October 6, 2020
New program supports student employees who need to stay in quarantine, isolation
Submitted by Division of Communications and Marketing
Students who work on-campus and off-campus jobs and who are — and should be — in quarantine or isolation because of COVID-19 symptoms or exposure may take advantage of a new leave program that will financially compensate them for being responsible and not working their shifts.
This sick leave program is the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, or FFCRA.
On-campus student employees
Under the FFCRA, student employees who are unable to work their on-campus shifts because of COVID-19 and who have either been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine or are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and seeking a medical diagnosis qualify for FFCRA leave. Under this leave program, student employees who should be in quarantine or isolation rather than at work may be paid as if they worked their shifts. FFCRA paid leave time will be capped approximately at what two weeks of hours would be for the students.
To qualify for FFCRA leave, on-campus student employees must meet one of the following criteria:
- Are subject to a federal, state or local quarantine or isolation order because of COVID-19.
- Have been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine because of COVID-19.
- Are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and are seeking a medical diagnosis. For example, if they are waiting for the results of a COVID-19 test.
- Are caring for an individual subject to an order described in (1) or self-quarantine as described in (2).
- Are caring for his or her child whose school or place of care is closed — or child care provider is unavailable due to COVID-19 related reasons.
- Are experiencing any other substantially similar condition specified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Please note that students who are on federal work-study funds are currently not eligible for the FFCRA program.
If a student has COVID-19 symptoms or should be in quarantine or isolation, they should not work their in-person shifts and should instead apply for FFCRA leave.
Healthy student employees — even those on federal work-study funds — who can work their shifts remotely are encouraged to do so. Student employees who work on campus should speak with their supervisors regarding the ability for remote work.
How on-campus student employees can apply for FFCRA leave:
1. Meet one of the six criteria listed above.
2. Complete this fillable FFCRA leave request form PDF document.
3. Return the PDF to your department's Human Capital Services liaison. Your supervisor can help you with this if you do not know who the liaison is.
Learn more about FFCRA leave and other resources available. Additional information is available on the Human Capital Services website.
Off-campus student employees
Students employed at businesses and organizations outside of K-State may be eligible for the Families First Coronavirus Response Act paid sick leave. Please talk with your employers about your eligibility.