Dear UM Faculty & Staff,
The following information is provided as an update and follow-up to the procedures recently published in the Vallo Voice (COVID-19 Isolation and Self-Monitoring Protocol for Spring 2022 Semester).
Please be advised of the following temporary administrative guidance, specific to our workforce and addresses how we will respond to situations that directly affect our employees during the Spring 2022 semester.
All COVID cases should be immediately reported to your supervisor and Human Resources at HR@montevallo.edu or by phone 205-665-6055. HR will provide specific guidance based on the scenario described and in accordance with UM protocol.
President Stewart has authorized the continuation of the aggregate 80-hour paid leave benefit that was implemented last Fall for absences related to COVID-19 in accordance with the following scenarios:
Confirmed Positive: Employees who test positive for COVID-19 will be required to follow the guidelines stated in the Protocol document, which includes a five-day isolation period, off campus, followed by a five day self-monitoring period which can be done while at work as long as the employee can practice extra precautions (i.e., wear a mask at all times, wash hands often and avoid direct contact with other individuals) and if the employee experienced no fever w/o medication and symptoms resolved 24-hours prior to returning to campus.
Employees who test positive for COVID-19 and are able to work from home should do so (i.e., if symptoms allow and the employee’s duties are conducive to remote work). Employees who cannot work from home will receive paid leave for the five-day isolation period. Employees should indicate whether they are working from home or utilizing paid leave for COVID-19 in the comment section of their time sheet/leave report—an employee must notify HR and indicate the specific dates/hours they are unable to work on their time sheet or leave report.
The university will grant a total of 80 cumulative hours of paid leave for missed work when an employee is not able to work from home. Medical documentation/results affirming the positive test will be required before work from home or paid leave will be approved.
Children/Disabled/Elder Care: Children and disabled or elderly relatives of employees or others residing in the same household as the employee, and who are required to quarantine due to close contact or who tested positive and require the care or supervision of the employee during a period of quarantine or isolation, should work from home if possible (i.e., if symptoms allow and the employee’s duties are conducive to remote work).
Employees who cannot work from home will receive paid leave for up to 10 days (80 hours) of quarantine or isolation. Employees should indicate whether they are working from home or utilizing paid leave for COVID-19 Child/Disabled/Elder Care in the comment section of their time sheet/leave report–an employee must notify HR and indicate the specific dates/hours they are unable to work on their time sheet or leave report.
The university will grant a total of 80 cumulative hours of paid leave for missed work when an employee is not able to work from home. Medical documentation, a positive test, school notice, or other attestation affirming the circumstances will be required before work from home or paid leave will be approved.
Close Contact: Employees who come in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 are not required to exit the workplace to quarantine, regardless of vaccination status (per Alabama law). However, in accordance with the Protocol document, employees determined by UM personnel as having been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 are asked to comply with the following Close-Contact Protocol:
–Employees who can work on campus should self-monitor for 10 days, practicing strict social distancing, wearing a mask at all times, and washing hands often.
-Employees who cannot work on campus should self-monitor for 5 days at home and, unless symptoms develop, return to work on campus on day 6 to self-monitor for five additional days while practicing strict social distancing, wearing a mask at all times, and washing hands often.
-In either of the aforementioned scenarios, if an employee develops symptoms or tests positive, he/she will transition to the isolation category and should isolate at home for 5 days or until symptom free. If symptom free on day 5, the employee should return to campus on day 6 and, for an additional five days, practice strict social distancing, wear a mask at all times, and wash hands often.
The Omicron variant is extremely transmissible. Please remember:
- Get a COVID-19 PCR test within 3 to 5 days from last exposure (the most recent contact with the person who tested positive).
- Wear a mask and maintain physical distance of at least 3 feet from others for 10 days from last exposure.
- Monitor symptoms for 10 days from last exposure and get tested for COVID-19 if symptoms develop.
- Regularly clean hands and high touch surface areas.
Employees should report all Confirmed Positive, Caregiver, and Close Contact COVID-19 situations to their supervisor and to Human Resources so that arrangements for duties and/or a leave of absence can be properly addressed. Additionally, tracking this information is critical to our goal of reducing the negative impacts of COVID-19 on our campus community. Accordingly, University administration will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and reserves the right to change protocol and this temporary employee guidance when the safety of our faculty, staff, and students warrant.
Please direct questions regarding the information contained in this message to Human Resources at hr@montevallo.edu or 205-665-6055.