COVID-19 Related Leave Policy
Effective Aug. 25, 2021, Arkansas State University will provide COVID-19 leave to employees who are required to isolate or quarantine during the upcoming fiscal year. Under an ASU System COVID-19 Leave Policy, employees who have tested positive for COVID-19, are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, or are required to quarantine may access this additional leave. The goal of the campus policy is to keep employees safe and healthy while ensuring that all campus services remain operational. To access the COVID-19 leave, A-State employees must follow campus guidelines requiring quarantine, isolation, testing and notification.
A-State employees who have been in direct contact with a positive COVID-19 case, or employees who exhibit symptoms or have tested positive are required to notify the university’s Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT) by filling out the online COVID-19 reporting form located at AState.edu/COVID19Reporting.
This will alert Human Resources, and a member of the MERT will contact the employee to provide next steps. If the employee performs critical operations related to university services, the employee’s supervisor should contact HR to determine if a remote work option is available. The degree to which remote work is implemented is determined by the Human Resources department at the designation of the Chancellor. If the employee is not authorized for remote work, they may access up to a total of 80 hours of COVID-19 leave. After the COVID-19 leave is exhausted, employees shall use accrued leave to cover the additional time away from work.
Employees shall not return to campus until released from their isolation or quarantine period as determined by the MERT and applicable public health guidelines. Employees must comply with campus guidelines and MERT instructions related to isolation, testing and notification to access COVID-19 leave.