October 29, 2009 - Additional Temporary Change to the University’s Sick Leave Policy

Given the recent rise in influenza like illness across campus, it is extremely important that employees continue to practice caution and good hygiene when on and off-campus. Also, employees are to refrain from bringing dependents with flu-like symptoms to the workplace.

During this flu season, please be reminded of the temporary changes to the University’s Sick Leave Policy, whereas:

Employees with flu-like symptoms are encouraged to stay away from campus until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever, or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medicines. For this specific instance, supervisors are asked to not require a doctor’s note to validate illness for sick leave or for authorization 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 manner. All employees not reporting to work must follow the appropriate call in procedures and must contact the Human Resources Office, prior to returning to work, so we can monitor the H1N1 situation here at Wheeling Jesuit University.

Absences will be charged to an employee’s leave as appropriate. However, if an employee does not have sufficient sick leave to cover the period of time when he/she is absent because of the employee's own flu-like illness or to take care of an immediate family member with a flu-like illness the employee may borrow against future sick leave accruals, as applicable, up to 7 working days to cover the time away.

These temporary exceptions to the sick leave policy are for this particular situation only. Any employee questions or concerns can be directed to the Human Resources Office at (304) 243-8159.

September 23, 2009 - Additional Temporary Change to the University’s Sick Leave Policy

As a result of our first and only confirmed case of H1N1 last Friday, Wheeling Jesuit University is continuing to monitor the 2009 H1N1 Flu pandemic and is proactively working to keep this pandemic from impacting our campus. Employees with flu-like symptoms are reminded and are strongly advised to stay away from campus until at last 24 hours after they are free of fever, or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications.

Employees must contact their supervisor to report off work and absences will be charged to the employee's leave as appropriate. If an employee does not have sufficient sick leave to cover the period of time when he/she is absent because of the employee's own flu-like illness or to take care of an immediate family member with a flu-like illness the employee may borrow against future sick leave accruals, as applicable, up to 7 working days to cover the time away. This temporary exception to the sick leave policy is for this particular situation and will be in effect immediately and until further notice.

September 17, 2009 - 2009 H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) - Temporary Change to the University’s Sick Leave Policy

Wheeling Jesuit University is closely monitoring and complying with the Center for Disease Control’s recommendations and local health officials’ guidance for managing the 2009 H1N1 Flu pandemic, should it impact our campus. The following changes to Wheeling Jesuit’s sick leave policies are in effect immediately and until further notice.

Employees with flu-like symptoms are encouraged to stay away from campus until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever, or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medicines. Employees must contact the Human Resources Office, prior to returning to work, so we can monitor the H1N1 situation here at Wheeling Jesuit University.

For this specific instance, supervisors are asked to not require a doctor’s note to validate illness for sick leave or for authorization 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 manner. All employees not reporting to work must follow the appropriate call in procedures. Absences will be charged to an employee’s leave as appropriate.

You are strongly advised to increase your awareness of good hygiene habits. Prevention is the BEST medicine! Any employee questions or concerns can be directed to the Human Resources Office at 304-243-8159.