- What is H1N1 Influenza?
- Am I at risk for complications of the flu?
- Is there is a vaccine for H1N1?
- What can I do to prevent the flu?
- What should I do if I am ill and think I might have H1N1 Influenza?
- What if I become ill, and am unable to contact my supervisor?
- What type of leave is available to me in the case of this H1N1 influenza outbreak or pandemic?
- Is the University considering any additional special types of leave?
- When I return to work, will I be required to present a medical certificate?
- What if I’m not sick, but I need to stay at home to care for my child or spouse/partner who has the flu?
- I’m not ill nor are my children, but their school or day care is closed and I have no one to watch them. What should I do?
- If I don’t have enough leave to cover my absence from work due the influenza outbreak or pandemic, how can I afford to stay at home until I am completely well before returning to work?
- If I am out from work because I have to care for my child or spouse/partner, but I am not sick and my circumstances permit me to work, can I work from home?
- Will my supervisor approve my request to work from home if there is an influenza outbreak?
- If I become sick at work can my supervisor make me leave work?
- What if I’m not sick, but do not want to come to work for fear of becoming ill. Is my supervisor required to approve my vacation leave request?
- During this H1N1 influenza outbreak under what circumstances could my supervisor cancel vacation leave requests that have already been approved?
- What if I use public transportation to travel to and from work, and, due to the influenza outbreak the public transit system shuts down and I am unable to get to work. Will I get paid for the day(s) off I am unable to get to work?
- Can my supervisor schedule me to work hours or shifts that I normally do not work?
- If there are large numbers of employees who are unable to come to work because of the influenza outbreak, can I be asked to work overtime hours?
- Should a significant influenza outbreak strike SCU, what assistance will be available to help me cope with its impact emotionally?
1. What is H1N1 Influenza?
H1N1 (“swine”) flu is a new influenza virus that was first detected in people in the United States and Mexico in the Spring of 2009. The H1N1 flu virus spreads from person-to-person, much like regular seasonal influenza does every year. Both seasonal influenza and the current H1N1 flu can vary in severity from mild to severe. If you contract influenza, you will probably have a fever (100° F or above) and flu like symptoms (cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headaches, body aches, fatigue, diarrhea or vomiting) Please see the Cowell Health Center website at http://www.scu.edu/cshc/ for additional information.
2. Am I at risk for complications of the flu?
Both with seasonal flu and the H1N1 flu, certain individuals are at high risk of serious complications. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), this H1N1 flu has caused greater disease burden in people younger than twenty five (25) years of age than older people. However, pregnancy and other previously recognized high risk medical conditions from seasonal influenza appear to be associated with increased risk from this novel H1N1. These underlying conditions include diabetes, heart disease, lung disease (including asthma), kidney disease, liver disease, compromised immune systems, neurocognitive and neuromuscular disorders. Check with your medical provider to see if you should receive the seasonal flu vaccine and/or the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available.
3. Is there is a vaccine for H1N1?
Currently, a vaccine is in production and health officials hope to have it ready for the public in the coming months. At this point, Cowell Health Center will not be providing H1N1 vaccine to faculty and staff due to limited supply of the vaccine, but it may consider doing so in the future if supply increases.
Cowell Health Center is sponsoring a seasonal flu vaccine clinic with Maxim Health Services on Wednesday, September 30, 2009 from 10:00a.m. – 5:00p.m. in Benson Center (Parlors B & C) Check with the Cowell Health Center for details regarding the seasonal flu vaccine.
4. What can I do to prevent the flu?
The Cowell Student Health Center advises you to take the precautions outlined below to help yourself and others stay healthy.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue away in a waste basket. If you do not have a tissue, sneeze or cough into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
- Wash your hands (for 20 seconds) often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleansers with at least 60% alcohol are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- If you get sick with influenza, stay home from work and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
For more information about how you can prevent the flu, visit the Centers for Disease Control H1N1 website at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/.
5. What should I do if I am ill and think I might have H1N1 Influenza?
First, familiarize yourself with the symptoms of H1N1 Influenza. These include fever (100° F or above) and flu like symptoms (cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headaches, bodyaches, fatigue, diarrhea or vomiting).
If you have these symptoms you should not come to work and should consult your personal physician or contact the nurse line associated with your current health plan. You will need to stay home for 24 hours after you no longer have a fever without using fever reducing medications.
As with any absence, you should promptly notify your supervisor that you will not be at work and the reason for the absence. You must also keep your supervisor informed of your condition or situation and your anticipated return to work date.
Visit SCU’s H1N1 Information page at (http://www.scu.edu/cshc/) for additional information or the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/ to obtain more information about the H1N1 influenza virus.
BLUE CROSS:
HMO: Phone: 1-800-629-4000
Group no: 175028H001
PPO (HSA): Phone: 1-800-629-4000
Group no: 175028
PPO (HIA): Phone: 1-800-629-4000
Group no: 175028
PPO (Traditional) Phone: 1-800-629-4000
Group no: 175028M007
http://www.anthem.com/wps/portal/ca/popcontent?content_path=shared/f0/s0/t0/pw_b131643.htm&label=H1N1%20Flu%20(Swine%20Flu):%20How%20to%20protect%20yourself.
KAISER: Phone no: (408) 554-9800
Group no: 979
https://members.kaiserpermanente.org/kpweb/detailPage.do?cfe=228&html=/htmlapp/feature/228colds/nat_info_about_H1N1_flu.html.
All of these lines are available twenty four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week, and have up to date information on the H1N1 flu.
6. What if I become ill, and am unable to contact my supervisor?
It’s very important to keep your supervisor informed. If you are unable to contact your supervisor because you are incapacitated or caring for an incapacitated family member, please ask another family member or a friend to contact your supervisor as soon as possible.
7. What type of leave is available to me in the case of this H1N1 influenza outbreak or pandemic?
All current available forms of leave may be considered for use in the event of an influenza outbreak or pandemic. In accordance with University policy, staff employees are entitled to use accrued sick leave for their own illness, illness of a family member and/or in some instances for personal reasons. [See Staff Policy Manual Policy 613 http://www.scu.edu/hr/policy/613.cfm] Family and Medical Leave may also apply in certain circumstances. Please contact the Department of Human Resources for details at (408) 554-4392 or (408) 551-1860.
8. Is the University considering any additional special types of leave?
If you do not have enough sick leave to cover the period of time you are absent because of the following:
- your own illness related to the H1N1 flu or
- to take care of a family member who has the H1N1 flu, or
- to take care of children who are no longer able to go to their regular child care or school due to an H1N1 related school/facility closure
You may borrow from your sick leave (allowing your sick leave balance to go into the negative) up to five (5) additional paid sick days (during the 2009/2010 academic year) to cover your time away. Employees requesting use of these additional sick days will be asked to complete a form certifying that they are using the time for an H1N1 related absence described above. The form can be located at
http://www.scu.edu/humanresources/pdf/h1n1_absence.pdf
For all other leave related questions please contact the Department of Human Resources as (408) 554-4392 or (408) 551-1860.
9. When I return to work, will I be required to present a medical certificate?
At this time if you were absent from work with flu like symptoms, you will not be required to present a medical certificate.
10. What if I’m not sick, but I need to stay at home to care for my child or spouse/partner who has the flu?
All employees are advised to develop contingency plans to meet their work obligations should family members become sick and need to be cared for. Employees must inform their supervisor, in advance, of personal situations that could impact their ability to perform their job functions. Supervisors are asked to be flexible in responding to situations to help employees balance family and work obligations. Employees facing this situation may utilize sick time in this instance.
11. I’m not ill nor are my children, but their school or day care is closed and I have no one to watch them. What should I do?
All employees are advised to develop contingency plans to meet their work obligations. Employees should inform their supervisor, in advance, of personal situations that could impact their ability to perform their essential functions. Supervisors are asked to be flexible in responding to situations to help employees balance family and work obligations. Employees facing this situation may utilize sick time in this instance.
12. If I don’t have enough leave to cover my absence from work due the influenza outbreak or pandemic, how can I afford to stay at home until I am completely well before returning to work?
It is very important that you do not return to work until your fever has subsided for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications. For more information about the H1N1 virus and its symptoms, visit the SCU Cowell Health Center website at http://www.scu.edu/cshc/ or the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/.
During the 2009/2010 academic year, if you do not have enough sick leave to cover the period of time you are absent because illness related to the H1N1 flu you may borrow from your sick leave up to five (5) additional paid sick days [allowing your sick leave balance to go into the negative] to cover your time away. Employees requesting use of these additional sick days will be asked to complete a form certifying that they are using the time for an H1N1 related absence described above. The form can be located at the following link: http://www.scu.edu/humanresources/pdf/h1n1_absence.pdf
For all other leave related questions please contact the Department of Human Resources as (408) 554-4392 or (408) 551-1860.
13. If I am out from work because I have to care for my child or spouse/partner, but I am not sick and my circumstances permit me to work, can I work from home?
You may be able to temporarily work from home, with the approval of your supervisor. Check with your supervisor to determine if your job duties are such that your work could be done from home in the short-term.
14. Will my supervisor approve my request to work from home if there is an influenza outbreak?
It depends on the nature of your work. Some positions are not suited for working from home due to specific job duties that cannot be performed at home or there may be data security reasons that will preclude your supervisor from approving a request to work from home, so some requests may be denied.
15. If I become sick at work can my supervisor make me leave work?
Yes. Because persons who become ill with the symptoms of influenza should immediately minimize contact with others to avoid transmission of the disease, your supervisor can send you home. Supervisors can contact their respective HR Generalist (Lorraine Alabi X2769 or Jonna Delgado X5498) for more information on when they might consider sending an employee home.
16. What if I’m not sick, but do not want to come to work for fear of becoming ill. Is my supervisor required to approve my vacation leave request?
It is important to educate yourself about the H1N1 virus and its transmission. Visit the CDC’s website at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/ or the Cowell Health Center website at http://www.scu.edu/cshc/ for more information.
You may request to take paid time off for personal reasons. However, your supervisor is not required to approve your leave request. Please contact the Department of Human Resources with any questions (408) 554-4392 or (408) 551-1860.
17. During this H1N1 influenza outbreak under what circumstances could my supervisor cancel vacation leave requests that have already been approved?
Should the situation become urgent enough to require heightened measures, your supervisor may cancel any pre-approved paid time off leave requests, especially in circumstances where there are serious staff shortages as a result of illness.
18. What if I use public transportation to travel to and from work, and, due to the influenza outbreak the public transit system shuts down and I am unable to get to work. Will I get paid for the day(s) off I am unable to get to work?
It is important to plan ahead for this situation and look for other ways to travel to work. You may be able to ride share with other employees. Your supervisor may be able to help you find other employees who live in your area. If you are unable to obtain any other transportation you will need to discuss the situation with your supervisor. Your supervisor may consult with the Department of Human Resources to determine the best course of action. Consideration will be given to each employee’s individual situation.
19. Can my supervisor schedule me to work hours or shifts that I normally do not work?
You may be asked to work more hours or different hours than normal or be reassigned within your department or to a different department, especially if the University is short-staffed as a result of the influenza outbreak or new services are required to respond to the influenza outbreak.
20. If there are large numbers of employees who are unable to come to work because of the influenza outbreak, can I be asked to work overtime hours?
In the event of a serious outbreak, we all may be needed to work differently to ensure the University continues to function and our students are supported. You may be asked to work more hours or different hours than normal, especially if the University is short-staffed as a result of the influenza outbreak.
21. Should a significant influenza outbreak strike SCU, what assistance will be available to help me cope with its impact emotionally?
SCU provides resources to help eligible employees and their dependents cope with these types of life events through its Employee Assistance Program. The EAP provides free, confidential, short term counseling.
United Behavioral Health
Strictly Confidential Counseling Services
1-866-638-5714
Website: http://www.unitedbehavioralhealth.com/
