COVID-19 Employee Resources

Important public health information and resources for Ithaca College staff and faculty.

Employee Preparedness & Responsibilities

All employees working on campus, even if only occasionally, are required to adhere to all CDC (Centers for Disease Control), NYS, local health department, and Ithaca College guidelines, policies, and procedures at all times. 

All employees are urged to take basic preventive measures to prepare themselves and their families to avoid exposure to or infection by the viruses causing COVID-19. Employees are encouraged to contact the College's Employee Assistance Program at 800-327-2255 for help with feelings of stress or anxiety about these events.  

New York State’s COVID-19 Paid Leave is still in effect

Employees are entitled to at least 14* days of paid COVID-19 sick leave while they are subject to a mandatory or precautionary order of quarantine or isolation issued by the NYS Department of Health (or any governmental entity similarly authorized). In no event shall an employee qualify for sick leave under New York’s COVID-19 sick leave law for more than three orders of quarantine or isolation. The second and third orders must be based on a positive COVID-19 test and the employee must submit documentation from a licensed medical provider or testing facility attesting that the employee has tested positive for COVID-19.  

*In January 2022, the Department of Health released updated guidance allowing individuals who have been exposed to COVID-19 to end their quarantine after 5 days if they are asymptomatic and subsequently test negative. NY’s COVID-19 quarantine leave benefits are only available during the order of quarantine or isolation. Once an individual is no longer subject to an order of quarantine or isolation, they are no longer eligible for NY’s COVID-19 quarantine leave benefits.  

Isolation is for individuals who have been infected with COVID-19, even if they do not have symptoms. Employees who receive a positive COVID-19 test result, regardless of vaccination status, are subject to a mandatory order of isolation and must isolate for at least 5 complete days in accordance with the CDC guidance. If these employees are able to work from home, they may do so while under an order of isolation. If the employee is symptomatic or unable to work from home, and this is their first order of isolation or quarantine, the employee must:  

  1. Notify their supervisor that they are unable to report to work.  

  2. Obtain an affirmation of isolation accompanied by documentation from a licensed medical provider or testing facility and submit to humanresources-hipaa@ithaca.edu.

  3. Record their paid time away using the COVID-19 absence type up to 14 days. The number of paid days are calendar days, and the pay required should represent the amount of money that the employee would have otherwise received during the period of quarantine, up to 14 days of paid time. Employees who are unable to return to work after 14 days should record the first 5 additional days as sick paid time away. Beyond the 5 sick paid time away days, the employee should apply for short term disability benefits for compensation during the rest of their isolation. Employees should reach out to benefits@ithaca.edu for eligibility, instruction, and benefit overview. 

Quarantine is for individuals who have been exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19 or have been told by a healthcare provider or public health authority that they have been exposed. Employees who are subject to a mandatory or precautionary order of quarantine must wear a mask anytime they are around others inside their home or indoors in public for 10 days following exposure. If the employee is not symptomatic, the employee may report to work or work from home, while under an order of quarantine. If the employee is symptomatic or unable to work from home, and this is their first order of quarantine or isolation, the employee must:  

  1. Notify their supervisor that they are unable to report to work.  

  2. Submit the mandatory order of quarantine issued by the NYS Department of Health (or any governmental entity similarly authorized) to humanresources-hipaa@ithaca.edu.  

  3. Record their paid time away using the COVID-19 absence type up to 14 days. The number of paid days are calendar days, and the pay required should represent the amount of money that the employee would have otherwise received during the period of quarantine, up to 14 days of paid time. Employees who are unable to return to work after 14 days should record the first 5 additional days as sick paid time away. Beyond the 5 sick paid time away days, the employee should apply for Paid Family Leave benefits for compensation during the rest of their quarantine. Employees should reach out to benefits@ithaca.edu for eligibility, instruction, and benefit overview. 

The second and third leaves must be based on a positive COVID-19 test. 

Employees who receive a positive COVID-19 test result, regardless of vaccination status, are subject to a mandatory order of isolation and must isolate for at least 5 complete days in accordance with the CDC guidance. If these employees are able to work from home, they may do so while under an order of isolation. If the employee is symptomatic or unable to work from home and this is their second or third order of quarantine or isolation, the employee must:  

  1. Notify their supervisor that they are unable to report to work.  

  2. Obtain an affirmation of isolation accompanied by documentation from a licensed medical provider or testing facility and submit to humanresources-hipaa@ithaca.edu.  

  3. Record their paid time away using the COVID-19 absence type. Beyond the 14 days, employees should record the first 5 additional days needed as sick paid time away. Beyond the 5 sick paid time away days, the employee should apply for short term disability benefits for compensation during the rest of their isolation. Employees should reach out to benefits@ithaca.edu for eligibility, instruction, and benefit overview. 

Employees who are subject to an order from their health department indicating that they or their minor dependent child(ren) are under a precautionary or mandatory order of quarantine or isolation and they are unable to report to work or work from home, and this is their second or third order of quarantine or isolation (not due to their own positive COVID-19 test result), the employee must:  

  1. Notify their supervisor that they are unable to report to work.  

  2. Employees may use up to 5 sick paid time away days. Beyond the 5 sick paid time away days, the employee should apply for a combination of short-term disability benefits for NYS Paid Family Leave compensation during the rest of their quarantine or isolation. Employees should reach out to benefits@ithaca.edu for eligibility, instruction, and benefit overview. 

For the applicable paid leave period (up to 14 days when subject to a mandatory or precautionary order of quarantine or isolation), employers must pay the amount that the worker would have otherwise received had they been continuing to work for that period based upon the amount that the employee was scheduled or would have been scheduled had the employer’s operations continued in its normal due course. Employees who work a fixed schedule or are paid a salary should simply continue to receive pay for the applicable period. Part-time employees should be paid for the number of days or work shifts during the period of quarantine that they would have otherwise been paid for, up to 14 days of paid time. The number of paid days are calendar days, and the pay required should represent the amount of money that the employee would have otherwise received during the period of quarantine, up to 14 days of paid time. 

After using paid COVID-19 sick leave benefits, employees may be eligible for a combination of Paid Family Leave and disability benefits. Employees must first use all available paid COVID-19 sick leave, before applying for the combined Paid Family Leave and disability benefits. 

Employees who have already used the three paid leaves will be required to utilize their own PTA balances if they are unable to report to work due to a positive COVID-19 test, or mandatory order of isolation or quarantine, regardless of vaccination status. In keeping with current policy, if an employee is unable to report to work for any reason, the employee is expected to notify their supervisor as soon as possible that they will be unable to report to work. Employees who are actively experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 should self-test and/or seek medical attention from their health care provider before returning to work. Employees with questions about pay practices and the need to use accrued sick PTA balances, short-term disability (if applicable), or Paid Family Leave, should contact benefits@ithaca.edu.

The Office of Human Resources

Please email the Office of Human Resources with any questions regarding the above information.