Employee-Related Information Concerning the Coronavirus
As Platt College continues to monitor the spread of the coronavirus, employees are asked to review the information provided on this website for employment-related informaiton concerning COVID-19. Here are the most common FAQs for Platt College employees:
1. If an employee is returning from travel to high risk countries, should they return to work?
Employees who are traveling back from countries with risk levels of 2 and 3, should self-isolate and not return to their campus work or school location for at least a 14-day period, per the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines when one is without symptoms. For more information from the CDC, including the latest updates, please access Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). While Platt College cannot and will not enforce employees' individual personal decisions, we ask that our employees exercise good judgment when it comes to potential exposures.
2. What approval is needed for employees to work from an alternative work location (AWL)?
The administrator you report to can approve temporary alternative work locations for self-isolated employees or employees who need to stay home to care for self-isolated dependents. The circumstances for the temporary AWL should be documented and include consideration such as equipment needs and maintenance, employee safety, communication and supervision, and adherence to state and federal laws. Approval from the President or CFO (human resources) is not required for short-term AWL approvals for 14-day self-isolation related to COVID-19.
3. Does the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave apply to absences due to the coronavirus?
Yes, coronavirus qualifies as a "serious health condition" under FMLA, allowing an eligible employee to take FMLA leave if either the employee or an immediate family member contracts the disease.
4. Can the person you report to ask for a doctor's note from an employee returning from self-isolation?
- No. We may accept a doctor’s note if it is voluntarily provided by the employee, but we may not require or ask for any specific documentation. However, we do require that the employee notify them prior to return to work and also require that the employee be asymptomatic upon return from self-isolation.
5. Can an employee be sent home if s/he is displaying coughing or other documented, related symptons of COVID-19?
- Employees can be sent home, but cannot be penalized for being sent home.
6. What resources are available if I am experiencing anxiety due to the COVID-19 outbreak?
- Our health insurance provider, United Healthcare, provides emotional support. To access benefits, visit https://www.uhc.com/health-and-wellness/health-topics/depression-anxiety/mental-health-resources. Additionally, Platt College provides You@PlattCollege 24/7 for students and employees, accessible from our college website at https://you.plattcolorado.edu/