Reporting Employee Illness

What if an employee doesn't feel well? Do they need to report symptoms to Risk Management?

If an employee does not feel well enough to work, then have them stay home/not report to work! Take time to rest and recuperate.

Risk Management only needs to be informed if employees test positive for COVID-19!

Positive COVID-19 test results need to be reported to the appropriate administrator/MPP immediately! Employees must also inform Risk Management/Workers Compensation:

• Please report via the confidential online reporting tool
• If employees cannot access the form, contact Risk Management Services at 916-278-6119 or rms@csus.edu
• If the employee does not have access to the form or cannot submit, their supervisor can submit it for them

Should an employee who is out sick provide a health care provider's note?

Employees who call out sick should inform their appropriate administrator/MPP, per the campus RTW Protocols, and not report to campus. A medical note is not required unless employees engage in a formal medical leave, in which case the documentation required to engage in that leave will be explained to the employee.

What if I've been informed by HR that I have been in ‘close contact’ with an employee who tests positive for COVID-19?

The following requirements apply to employees who are: Unvaccinated; OR Vaccinated and booster-eligible but have not yet received their booster dose.

• Employees must be excluded from the workplace for at least 5 days after their last close contact with an employee who has COVID-19.
• Exposed employees must test on day 5.
• Quarantine can end and exposed employees may return to the workplace after day 5 if symptoms are not present and the day 5 test is negative.
• If an employee is unable or chooses not to test and does not have symptoms, quarantine can end and the employee may return to the workplace after day 10.
• If an exposed employee develops symptoms, they are not to come to campus and seek a test at the first opportunity. (Antigen test preferred.)

The following requirements apply to employees who are: Fully vaccinated

• Employees do not need to quarantine if they test on day 5 with a negative result.
• If employees test positive, they must follow isolation recommendations above.
• If employees develop symptoms, they must not come to campus and seek a test at the first opportunity (Antigen test preferred.)

What if I've been in ‘close contact’ with someone outside of work who tests positive for COVID-19?

• Get a COVID-19 test as soon as feasible.
• If there are no symptoms, you should consult with your manager about limiting your contact with other employees, which includes possibly teleworking or coming to campus and limiting exposures in group meetings and break rooms while wearing a mask at all times.
• If you test positive, follow the recommendations for positive testing employees.
• If you develop symptoms, do not come to campus, inform your manager that you are ill and cannot work.

What are the next steps when an employee tests positive for COVID-19?

The employee must inform their appropriate administrator/MPP of their positive test result immediately. They are directed to go home and isolate from others and are to immediately leave the campus workplace.

Additionally, they must report the positive test result to Risk Management:

• Please report via the confidential online reporting tool
• If employees cannot access the form, contact Risk Management Services at 916-278-6119 or rms@csus.edu
• If the employee does not have access to the form or cannot submit, their supervisor can submit for them

When can I come back to work after testing positive?

• Employees who test positive should be isolated and not return to work for a minimum of ten (10) days.
• After ten (10) days you can return to work if your symptoms are resolving, AND you have had no fever for 24 hours.
• An antigen test is recommended at 10 days and if the test is negative then you can return to work.
• A negative test is not required to return to work.
• A doctor’s note is not required to return to work.
• If you test positive but are without any symptoms, consult with your appropriate administrator/MPP about whether telework is possible before the ten day isolation is completed. However, if you are ill with symptoms, you should take the time off to recover and heal!

What about my sick time and leave balances?

• If employees are unable to carry out their duties because of illness due to COVID-19, they can utilize sick leave or any other applicable leave balances.
• Should your illness due to COVID-19 require more time away from work than Cal OSHA guidelines, or you don’t have sick leave or other leave available, you should contact the Benefits Office at benefits@csus.edu or 916-278-6213 to inquire about medical leave options available to you.
• Employees are strongly encouraged to contact their healthcare provider as soon as possible to obtain more specific medical guidance based on their medical history, and possible symptoms.

How should employees report time away from work?

As always, employees who do not feel well can utilize their sick leave accruals, in accordance with the negotiated collective bargaining agreements/policy. More detailed information can be found below. Employees should notify their appropriate administrator as soon as practicable.

Online COVID Reporting Tool

INFORMATION FOR POSITIVE EMPLOYEES from Risk Management