Frequently Asked Questions

What type of leave is available to me in the case of an H1N1 influenza outbreak?

All current available forms of leave may be considered for use in the event of an influenza outbreak. This includes compensatory time off for hourly employees, sick and vacation leave. In the case of an H1N1 Influenza outbreak, there are many unknowns about the spread of the disease and the severity of the illness you and your family members might experience.

By policy an employee is ordinarily entitled to use sick leave with pay for the following reasons:

• When the employee's performance of duty is prevented by sickness, disability or injury.
• When the employee's presence is required to provide care for an ill or injured member of the immediate family

If I become ill with H1N1, to whom should I report my illness?

Let your department chair know and make whatever arrangements are necessary for your class(es) to be continued in your absence. Staff members, let your immediate supervisor know you are sick. The university is compiling periodic status reports.

Can Crisis Leave be taken for this type of illness?

Faculty/Staff who have not accrued enough paid leave time (i.e. sick, vacation, floating holiday) may request a leave time advance up to five (5) days under UNL policy or Faculty/Staff may access the University’s Crisis Leave benefit

Are there alternative leave provisions being instituted to address absences due to the H1N1 influenza outbreak?

Yes. Please refer to the University’s H1N1 2009-2010 Flu Season Policy

What if I am not sick, but I need to stay at home to care for my child(ren) or spouse who has the flu?

According to UNL's Sick Leave Policy an employee is entitled to use up to five days sick leave with pay to care for and assist a member of his/her immediate family who is ill or injured.

For sick leave purposes, immediate family is defined as wife, husband, child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, brother, sister, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, guardian, ward, stepfather, stepmother, stepdaughter, stepson, collateral dependent as defined for benefit purposes, or persons bearing the same relationships to the spouse.

I am not ill nor are my children, but their school or day care is closed and I have no one to watch them. What should I do?

Promptly notify the supervisor of the reason for the absence. You will need to keep your supervisor informed of your absence and anticipated return to work date./

Your supervisor may require some record of the school or day care being closed.

You will be able to take off work by using your available compensatory time or vacation leave.

Do I need to notify my supervisor that I cannot come to work because of the influenza outbreak or pandemic?

Employees must promptly notify the supervisor or department official of the reason for the absence. Employees must also keep the supervisor or department official informed of their condition or situation if the absence continues for more than the initially reported timeframe.

All employees should follow their regular leave request procedures.

If I become sick at work can my supervisor make me leave work?

Yes. Employees or students who display influenza-like illness symptoms while at work or school may be sent home. Personnel who display symptoms but decline to leave work will be requested to do so and may be subject to disciplinary action for failure to do so.

If I do not have enough leave to cover my absence from work due to the influenza outbreak, how can I afford to stay at home until I am completely well before returning to work?

Benefits eligible employees who are ill but do not have not enough accrued sick leave time will be required to use accrued vacation leave, earned compensatory time, or leave without pay for the work hours missed. An employee who has exhausted all other leave options may request a leave-time advance of up to five days or seek to access the University’s “crisis leave” benefit (see Regent Policy 3.3.12) through normal campus procedures.

All procedures governing sick leave remain in effect (see Regent Bylaws 3.4.3.3 and 3.5). Employees must continue to follow normal leave notification procedures and guidelines established by their campus. Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) benefits for eligible employees will be concurrent with authorized sick leave.

What if I am not sick, but do not want to come to work for fear of becoming ill. Is my supervisor required to approve my vacation leave request?

You may request to take vacation leave. Decisions on leave approval, in such circumstances, will be made by the supervisor or department official based on organizational/operational needs.

What should I do if I get ill?

For unanticipated absences such as illness or family emergency, instructors must notify the program or department chair or academic dean as soon as possible so that arrangements can be made regarding classes and other scheduled activities.

Having information for your course on either Blackboard or a course Web site will help keep the course running smoothly if you need to be replaced for a few days. Academic departments should devise and distribute a plan for how the unit will cope with a higher-than-normal number of instructor absences this fall.

What if I use public transportation to travel to and from work, and due to the influenza outbreak or pandemic, the public transit system shuts down and I am unable to get to work. Will I get paid for the day(s) I am unable to get to work?

It is important to plan ahead for this situation and look for other ways to travel to work. You may be able to ride-share with other employees. Your supervisor may be able to help you find other employees who live in your area.

If you are unable to obtain any other transportation, you will need to discuss the situation with your supervisor. Your supervisor will consult with Human Resources to determine the best course of action.

During this H1N1 influenza outbreak under what circumstances could my supervisor cancel vacation leave requests that have already been approved?

UNL has the authority to cancel any pre-approved vacation leave requests, especially in circumstances where there are serious staff shortages as a result of illness. Your vacation could also be cancelled if your job is considered an essential position.

If the governor shuts down state buildings and/or services, will everything be closed like a snow day or will UNL need to keep essential services going?

In the event of a partial or full closure of the university, essential functions will be needed. Check with your supervisor to determine if your job is considered essential. If such an event would occur, UNL would issue communication on how the university would proceed.

What if I am a certified disaster service volunteer of the American Red Cross, may I leave work to provide disaster relief?

An employee who is a certified disaster service volunteer of the American Red Cross may, with the authorization of his or her supervisor, be granted civil leave not to exceed 15 working days in each year to participate in specialized disaster relief services in Nebraska for the American Red Cross, upon the request of the American Red Cross, without loss of pay, vacation leave, sick leave, or earned overtime accumulation.

WORK SCHEDULES/ALTERNATIVE WORKSITES

Must my supervisor approve my request to telecommute if there is an influenza outbreak?

You may consult your supervisor about the possibility of telecommuting during this time. Some positions may not be suited for telecommuting.

Can my supervisor schedule me to work hours or shifts that I normally do not work?

You may be asked to work more hours or different hours than normal, especially if your position is considered essential to keeping UNL operating, or the university is short-staffed. UNL will honor state and federal laws on wages and hours.

EMPLOYEE SERVICES

If an influenza outbreak occurs at UNL, what assistance will be available to help me cope with its impact emotionally?

UNL provides resources to help employees and eligible dependents cope with these types of life events through its Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Call 402-472-3107. The EAP provides free, confidential, short-term counseling.

HEALTH INSURANCE

Will UNL's health insurance plan cover medical expenses associated with an influenza outbreak or possible pandemic?

UNL recommends you consult the Blue Cross/Blue Shield Web site at https://www.bcbsne.com for information about your medical insurance coverage. You may also call 1-888-368-2227.

VACCINATION

When will H1N1 vaccine become available to UNL?

University Health Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will receive the 2009 H1N1 vaccine, but not until later in the distribution process, health center director Dr. James Guest said. Initially, the vaccine is being released and distributed in small quantities to providers who treat people who are at highest risk for complications. At this time the Lincoln Lancaster County Health Department is responsible for distributing the vaccine allotted to the county by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.

"While you hear vaccine is being distributed throughout the state and county, I wanted UNL students to know the Health Center will not receive any of the earliest shipments," said Dr. Guest said. "Because of the very limited amount of vaccine available, the vaccine is being given to providers who treat those individuals who have been assigned the highest priority level by the Centers for Disease Control. As the supply of vaccine increases, the UHC will receive the vaccine and eventually there should be vaccine for all those who desire the vaccine. When we receive the vaccine, we will release information to let UNL students know the details of how to receive the vaccine."

The CDC recommends the following priority for receiving the 2009 H1N1 vaccine:

• Pregnant women
• Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months
• Healthcare and emergency services personnel
• Children from 6 months through 18
• Young adults 19-24
• Persons aged 25-64 who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza

According to the CDC, there is not an expected shortage of the H1N1 vaccine but availability and demand will be unpredictable and available in limited quantities early in the distribution cycle.

The UHC will announce when the H1N1 vaccine becomes available on campus. Dr. Guest also encourages students, faculty and staff to get a seasonal influenza vaccination, which is available at UHC for $20. Check the UHC website for H1N1 and seasonal influenza updates.

PREVENTION

What steps can I do to stay healthy and keep from spreading the flu?

Here are four important ways people can stay healthy and keep from getting sick with flu or spreading the flu:

• Practice good hand hygiene. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Practice respiratory etiquette. The main way flu spreads is from person to person in droplets produced by coughs and sneezes, so it’s important to cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder, not your hands.
• Stay home if you are sick. Stay home or in your place of residence for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius) or signs of a fever (have chills, feel very warm, have a flushed appearance, or are sweating). This should be determined without the use of fever-reducing medications (any medicine that contains ibuprofen or acetaminophen).
• Talk to your health care providers about whether you should be vaccinated. Get vaccinated for seasonal flu. People who are at higher risk for flu complications from 2009 H1N1 flu should consider getting the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available. People at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 flu complications include pregnant women and people with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes).

For more information about priority groups for vaccination, visit www.flu.gov

Everyone should take personal responsibility to help slow the spread of the flu virus.

Who is at higher risk for complications from flu?

Anyone can get the flu (even healthy people) and anyone can have serious problems from the flu. Talk with your health care provider to determine if you are at higher risk for flu complications, especially if you have been in close contact with others who are sick with flu or flu-like illness.

Some groups are at higher risk for complications from the flu. These include children younger than 5, pregnant women, people of any age with chronic health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease) and people 65 and older.

What actions should pregnant women take to protect themselves from the flu?

Pregnant women should follow the same guidance as the general public related to staying home when sick, hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, and routine cleaning.

Pregnant women are at higher risk of complications from flu and like all people at higher risk, should speak with their health care provider as soon as possible if they develop flu-like symptoms. Early treatment with antiviral flu medicines is recommended for pregnant women who have the flu; these medicines are most effective when started within the first 48 hours of feeling sick.

Pregnant women are part of the first priority group to receive the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine when it becomes available. Seasonal flu vaccine is also recommended for pregnant women and can be given at any time during pregnancy.

What is self-isolation?

Self-isolation is when sick people stay home and away from other people until they no longer have a fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius) or signs of a fever (have chills, feel very warm, have flushed appearance, or are sweating). This should be determined without the use of fever-reducing medications (any medicine that contains ibuprofen or acetaminophen). During the period of self-isolation, sick people should limit contact with others and try to maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from people. If close contact cannot be avoided, sick people should wear a surgical mask when they are around other people, if they can tolerate it.

How long should a person sick with the flu stay at home or in their residence?

Under current flu conditions, faculty, students, and staff with flu-like symptoms should stay home for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius) or signs of a fever (have chills, feel very warm, have a flushed appearance, or are sweating). This should be determined without the use of fever-reducing medications (any medicine that contains ibuprofen or acetaminophen). The sick person may decide to stop taking fever-reducing medicines as he or she begins to feel better. This person should continue to monitor his or her temperature until it has been normal for 24 hours.

If flu conditions become more severe, the sick person should stay home or in their residence for 7 days. A person who is still sick after 7 days should stay home until 24 hours after the symptoms have gone away. In addition, this longer period should be used in healthcare settings and may be considered anywhere a high number of people at higher risk for complications from flu may be exposed, such as childcare facilities.

Sick people should stay at home or in their residence, except to go to the health care provider’s office, and they should avoid contact with others. Keeping people with a fever at home may reduce the number of people who get infected with the flu virus. Because high body temperatures are linked with higher amounts of virus, people with a fever may be more contagious.

SYMPTOMS

What are the symptoms of seasonal flu and the 2009 H1N1 flu?

Symptoms of flu include fever or chills and cough or sore throat. In addition, symptoms of flu can include runny nose, body aches, headache, tiredness, diarrhea, or vomiting.

How do I recognize a fever or signs of a fever?

A fever is a temperature that is equal to or greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius when taken with a thermometer. Look for these possible signs of fever: if you feel very warm, have a flushed appearance, or are sweating or shivering.

How do I know if someone has 2009 H1N1 flu or seasonal flu?

It will be very hard to tell if someone who is sick has 2009 H1N1 flu or seasonal flu.

Public health officials and medical authorities will not be recommending laboratory tests. Anyone who has the symptoms of flu-like illness should stay home and not go to work.

Symptoms of flu include fever or chills and cough or sore throat. In addition, symptoms of flu can include runny nose, body aches, headache, tiredness, diarrhea, or vomiting.

What fever-reducing medications can I take when sick?

Fever-reducing medications are medicines that contain acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or ibuprofen (such as Motrin). These medicines can be given to people who are sick with flu to help bring their fever down and relieve their pain. Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) should not be given to anyone younger than 18 years of age who have flu; this can cause a rare but serious illness called Reye’s syndrome.

Student Absences

Can I ask a student to leave class if they appear to be sick?

Yes. Students may be sent home if they display the following symptoms: Fever (greater than 38 C or 100.4 F) combined with one or more of the following:

1. Cough
2. Sore throat
3. Runny or stuffy nose
4. Body aches
5. Headache
6. Chills
7. Fatigue
8. Diarrhea and/or vomiting.

Those who display symptoms and refuse to leave after being asked to do so may be subject to disciplinary action.

What changes can I make to my course structure to minimize the impact of the widespread absences that are predicted this fall?

Instructors should try to place as much course content as possible, including assignments and lecture outlines, either on Blackboard or on their class Web site.

Should students just drop my class if they get the flu?

Most students will be able to make up the work missed because of a bout with the H1N1 flu, typically 3-4 days. Students must consider a wide range of academic and financial issues when they decide whether to drop a course or withdraw from the entire semester. Instead of advising students to drop a course, faculty should advise students to see an advisor before making decisions about course drops and withdrawals.

[Centers for Disease Control. 2009. Preparing for the Flu: A Communication Toolkit for Institutions of Higher Education]

Employee Attendance Policy

In order to aid in protecting the health and safety of employees, UNL has adopted the following attendance procedures specific to Faculty/Staff and student employees who exhibit flu symptoms this season. Due to the highly contagious nature of H1N1 flu and its similarity in symptoms to seasonal flu, anyone displaying flu-like symptoms will be treated the same under these procedures. Please note, this is interim guidance and subject to change as additional information becomes available.

1. Faculty/Staff and student employees exhibiting the following symptoms must NOT come to work.
   Fever greater than 38 C or 100.4 F combined with one or more of the following:
   1. Cough
   2. Sore throat
   3. Runny or stuffy nose
   4. Body aches
   5. Headache
   6. Chills
   7. Fatigue
   8. Diarrhea and/or vomiting.
2. Faculty/Staff and student employees must notify their supervisor if they are ill.
3. Faculty/Staff and student employees must stay home and minimize human contact if they are sick with flu-like illness until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever without the use of fever-reducing medicines.
4. Supervisors must direct Faculty/Staff and student employees to leave the worksite if they come to campus displaying the above symptoms. Supervisors have the responsibly to ensure the workplace is safe, and as a result, supervisors also have the responsibility to send Faculty/Staff and student employees home who have the above symptoms. Those who display symptoms and refuse to leave after being asked to do so may be subject to disciplinary action.
5. Faculty/Staff who have not accrued enough paid leave time (i.e. sick, vacation, floating holiday) may request a leave time advance up to five (5) days under UNL policy OR Faculty/Staff may access the university’s Crisis Leave benefit. UNL departments will advance leave to Faculty/Staff requesting such leave.
6. All procedures governing sick leave as stated in UNL policy remain in effect. Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) benefits for eligible faculty and staff will be concurrent with authorized sick leave.
7. Any questions regarding this policy can be directed to UNL Human Resources (402) 472-3101.

Updated: August 27, 2009

University of Nebraska-Lincoln H1N1 Department Checklist

Download the Checklist for use in your department.

University Health Center H1N1 Flyer

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