EIU Benefit Services

Employees are not automatically eligible for retroactive COVID-19 Paid Administrative Leave.  

Employees must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible: 

1. 1. Employees must be employed with Eastern Illinois University as of the implementation of the Public Act 102-0697 on April 5, 2022.
      AND
   2. The employee either:
      1. Provides evidence that they are fully vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration.
         1. “Fully vaccinated against COVID-19” means at least two weeks have passed after receiving the second dose in a 2-dose series of a COVID-19 vaccine or at least two weeks have passed after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine that requires only a single dose.
         2. “Fully vaccinated against COVID-19” also includes any recommended booster doses for which the individual is eligible upon the adoption by the Department of Public Health of any changes made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States Department of Health and Human Services to the definition of “fully vaccinated against COVID-19” to include any such booster doses.  Individuals who are eligible for a booster dose but have not received a booster dose by at least five weeks after the Department of Public Health adopts a revised definition of “fully vaccinated against COVID-19” are not considered fully vaccinated for purposes of this policy.
         3. Fully vaccinated against COVID-19 status must be achieved no later than 5 weeks after the effective date of Public Act 102-0697 (May 9, 2022).
            OR
      2. Provides evidence that they had an approved medical or religious COVID-19 vaccination accommodation on file through the Human Resource Office at the time of leave and were/are fully in compliance with all requirements of the accommodation.
         AND
   3. The employee was unable to work during the 21/22 academic year due to one of the following qualifying reasons for leave:
      1. The employee received a positive COVID-19 diagnosis via a PCR test or a probable COVID-19 diagnosis via an antigen diagnostic test and was required to isolate in accordance with Illinois Department of Public Health guidance.
      2. The employee was deemed by the local health department to be a close contact of a person who had a confirmed case of COVID-19 and was required to quarantine in accordance with Illinois Department of Public Health guidance.
      3. The employee was required by University policy to be excluded from University property due to COVID-19 symptoms.
      4. The employee was required to care for a child who was unable to attend elementary or secondary school or daycare because the child had to be isolated or quarantine from others because the child had:
         1. A confirmed positive COVID-19 diagnosis via a PCR test or a probable COVID-19 diagnosis via an antigen diagnostic test, or
         2. Been in close contact with a person who has a confirmed case of COVID-19, or
         3. Been required by the school or school district policy to be excluded from school district property due to COVID-19 symptoms

PLEASE NOTE: COVID-19 Paid Administrative Leave is only available for employees who meet the below requirements and used their leave before July 27, 2022.

Employees are not automatically eligible for COVID-19 Paid Administrative Leave.  

Employees must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible: 

1. Employees who are employed with Eastern Illinois University and who are unable to work for one of the reasons listed below: 
   1. The employee has received a positive COVID-19 diagnosis via a PCR test or a probable COVID-19 diagnosis via an antigen diagnostic test and must isolate in accordance with Illinois Department of Public Health guidance. (At-home tests will not be accepted.)
   2. The employee has been deemed by the local health department to be a close contact of a person who has a confirmed case of COVID-19 and is required to quarantine in accordance with Illinois Department of Public Health guidance.
   3. The employee was required by University policy to be excluded from University property due to COVID-19 symptoms.
   4. The employee must care for a child who is unable to attend elementary or secondary school or daycare because the child must be isolated or quarantine from others because the child has:
      1. A confirmed positive COVID-19 diagnosis via a PCR test or a probable COVID-19 diagnosis via an antigen diagnostic test, or
      2. Been in close contact with a person who has a confirmed case of COVID-19, or
      3. Been required by the school or school district policy to be excluded from school district property due to COVID-19 symptoms
         AND
2. The employee either:
   1. Provides evidence that they are fully vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration.
      1. Fully vaccinated against COVID-19 means at least two weeks have passed after receiving the second dose in a 2-dose series of a COVID-19 vaccine or at least two weeks have passed after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine that requires only a single dose.
      2. Fully vaccinated against COVID-19 also includes any recommended booster doses for which the individual is eligible upon the adoption by the Department of Public Health of any changes made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States Department of Health and Human Services to the definition of “fully vaccinated against COVID-19” to include any such booster doses.  Individuals who are eligible for a booster dose but have not received a booster dose by at least five weeks after the Department of Public Health adopts a revised definition of “fully vaccinated against COVID-19” are not considered fully vaccinated for purposes of this policy.
         OR
   2. Provides evidence that they have an approved medical or religious COVID-19 vaccination accommodation on file with the Human Resource Office at the time of leave and were/are fully in compliance with all requirements of the accommodation. 

PLEASE NOTE: COVID-19 Paid Administrative Leave is only available for employees who meet the below requirements and used their leave before July 27, 2022.

An employee eligible for leave under the provisions of this policy shall receive COVID-19 Paid Administrative Leave at their regular rate of pay for as many days as required to abide by public health guidance, mandates, and requirements issued by the Illinois Department of Public Health. 

COVID-19 Paid Administrative Leave does not accrue and is not compensable upon separation from the University.

PLEASE NOTE: COVID-19 Paid Administrative Leave is only available for employees who meet the below requirements and used their leave before July 27, 2022.

COVID-19 Paid Administrative Leave may be used on a continuous basis.  A reduced schedule may be approved with agreement from the employee’s department.

PLEASE NOTE: COVID-19 Paid Administrative Leave is only available for employees who meet the below requirements and used their leave before July 27, 2022.

In order to be eligible for this paid administrative leave, employees must complete the application for COVID-19 Paid Administrative Leave.

Suitable documentation must be provided to support the need for COVID-19 Paid Administrative Leave usage.  If an employee is found to have falsified the need for leave, the employee may be denied the leave and/or may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination.

COVID-19 Paid Administrative Leave will not be granted without proof of vaccination status or evidence of a granted accommodation and full compliance.

If you have been denied leave and choose to appeal, please forward your written appeal to the General Counsel (in the absence of a Vice President of Business Affairs) at lmclaughlin@eiu.edu within fifteen days from the date of your denial.

In order to be eligible for this paid administrative leave, employees must complete the application for COVID-19 Paid Administrative Leave.

Suitable documentation must be provided to support the need for COVID-19 Paid Administrative Leave usage.  If an employee is found to have falsified the need for leave, the employee may be denied the leave and/or may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination. 

COVID-19 Paid Administrative Leave will not be granted without proof of vaccination status or evidence of a granted accommodation and full compliance

Yes, any qualified leave that occurred on or after August 23, 2021 through July 27, 2022, would be eligible for the COVID-19 Paid Administrative Leave benefit.

The first half of the policy speaks to how to seek retroactive leave; the second half of the policy addresses how to request leave beginning with events that start on or after April 5, 2022 (the law’s effective date).

The law states that it is effective for the 21-22 academic year. Therefore, the policy ends on July 27, 2022 (the last day of the summer term).