Rice introduces temporary sick leave program for employees

Mask transposed over a model fo the corona virus

Rice has implemented a temporary sick leave program amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The program, which is effective today, gives all full-time staff five days of sick leave for use when ill or unable to work because of a medical appointment through June 30, 2021. Part-time staff will be granted sick leave based on their full-time equivalence (FTE).

"As a member of the Rice community, we are all accountable for protecting the health, safety and well-being of one another," wrote Joan Nelson, associate vice president for human resources, in an email to Rice employees.

Employees are required to conduct a self-check daily before reporting to work, and staff who have been directly exposed to COVID-19 or have symptoms of COVID-19 should contact their health care provider and work supervisor to request sick leave, Nelson added.

In cases of major illness, staff member should first use their five days of sick leave, Nelson wrote; short-term disability coverage, if available, may then be used according to that program.

Staff should use the code SICK on their time sheet when reporting sick leave.

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