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WVU enacts special emergency leave with pay plan for faculty and staff in response to COVID-19

COVID-19 enews

As part of our continuing efforts to protect the health and well-being of West Virginia University’s campus community in response to COVID-19, WVU has enacted a special emergency leave with pay plan for faculty and staff.

“During this time of uncertainty, the safety of our students, faculty and staff remains our top priority,” said Cris DeBord, vice president of Talent and Culture. “The special emergency leave plan is meant to address concerns some employees may have about their leave and to help minimize any potential financial hardships employees may face as a result of COVID-19.”

The special emergency leave will be available to all full-time and part-time faculty and staff across the WVU System beginning today (Thursday, March 19). WVU Research Corporation and WVU Innovation Corporation employees also are included as part of the plan. 

Emergency leave will not be available to student employees, federal work study or graduate student assistants (i.e., teaching assistants, research assistants and service assistants), who are encouraged to work with their supervisor to discuss any opportunities for remote work.

Following yesterday’s announcement directing all supervisors to maximize the number of employees who are working from home effective no later than Friday (March 20), faculty and staff should work with their supervisors to make alternative work arrangements (e.g., flexing work schedules, teleworking, completing alternative tasks, etc.) whenever possible. 

However, faculty and staff also can work with their supervisor to request up to 75 hours of special emergency leave with pay – prorated by full-time equivalency (FTE) – in instances where an alternative work arrangement is not possible and in the following instances: 

  • The employee or a member of their immediate family has been exposed to COVID-19, has symptoms of the disease or is in self-quarantine.

  • The employee or a member of their immediate family has a confirmed case of COVID-19 and is recuperating.  

  • The employee is considered vulnerable (i.e., older adults and individuals who have serious chronic medical condition) of becoming very sick if they contract COVID-19.

  • The employee is pregnant or has a spouse or member of their household who is pregnant.  

Visit the Talent and Culture website for more information, to read FAQs and to complete the special emergency leave request form. 

Contact WVU Shared Services or coronavirushr@mail.wvu.edu with any questions on the special emergency leave plan.

Visit coronavirus.wvu.edu for additional resources, information and the latest updates. Contact coronavirus@mail.wvu.edu with any general questions.

* Note: Additional special emergency leave hours may be provided and will be handled on a case-by-case basis.