News

Updated COVID-19 Special Work/Leave Provisions (1.21.2021)

Thursday, January 21, 2021

Dear UNCW Faculty & Staff,
 
As you may know, the federal provisions for COVID-19 related leave (FFCRA) expired December 31, 2020. Beginning January 1, 2021, absences that may have been covered by FFCRA are subject to the provisions described below.
 
Provision 1: Paid Administrative Leave
Employees who are absent due to their own illness/exposure to COVID-19 may receive up to 80 hours of paid administrative leave. Paid Administrative Leave does not apply to employees providing childcare/elder care, or if they are providing care to someone who has been exposed.
 

  •   How much Paid Administrative Leave is available?
The amount of Paid Administrative Leave available is reduced by any amount of leave used under the leave code FFCRA Sick/Self in 2020.
 
  •   What happens if/when I run out of Paid Administrative Leave?
Once the 80 hours of leave are exhausted, employees must use their own leave. Once employees have exhausted their own leave, they may receive an additional 80 hours of COVID-19 Paid Administrative Leave for the absences.
 
  •   How do I request Paid Administrative Leave?
Employees should use the “Request for Paid Administrative Leave” form available from their benefits counselor. Contact your benefits counselor to request this form.
 
Provision 2: COVID-19 Shared Leave Bank
We are pleased to announce that UNCW has established a COVID-19 Shared Leave Bank to help leave-earning employees who cannot work for certain COVID-19-related reasons.
 
  •   What reasons are covered by the COVID-19 Shared Leave Bank?
The leave bank is for employees who cannot report to work for certain COVID-19-related reasons, including childcare, elder care, close contact in the last 14 days with a person who has tested positive, has symptoms, under quarantine, or who cannot telework.
 
  •   Who is eligible to receive leave from the COVID-19 Leave Bank?
Employees must have exhausted all of their own leave in order to be eligible to receive leave from the leave bank. A maximum of 160 hours may be used by an employee.
 
  •   Who can donate to the COVID-19 Shared Leave Bank?
All leave-earning employees may voluntarily elect to donate leave to the leave bank. Donated leave is not returned to the donor if it is not used and the recipient cannot retain any of the donated leave not used. Leave is donated to a bank and cannot be donated to a specific individual. A maximum of 200 hours may be donated by an employee.
 
  •   How do I request or donate leave from/to the COVID-19 Shared Leave Bank?
Below are the links to the donation form and the request form. Additional details will be posted to the HR website in the next few days.
REQUEST leave from the COVID-19 Leave Bank
 
DONATE leave to the COVID-19 Leave Bank