COVID-19 Employee Resources
Important public health information and resources for Ithaca College staff and faculty.
Employee Preparedness & Responsibilities
All employees working on campus, even if only occasionally, are required to adhere to all CDC (Centers for Disease Control), NYS, local health department, and Ithaca College guidelines, policies, and procedures at all times.
All employees are urged to take basic preventive measures to prepare themselves and their families to avoid exposure to or infection by the viruses causing COVID-19. Employees are encouraged to contact the College's Employee Assistance Program at 800-327-2255 for help with feelings of stress or anxiety about these events.
Employees are entitled to at least 14* days of paid COVID-19 sick leave while they are subject to a mandatory or precautionary order of quarantine or isolation issued by the NYS Department of Health (or any governmental entity similarly authorized). In no event shall an employee qualify for sick leave under New York’s COVID-19 sick leave law for more than three orders of quarantine or isolation. The second and third orders must be based on a positive COVID-19 test and the employee must submit documentation from a licensed medical provider or testing facility attesting that the employee has tested positive for COVID-19.
Isolation is for individuals who have been infected with COVID-19 and who have an active fever and symptoms. Employees who receive a positive COVID-19 test result, regardless of vaccination status, are subject to a mandatory order of isolation and must isolate for as long as they have a fever. Once an employee no longer has a fever and has resolving symptoms, they may return to work and take appropriate precautions for the following 5 days. Appropriate precautions include wearing a face covering. If these employees are able to work from home, they may do so while under an order of isolation. If the employee is unable to work from home, and this is their first order of isolation or quarantine, the employee must:
- Notify their supervisor that they are unable to report to work.
- Obtain an affirmation of isolation accompanied by documentation from a licensed medical provider or testing facility and submit to humanresources-hipaa@ithaca.edu.
- Record their paid time away using the COVID-19 absence type up to 14 days. The number of paid days are calendar days, and the pay required should represent the amount of money that the employee would have otherwise received during the period of quarantine, up to 14 days of paid time. Employees who are unable to return to work after 14 days should record the first 5 additional days as sick paid time away. Beyond the 5 sick paid time away days, the employee should apply for short term disability benefits for compensation during the rest of their isolation. Employees should reach out to benefits@ithaca.edu for eligibility, instruction, and benefit overview.
The second and third leaves must be based on a positive COVID-19 test.
Employees who receive a positive COVID-19 test result, regardless of vaccination status, are subject to a mandatory order of isolation and must isolate for as long as they have a fever. Once an employee no longer has a fever and has resolving symptoms they may return to work. If these employees are able to work from home, they may do so while under an order of isolation. If the employee is symptomatic or unable to work from home and this is their second or third order of quarantine or isolation, the employee must:
- Notify their supervisor that they are unable to report to work.
- Obtain an affirmation of isolation accompanied by documentation from a licensed medical provider or testing facility and submit to humanresources-hipaa@ithaca.edu.
- Record their paid time away using the COVID-19 absence type. Beyond the 14 days, employees should record the first 5 additional days needed as sick paid time away. Beyond the 5 sick paid time away days, the employee should apply for short term disability benefits for compensation during the rest of their isolation. Employees should reach out to benefits@ithaca.edu for eligibility, instruction, and benefit overview.
Quarantine/Isolation of an Employee’s Minor Dependent Child
Most employees whose minor dependent child is under a mandatory or precautionary order of quarantine or isolation issued by the state of New York, the Department of Health, local board of health, or any government entity duly authorized to issue such order due to COVID-19, may be eligible to take Paid Family Leave to care for them. Eligibility for covered employees is the same as it is for other Paid Family Leave.
Employees who have already used the three paid leaves will be required to utilize their own PTA balances if they are unable to report to work due to a positive COVID-19 test, or mandatory order of isolation or quarantine, regardless of vaccination status. In keeping with current policy, if an employee is unable to report to work for any reason, the employee is expected to notify their supervisor as soon as possible that they will be unable to report to work. Employees who are actively experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 should self-test and/or seek medical attention from their health care provider before returning to work. Employees with questions about pay practices and the need to use accrued sick PTA balances, short-term disability (if applicable), or Paid Family Leave, should contact benefits@ithaca.edu.
