COVID-19 FAQs for Faculty & Staff

Below is a set of frequently asked questions that faculty and staff may have in regards to Friends University and COVID-19:

Faculty & Staff FAQs

If I test positive for COVID-19 what should I do?

Notify HR immediately and follow the healthcare provider’s instructions to quarantine. The university will follow the guidance of the Sedgwick County Health Department, KDHE and CDC.

Will I be able to work from home if I am quarantined due to testing positive for COVID-19?

If you’re able to telework, please work with your supervisor. If you’re unable to telework, please contact HR.

If I test positive for COVID-19 and unable to work from home, do I use sick leave?

Contact HR – you may be eligible for Emergency Paid Sick Leave through the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. The Emergency Paid Sick Leave provides up to 80 hours of paid sick leave to employees who need to take leave from work for specified reasons related to COVID-19.

  • the employee or someone the employee is caring for is subject to a government quarantine order or has been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine;
  • the employee is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and is seeking medical attention; or,
  • the employee is caring for his or her son or daughter whose school or place of care is closed or whose child care provider is unavailable for reasons related to COVID-19.

How do I know if I am eligible for the Emergency Paid Sick Leave through the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)?

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act) was established to provide employees with paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19.  Friends University is committed to assisting employees who are unable to work, including telework, due to a qualifying reason related to COVID-19.  To apply for FFCRA funds, the employee must complete the Employee Leave Request form and submit it to HR for processing. The Employee Leave Request form and Department of Labor guidelines are below. For questions or additional information, contact Kelley Williams at kwilliams@friends.edu or 316-295-5864. 

I just learned that an employee has tested positive for COVID-19. Am I at risk?

When a university employee or student tests positive, Sedgwick County Health Department shall initiate contact with the individual. Contact tracing may be completed and either the county or the university will get in touch with anyone it identifies as a direct contact. Direct/Close contact, according to the KDHE’s most recent guidance, means contact (within six feet and 10 minutes or more) with an individual with confirmed COVID-19. If you are not a direct contact, you have no special precautions to take at this time, though everyone should follow preventative measures to keep themselves healthy. These measures include practicing good hygiene and social distancing, wearing a face covering, monitoring your health, and staying home if you are sick.

Will the university disclose the identity of the individual?

If the university has knowledge of potential COVID-19 exposure, the university will work in close coordination with the Sedgwick County Health Department, which may include contact tracing. The county and/or university will notify those who are in direct contact with any person that has tested positive for COVID-19.

If I am in quarantine due to being a direct/close contact and develop symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and my test comes back negative, do I still need to finish out my 14-day quarantine?

A negative test result does not allow a patient to end quarantine early. You would still need to complete the remaining days of your quarantine.

What is the university doing to protect me from exposure to the individual who tested positive?

The university is committed to protecting the health and safety of our campus and will take the following steps with regard to any employee or student who tests positive for COVID-19.

  • Individuals who tested positive will quarantine.
  • Individuals believed to be in direct contact with the individual will be notified or contacted through the Sedgwick County Health Department.
  • Initiate cleaning and disinfection with guidance from the CDC of areas frequented by the individual who tested positive. If the situation warrants, buildings or parts of the university may be closed and occupants will be notified in advance as appropriate.

How can I complete the Symptom Self Checker?

You can use this self symptom checker below:

Or visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

What do I do if I’m sick?

Stay home and notify your supervisor for telework options. Per the CDC, if you have a fever, cough or other symptoms, you might have COVID-19. Most people have mild illness and are able to recover at home. If you think you may have been exposed to COVID-19, contact your healthcare provider and notify HR. Below are links to the CDC site about “What to Do If You Are Sick”.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html

You may also use the Self-Checker to help you make decisions on when to seek testing and appropriate medical care.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

What do I do if I have concerns about potential exposure and feel like I’m experiencing symptoms?

Stay home and notify your supervisor for telework options. Per the CDC, if you have a fever, cough or other symptoms, you might have COVID-19. Most people have mild illness and are able to recover at home. If you think you may have been exposed to COVID-19, contact your healthcare provider and notify HR. Below are links to the CDC site about “What to Do If You Are Sick”.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html

You may also use the Self-Checker to help you make decisions on when to seek testing and appropriate medical care.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

What are my options if I don’t have daycare for my children due to COVID-19 and need to work from home?

 Below are the options for full-time employees who are parents with children age 14 or younger:

  • One day of Telework per week that may be taken as a full day or two 1/2 days. 
  • Voluntary Furlough up to 30 days – this is unpaid leave time that may be taken continuously or intermittently to reduce work days or weeks.

Please reach out to HR for more information.

What if I recently traveled internationally or within the US?

Please review the KDHE Travel & Exposure Related Isolation/Quarantine for guidance. If you must quarantine, please work with your supervisor for teleworking options or use vacation for your time away from campus.

https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/175/Travel-Exposure-Related-Isolation-Quaran

What is the flow chart in regards to COVID-19?

Please download the COVID-19 Response Flow Chart for faculty and staff for more information.

More Information

Please find more KDHE isolation and quarantine FAQs here.

COVID-19 Contact Form

Contact Us

Have a question about COVID-19 for us? Use this form to reach out. Alternatively, contact our COVID Hotline at 316-295-5298 or covid@friends.edu. We will get back to you as soon as possible.