On August 6, 2021, EIU and AFSCME entered into a Settlement Agreement that, in part, granted individuals represented by AFSCME Clerical/Technical the ability to be considered for remote work under certain limited conditions. The Agreement itself continues through December 31, 2021, and may automatically renew unless modified or terminated by the parties. This remote work accommodation is based on a Clerical/Technical individual’s inability to work on-campus due to IDPH and CDC guidelines for COVID-19 quarantining (either for themselves or their minor child). The provisions for this policy are as follows:
- ● The employee must be represented under the AFSCME Clerical/Technical agreement;
- ● The employee must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (or possess a religious exemption or medical inability to be vaccinated) and show HR their vaccination card (or have it uploaded into EIU's encrypted database);
- ● The appropriate county health department must order either the employee and/or their child (age 13 or younger) for whom they are the primary caregiver to be in quarantine due to COVID-19 exposure;
- ● The employee must have reasonable ability to perform the majority/essential functions of the position remotely;
- ● The employee’s position must be able to be performed remotely (to be determined by HR and employee’s supervisor); and,
- ● Employee must be available during regular office hours and continue to follow time reporting policies
According to the CDC, quarantine keeps someone who was in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 away from others; isolation keeps someone who is sick or tested positive for COVID-19 without symptoms away from others. This Agreement only applies to those in quarantine. It does not apply to anyone in isolation.
Upon submission of this form, Human Resources will begin an interactive process with the employee, his/her supervisor, and relevant Vice President to determine if a reasonable accommodation of remote work can be made.
Upon completion, this form must be sent to the ADA Coordinator at lcholloway2@eiu.edu. It should not be assumed that a request is accepted, and that remote work is available. Independent of the individual requesting the accommodation, EIU will determine the availability of remote work based on the position description and departmental needs.