FAQs - Leave and Covid-19

Information is power. Take a look at this FAQ below published by Granite School District to address employee leave issues with regard to COVID-19. There are some great links if you would like additional information from the state health department. 
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​If you have any questions about these items, send GEA a message in the comment section or email any one of us for a personal reply.

 
 June 29, 2020
 
COVID-19 EMPLOYEE LEAVE GUIDELINES AND FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
 
What are the Symptoms of COVID-19?
 
Please click on the link for the latest symptom updates with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html

Employees who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have been exposed to COVID-19 should NOT be at work and should be tested as soon as possible. COVID-19 testing locations can be found at https://coronavirus.utah.gov/testing-locations/. Employees should notify supervisors as soon as possible.


Who is identified as High-Risk?
 
Please click on the link for the latest High-Risk updates with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-at-higher-risk.html
 
Are High Risk employees required to work on-site?
 
All employees are required to work on-site, unless directed otherwise by supervisors. However, all employees should adhere to social distancing (ideally 6+ feet), wash hands often, and use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). High Risk employees may contact Berkley King, Benefits Manager, for assistance with appropriate personal protective equipment. Berkley King may be reached at bdking@graniteschools.org.

What leave could I apply for if I am identified as a High-Risk individual, but I do not qualify for FFCRA Leave?

• Benefit-eligible employees may apply for approved leave according to District policy, i.e. personal leave, 15-day leave without pay and vacation leave.

 
What leave could I apply for if I am caring for someone identified as a High-Risk individual?

• Benefit-eligible employees may apply for approved leave according to District policy, i.e. personal leave, 15-day leave without pay and vacation leave.
• Employees use Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) Leave. Please visit Benefit webpage: https://www.graniteschools.org/hr/benefits/

 
What leave could I apply for if I have been exposed to COVID-19?
 

• Employees who have been exposed to COVID-19 and have been directed to self-isolate by the health department or a medical provider.
• Employees use Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) Leave. Please visit Benefit webpage: https://www.graniteschools.org/hr/benefits/
• Benefit-eligible employees may apply for approved leave according to District policy, i.e. sick leave, personal leave, 15-day leave without pay and vacation leave.

 
What leave could I apply for if I am experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and seeking medical diagnosis?
 
Employees who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 should NOT be at work and should be tested as soon as possible.

• Employees use Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) Leave. Please visit Benefit webpage: https://www.graniteschools.org/hr/benefits/

• Benefit-eligible employees may apply for approved leave according to District policy, i.e. sick leave, personal leave, FMLA, short term disability, 15-day leave without pay and vacation leave.

 
What leave could I apply for if I test positive for COVID-19?

Employees who test positive for COVID-19 and have been told to self-isolate by the health department or a medical provider, are required to self-isolate for fourteen (14) days or until the employee tests negative for COVID-19.

• Employees use Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) Leave. Please visit Benefit webpage: https://www.graniteschools.org/hr/benefits/
• Benefit-eligible employees may apply for approved leave according to District policy, i.e. sick leave, personal leave, FMLA, short term disability, 15-day leave without pay and vacation leave.

 
What leave is available through District policy for contract eligible employees?
District policy provides the following benefits to eligible contract employees:
 

• Sick Leave – May utilize available accrued sick leave. A person identified only as a High-Risk individual would not be considered sick.
• Sick Family Leave – Up to ten (10) days of accrued sick leave can be allocated for sick family leave. Can be used for the health care needs of immediate family members; refer to policy. A person identified only as a High-Risk individual would not be considered sick.
• Personal Leave – Varies by employee category, requires supervisor approval.
• Hourly Employee TOW Leave – Up to fifteen (15) days of unpaid leave may be used in a school year.
• STD – Up to one hundred and twenty (120) days of Short-Term Disability may be used in a five-year period, refer to policy. Educators must elect and pay for STD coverage. A person identified only as a High-Risk individual would not be considered sick.
• One Year Leave – One (1) year leave of absence without pay eligibility varies by employee category, refer to policy.
• Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) – Provides additional paid and/or unpaid leave to benefit eligible employees who have a serious medical condition or have a family member with a serious medical condition; refer to policy. A person identified only as a High-Risk individual would not be considered sick.
• Vacation Leave – Contract 12-month employees are eligible for vacation benefits. Vacation leave requires supervisor approval.

 
Granite School District does not extend unauthorized leave. Failure to be on approved leave may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination. In addition, each employee is expected to follow the “call-in” procedure when absent from work. If you have any questions regarding the “call-in” procedure, please contact your supervisor or principal.
 
Employees who make application for leave options, as outlined above, must communicate with immediate supervisors and the Granite School District Benefits Office. Furthermore, employees making a request for a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADAAA), or have questions regarding the contents of this letter, should contact Berkley King, ADAAA Coordinator at (385)646-4222 or bdking@graniteschools.org.

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