HR Flu FAQ

The human resources department has put together an FAQ outlining Calvin’s current policies as they relate to Influenza A (H1N1).  If you have additional questions, please contact our office. 

How do I know if I have H1N1? For more information about H1N1 visit Calvin College's Health Services website.

What to do if you get sick

• Fever (greater than 100 degrees), chills

• Sore throat, headache, cough

• Body aches, fatigue

• Possible diarrhea and vomiting

What do I do if I think I have Influenza A (H1N1)?

1. Notify your supervisor and human resources (526-6495 or humanresources@calvin.edu) that you are ill with flu-like symptoms and will not be able to come to work
   

2. Isolate yourself to keep from potentially exposing other people
   

3. Seek medical advice from your primary care physician

• If you are eligible for sick time, your time off will be paid.
  

• If you are eligible for any type of paid time off, you may use time from your paid time off bank.
  

• If you are not eligible for any type of paid leave time, your time off will be unpaid.

Can I choose to work from home? 

Some positions require a physical presence on campus and are not eligible for working at home arrangements.  If your position is identified as eligible for alternative working arrangements, you may be able to work from home. This is dependent on work load and approval by your department head and vice president. Human resources requires documentation for this arrangement and the form is located here.

If your position is not deemed eligible, you will not be able to work from home. 

What to do if someone in your family gets sick and you cannot come to work

1. Notify your supervisor and human resources (526-6495 or humanresources@calvin.edu) that you will not be at work

2. Isolate your family member to keep him or her from potentially exposing other people

3. Seek medical advice from appropriate medical personnel

Will my time off be paid? 

If eligible, you can be paid for up to two (2) family care days to take care of a sick family member.   Beyond the family care days, you can either take vacation days or unpaid FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act) time.

If you are not eligible for family care days or vacation time, your time off will be unpaid.

Can I choose to work from home?

Some positions require physical presence on campus and are not eligible for working at home arrangements.  If your position is identified as eligible for alternative working arrangements, you may be able to work from home. This is dependent on work load and approval by your department head and vice president. Human resources requires documentation for this arrangement and the form is located here.

If your position is not deemed eligible, you will not be able to work from home and will need to take unused vacation time, paid time off (if eligible) or unpaid time off. 

What if my child’s daycare and/or school closes due to illness?

If your child is unable to attend school or daycare, please do not bring your child to work.

If you are unable to find alternative arrangements for childcare, you have two options. If eligible, you can take up to two (2) family care days or take unused vacation days.

If you are not eligible for family care days or vacation time, your time off will be unpaid.

Someone I supervise came to work sick. Can I send him or her home?

Yes. Employees with a fever greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit and a cough should be sent home. Other symptoms (coughing, sneezing, etc) may also be of concern.

The decision to send a sick employee home will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Please notify human resources if you have sent an employee home due to flu-like symptoms.

Additional information can be found in the following places:

www.pandemicflu.gov

http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/

http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/recommendations.htm

If you have additional questions please contact us in human resources.