Infectious Diseases-Public Health Emergencies

Human Resource Pay and Time-Off Guidance for Benefits Eligible Employees

This employee policy outlines the use of paid time off during any infectious disease diagnosis or exposure in the context of public health emergencies. If an absence is not related to a declared health emergency, regular policies apply.

Eligibility for employees diagnosed with an infectious disease including vaccination and testing protocols:

  • Short Term Disability (STD): STD may be allowed, subject to the conditions and process outlined in the STD guidance document.
    • Family Medical Leave (MAPFML, PFML/FML): May be allowed upon a confirmed diagnosis of a serious health condition. Employees should follow the process outlined in the MAPFML guide.
    • Sick time: Use of accrued sick time is allowed based on the personnel manual. During public health emergencies involving infectious diseases, employees may be required to quarantine or isolate, and a negative sick balance may be allowed.
    • Time off for vaccinations, testing or treatment: Employees will be allowed time off for vaccination, testing, and/or prophylactic treatment. Allowable time off (in hours or day increments) will be dictated by the infectious disease. If any additional time is needed for adverse reactions to vaccine, employees should use paid time off (PTO).
  • Time at own expense: Allowed.
  • Other PTO (vacation/personal days): Allowed based on employee’s PTO balance.

Eligibility for employee with a dependent diagnosed with an infectious disease including vaccination and testing protocols:

  • Short Term Disability (STD): Not eligible.
  • Family Medical Leave (MAPFML, PFML/FML): May be allowable upon a confirmed diagnosis of an eligible dependent with an infectious disease that meets the definition of a serious health condition. Employees must follow the process outlined in the MAPFML guide.
  • Sick time: Use of accrued sick time is allowed based on the personnel manual. During public health emergencies involving infectious diseases, employees may be required to quarantine or isolate, and a negative sick balance may be allowed.
  • Time off to accompany dependents for vaccinations, testing or treatment: Employees will be allowed time off to accompany dependents during vaccination, testing, and/or prophylactic treatment. Allowable time off (in hours or day increments) will be dictated by the infectious disease. If any additional time is needed for adverse reactions to vaccine, employees should use PTO.
  • Time at own expense: Allowed.
  • Other PTO (vacation/personal days): Allowed based on employee’s PTO balance.

Quarantine eligibility - employee without formal diagnosis but advised to quarantine or isolate based upon exposure or other risk, including persons awaiting test results (as defined by HUHS and/or public health authorities):

  • Short Term Disability (STD): Not eligible.
  • Family Medical Leave (MAPFML, PFML/FML): Not eligible. Employees must use sick time to quarantine for exposure or close contact (as defined by HUHS and/or public health authorities), without diagnosis, or fear of exposure.
  • Sick time: Use of accrued sick time is allowed. During public health emergencies involving infectious diseases, employees may be required to quarantine or isolate and a negative sick balance may be allowed.
  • Time at own expense: Allowed.
  • Other PTO (vacation/personal days): Allowed based on employee’s PTO balance.

Quarantine eligibility - suspected exposure or close contact (as defined by HUHS and/or public health authorities) no symptoms (employee or dependent)

  • Short Term Disability (STD): Not eligible.
  • Family Medical Leave (MAPFML, PFML/FML): Not eligible. Employees must use sick time to quarantine for exposure or close contact (as defined by HUHS and/or public health authorities), without diagnosis, or fear of exposure.
  • Sick time: Use of accrued sick time is allowed. During public health emergencies involving infectious diseases, employees may be required to quarantine or isolate and a negative sick balance may be allowed.
  • Time at own expense: Allowed.
  • Other PTO (vacation/personal days): Allowed based on employee’s PTO balance.