If an employee is exposed to COVID-19 or tests positive for COVID-19, can they work remotely?
Yes, if an employee is feeling well if they are exposed to COVID-19 or tests positive for COVID-19, they can continue to work remotely
Is an employee required to be absent from work and on leave for 10 work days if they exhibit symptoms of COVID-19 or must an employee be absent from work and on leave only if they test positive for COVID-19?
Employees who exhibit symptoms or contracted COVID-19 must isolate and be absent from work. Isolating employees cannot return to work for a minimum of 10 days and only after providing medical clearance and a negative test result. Brown offers paid leave time for 10 work days, which is referred to as “paid special leave."
If an employee tests negative after exposure to COVID-19, why can’t they return to work sooner?
Brown is following state and CDC guidelines, which require 14 days of quarantine for exposure or 10 days of isolation for symptoms or a positive test result. Brown offers paid leave time for 10 work days, which is referred to as “paid special leave."
If an employee spent the day with someone who subsequently tested positive for COVID19, should the employee refrain from coming to work or only stay out of work if they exhibit symptoms of COVID-19?
The RIDOH will notify the employee if the RIDOH has determined that the employee has been exposed to COVID-19. If the employee resides in a state other than Rhode Island, the employee will be contacted by an agency that is working in partnership with the RIDOH.
Are individuals contacted when they have been near someone who has not worn a mask, less than six feet apart, and within the past 48 hours?
No, all identified persons will be contacted only if they were near someone less than 6 feet apart and spent 15 minutes or more when they were near each other.
If an employee has been exposed to COVID-19, or tested positive for COVID-19, should the employee’s supervisor inform their supervisor (Director, VP, Chair, etc.) of the employee’s exposure or illness?
No, University Human Resources (UHR) will contact all relevant parties at Brown
If I don’t have access to an employee’s Workday ID, how do I inform UHR of an employee who has been exposed to, exhibiting symptoms of, or tested positive for COVID19?
If you don’t have access to an employee’s Workday ID, please contact UHR by phone at 401-441-4765 or through secure email at [email protected].
We were asked to keep a journal of contacts on a daily basis. Does the supervisor need to supply their list of contacts to RIDOH or does the employee provide their list of contacts to RIDOH?
The RIDOH will be in contact with the employee but may also reach out to you as the employee’s supervisor, in which case UHR will be asking for the contact list possibly from both the employee and you as the employee’s supervisor.
If an employee gives their supervisor a list of people who have been in contact with the employee less than six feet either when they have been exposed to, or tested positive for COVID-19, who notifies the people on the list? Is it UHR or the employee’s supervisor?
First and foremost the employee should not remain at work, directly contact UHR, and seek medical treatment. UHR will directly notify people exposed to the employee through the contact tracing process.
What leave options are available to an employee who has tested positive for COVID-19, subsequently becomes very ill, and requires hospitalization that leads to their absence from work for an extended period of time?
The University has various leave types for which an employee may be eligible. As soon as the employee is aware of a positive test result for COVID-19, the employee needs to directly contact UHR at [email protected] to take next steps and for additional information.
What medical documentation does an employee who has been exposed to COVID-19 need to submit to UHR if the employee never developed symptoms or did not seek medical treatment within the past 14 days?
UHR will work directly with the employee exposed to COVID-19 to obtain appropriate documentation. In most instances, the RIDOH can provide the employee with documentation to return to work.
Can an employee collect TDI while they are quarantining after an exposure to COVID19?
An employee can collect TDI if instructed to quarantine by a health provider or the RIDOH. The employee should review the TDI website for the most recent and updated information.
Are there circumstances under which an employee can refuse to take a COVID-19 test?
Brown has implemented COVID-19 testing for employees who work on campus during all of their scheduled work hours or part of their scheduled work hours. This action is being taken to protect the health and safety of all community members as a result of this global pandemic. There are limited circumstances under which an employee will be unable to submit to a COVID19 test. If reassignment of job duties cannot be performed remotely, an employee can request an accommodation under Brown’s employee accommodation process. Brown will work with its provider. Broadspire, to request information to establish that their condition is a disability, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), Brown may further request medical documentation to support the employee’s request to make a determination if the accommodation is reasonable. Similarly, if an employee does not comply with this requirement for religious beliefs, Brown will determine if an accommodation can be offered under Title VII.
In the absence of an accommodation based on disability or religious beliefs, an employee who does not comply with this requirement will not be allowed to return to the campus and will be referred to University Human Resources for a consultation to request a leave of absence. Steps will be taken to address each situation and take appropriate action as warranted, including corrective action in accordance with the University’s Workplace Safety Policy.
Updated 6/18/2020
University Human Resources, Benefits Operations