The employee should seek medical advice from a health care provider on the next steps to take. Please follow the health care providers advice and notify Human Resources if you fall into any of the other scenarios after consulting your health care provider.

In the case of an employee who has:

tested positive for COVID-19
been deemed presumptive positive by a health care provider
been identified as a close contact of a positive individual by a local Health Department

The employee should contact Human Resources at (309) 438-8311 and request to speak with their Benefits Counselor to discuss a leave of absence. Employees will be required to self-isolate or self-quarantine as directed and will be allowed to return to work in accordance with CDC guidelines. In certain cases, work at home may be appropriate.

In the case of an employee who has sought testing for COVID-19 but has not yet received results, the employee is directed as follows:

Employees who were directed to self-quarantine by a test administrator/health care professional until test results are received should contact Human Resources at (309) 438-8311 and request to speak with their Benefits Counselor to discuss a leave of absence. In certain cases, work at home may be appropriate.
Employees who were not directed to self-quarantine by a test administrator/health care professional until test results are received and are experiencing no symptoms may return to work.
Employees who were not directed to self-quarantine by a test administrator/health care professional until test results are received and are experiencing symptoms should discuss options with their health care provider before returning to work.
- Employees will be expected to notify Human Resources immediately if positive test results are received. Procedures for an individual who tests positive, as described in Scenario 3, will be followed.
- Employees who are experiencing symptoms or who wish to voluntarily self-quarantine until test results are received may do so and must contact Human Resources to discuss the use of benefit time and/or a leave of absence. In certain cases, work from home may be appropriate.

Individuals who need to inform Human Resources of COVID-19 related information over the weekend should call (309) 438-5507. Please leave a message with relevant details for your call and contact information. A member of the Human Resources team will be in contact with you as soon as possible.

Notification of Close Contacts

The identification of close contacts is typically done by the local health department by individuals trained in the criteria and factors that are needed to determine if someone is a close contact. The University does not notify employees or determine close contacts. If you have not been contacted, you are not a close contact. This process does not begin until the local health department receives a confirmed positive result.

If an individual believes that he or she has may have been exposed to someone who is symptomatic or to someone who has tested positive but has not been deemed a close contact, please follow the guidance for Scenario 2.

If an individual has been deemed a close contact of a positive individual, please follow the guidance for Scenario 3.

Directing Employees to Test

Supervisors should be aware that they should not direct an employee to seek or not seek testing for COVID-19. The decision to test should be made between the employee and his or her health care provider.

Leave of Absence Notes

In accordance with the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, the University has developed the Emergency Paid Sick Leave policy and application. Please contact your Benefit Counselor in Human Resources at (309) 438-8311 for further information after reviewing the policy, employee rights, and application materials.

COVID-19 Symptoms

Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fever
Chills
Muscle pain
Sore throat
New loss of taste or smell

This list does not contain all possible symptoms. Additional information can be found on the CDC website and the Illinois State Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response website.