Policy Author:
Employee Engagement
Responsible Office – Department:
Employee Engagement / Emergency Response Team
Effective Date of Policy:
June 3, 2022
Purpose
Daemen University prioritizes the safety and well-being of its community members above all else and therefore, all policies and procedures that are outlined as part of the University’s official response to a public health emergency must be followed explicitly. Campus policies are put in place in compliance with Erie County Department of Health, New York State, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and World Health Organization Guidelines.
Faculty and staff are required to take personal responsibility for their health and the health of others. Faculty and staff that fail to abide by this policy will make the employee ineligible to work at Daemen and will result in termination of employment.
Scope
Daemen University strongly encourages all campus community members to get vaccinated for COVID-19, including a booster vaccine. Individuals who are boosted will face fewer restrictions and be better protected from serious illness. If you have been vaccinated for COVID-19, please submit proof online to daemen.edu/covid19upload.
At this time, COVID-19 Vaccination is no longer mandatory. However, the COVID-19 pandemic is an evolving global risk that may require adaptation of policies as necessary depending on public health information and data trends. Daemen University reserves the right to reinstate mandatory vaccination and require unvaccinated community members to receive a vaccine to maintain active employment, with the option of engaging a potential medical or religious accommodation exemption process. All employees, regardless of full time, part time, per diem, or temporary status, are strongly encouraged to receive a completed course of one of the FDA approved COVID-19 vaccinations (Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson).
Supporting COVID-19 Vaccination
An employee may take up to four hours as COVID-19 paid time per dose to travel to the vaccination site, receive a vaccination, and return to work. This would mean a maximum of eight hours of time off for employees receiving two doses. If an employee spends less time getting the vaccine, only the necessary amount of time will be granted. If an employee is vaccinated outside of their regular work schedule, they will not be compensated.
Employees may utilize up to two work days of sick time immediately following each dose if they have side effects from the COVID-19 vaccination that prevent them from working. Employees who have no sick time available will be granted up to two days of additional sick time immediately following each dose if necessary.
Weekly Off-Site Testing Requirement
Weekly offsite testing is no longer required. Please note, as with mandatory vaccination, that this requirement can be reinstated depending on any adverse changes in the infection statistics.
As part of the personal responsibility expectation, all campus community members, vaccinated and unvaccinated, are encouraged to self-monitor symptoms and take precautions if they are feeling sick including but not limited to wearing a mask, staying home and contacting a medical provider to discuss testing recommendations.
Safety Guidance for Employees who are not fully vaccinated
All individuals who are not fully vaccinated may be subject to additional public health requirements. Daemen University strongly recommends vaccination in order to prevent restrictions. These restrictions are currently not in effect, but could include: masking on campus while indoors in semi-private spaces, in indoor private spaces in the presence of others, and outdoors when distance cannot be maintained. This is not an exhaustive list.
For Job Applicants and Newly Hired Employees
Employees are no longer required to be fully vaccinated as a term and condition of employment at Daemen University. This status is subject to change at any time.
Confidentiality and Privacy
All medical information collected from individuals, including vaccination information, test results, and any other information obtained as a result of testing, will be treated in accordance with applicable laws and policies on confidentiality and privacy.