COVID-19 leave extended through May 1
As our community responds to local and national updates about the COVID-19 pandemic, we recognize the significant uncertainty that continues in our personal and professional lives. This virus is impacting each of us in one way or another. We are in this together, and I hope the information in this correspondence provides some comfort to all members of our community.
We are expanding our COVID-19 paid leave benefit to support impacted employees through May 1. This provides additional paid leave if an employee is unable to work due to COVID-19 related issues, including the inability to work remotely.
Please see the full revised COVID-19 Pandemic Employee Work Location and Leave Policy.
Our original policy provided an 80-hour leave bank for employees to use for COVID-19 pandemic related leave. This policy extension now provides leave until May 1 and is no longer limited to a certain number of hours. This same benefit is being provided to employees at all UW System institutions.
Additionally, any unused vacation carryover balance will not expire this year as it typically would on June 30 (for faculty, Academic Staff, and limited appointments) or December 31 (for University Staff). Instead, your vacation carryover balance will remain available for an additional year until June 30, 2021 or December 31, 2021, respectively.
While we continue to practice social distancing under Governor Evers’ Safer at Home order, we hope everyone is staying healthy and safe. We encourage you to lean into the UW–Madison community for support and take advantage of the available resources:
- Guide for managing fears and anxiety related to COVID-19
- Confidential counseling and consultation
- Resources for working remotely
- Tips for organizational effectiveness at a distance
If you have questions, please contact your supervisor or human resources office.