THIS INTERIM POLICY ACTION EXPIRED ON JUNE 31, 2021.
Original Issuance Date: December 22, 2020
Expiration Date: June 30, 2021
1. Interim Policy Purpose
The COVID-19 crisis has resulted in substantial disruptions to childcare and K-12 school operations throughout the State of Wisconsin. As a result, many University of Wisconsin System employees have been required to be absent from the workplace to provide care for their children when schools or daycares are closed. Additionally, the quarantine requirement associated with exposure to a known infected individual has resulted in employees being required to be absent from the workplace to provide care for a quarantined individual.
This interim policy conforms UW System Sick Leave policy with the temporarily expanded sick leave rules for WI State Employees enacted under WI Emergency Rule EmR2042. The policy permits the use of sick leave associated with the above described absences.
2. Related Policies
This policy temporarily amends portions of SYS 1212, Sick Leave.
3. Scope
This policy applies to all sick-leave eligible employees.
4. Definitions
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5. Interim Policy Statement
A. Definitions
For the duration of this interim policy, UW System Administrative Policy 1212, Sick Leave, Section 3. Policy Definitions, is amended to add the following language:
“Public health emergency means a public health emergency declared by the Governor under s. 323.10, Stats., a public health emergency declared by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under 42 U.S.C. 247d, or an emergency declared by a governing body of a local unit of government under s. 323.11, Stats.”
B. Use of Sick Leave
For the duration of this interim policy, UW System Administrative Policy 1212, Sick Leave, Section 4 (C) Use of Sick Leave, is amended to add the following language:
“(7) Sick Leave During a Public Health Emergency
Sick leave may be used during a public health emergency that is related to the 2019 novel coronavirus pandemic, for temporary care of members of the immediate family, or a child to whom the employee stands in loco parentis as defined under 29 CFR s. 825.122(d)(3), for a limited period of time for a reason that is specifically related to the public health emergency. Such reasons may include when the individual requiring care has been exposed to a contagious disease which requires the individual’s confinement, or when the employee lacks needed child care because schools or other places of care are closed or unavailable as a result of the public health emergency. Use of sick leave for these purposes is limited to the period of time required for confinement, closure, or unavailability. An appointing authority may require documentation to justify the granting of sick leave under this subsection.”