COVID FAQ | PA State System of Higher Education

2. Who is eligible for the State System COVID-19 EPSL?

Employees, on their first day of employment with the State System, may be eligible for COVID-19 EPSL, if the employee is unable to work, including unable to telework, because:

a. The employee is subject to a Federal, State, or local quarantine or isolation order related to COVID-19; or

b. The employee has been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine due to concerns related to COVID-19; or

c. The employee is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and seeking a medical diagnosis; or

d. The employee is caring for an individual who is subject to an order as described in paragraph (a) or has been advised to self-quarantine as described in paragraph (b), above

5.How much State System COVID-19 ESPL is available for part-time employees?

Part-time employees, defined as those who work less than 37.5 or 40 hours per week, are eligible for up to ten (10) days of COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave. Part-time employees are entitled to leave for their average number of normally worked hours in a two-week period.

If the normal scheduled hours are unknown, or vary in a two-week period, the number of hours of leave to which a part-time employee is entitled shall be determined based on a six (6)-month average of daily hours.

If the employee has been employed for less than six (6) months, the number of hours shall be determined based on the average daily hours from the date of hire through the last workday prior to the first day of COVID-19 EPSL. For example, if a part-time employee normally works, on average, 25 hours per week, the employee would be eligible for up to 50 hours of COVID-19 EPSL.

6.What is the rate of pay for the State System COVID-19 EPSL?

If you are taking leave for one of the qualifying events outlined in a. through c. in question 2, above, payment is at your regular rate of pay, up to $511 per day and $5,110 in total.

If you are taking leave for one of the qualifying events outlined in d. in question 2, above, payment is at 66.67% of your regular rate of pay, up to $200 per day and $2,000 in total.

7.When can I use the State System COVID-19 EPSL?

When there is a qualifying event under a. through d. in question 2 above, beginning January 1, 2021. COVID-19 EPSL does NOT carryover from one year to the next and expires on December 31, 2021, or when Governor Wolf's Proclamation of Disaster Emergency expires, whichever is sooner.

8.Who is an “individual” for purposes of a qualifying event outlined in d. in question 2 above?

An individual is defined as an employee’s immediate family member, a person who regularly resides in the employee’s home, or a similar person with whom the employee has a relationship that created an expectation that the employee would care for them if he or she self-quarantined or was quarantined.

9. Can I use the State System COVID-19 EPSL before I use my other paid leave, such as annual leave?

Yes, as long as you are eligible because of a qualifying event listed in question 2, above. COVID-19 EPSL is a separate paid leave entitlement from your accrued or anticipated annual, personal, sick, or compensatory leave. You are not required to use other paid leave before using the ten (10) days of COVID-19 EPSL.

10. Do I need a doctor’s note or other documentation to use the State System COVID-19 EPSL?

Yes. For qualifying events a. through d. in question 2, above, notice of quarantine or isolation orders, a doctor’s recommendations, or other relevant documentation should be provided.

11. If I have a reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine or develop side effects, what type of leave can I use?

The COVID-19 vaccine may cause mild side effects including pain and swelling at the site of the injection, chills, tiredness, and headache. These side effects should go away after a couple of days and most people are able to work while experiencing these side effects.

If you are unable to work through the side effects of the vaccine, you may be eligible for the State System COVID-19 EPSL. You must show proof of vaccine from the provider and either a note from your doctor or statement written by you attesting to your side effects and inability to work.

12. How do I request the State System COVID-19 EPSL?

A request for emergency paid sick leave should be submitted to COVID19LeaveRequest@passhe.edu.

13. Is the State System COVID-19 EPSL retirement-covered?

No. Any payments made pursuant to the State System COVID-19 EPSL are not retirement-covered compensation and you will not receive retirement credit for any wages paid.