You are here

Home » COVID-19 Employee Resources

COVID-19 Supervisor Guide

Guidance has been developed to give supervisors proper protocols to follow in a variety of COVID-19 workplace situations.

This information is not intended to capture every possible situation that may occur, but reflects the most common scenarios that may be presented. Click here to view the supervisor guide.

Important: Employees' medical information must be kept confidential and separate from their personnel files.

Scenario 1: An employee notifies you they have tested positive for COVID-19

I am a supervisor; my employee has just called, emailed, or texted to notify me that they have tested positive for COVID-19.

What do I do next?

  1. Direct your employee to stay home until they fulfill their isolation period in accordance with the COVID-19 Employee Quarantine & Isolation Period Guidance.
    • The CDC has updated the recommended isolation and quarantine period for people with COVID-19. Employees who test positive for COVID-19 (regardless of vaccination status) must isolate for five days and if they have no symptoms or symptoms are resolving (fever free for 24 hours), they should follow that by five days of wearing a mask when around others.
    • If your employee has an approved Teleworking Arrangement and Agreement, you should allow them to perform their work from home. If the employee cannot work from home, the employee should be put on the appropriate leave. See the Employee Leave Guidance for more information.
  2. Instruct your employee to complete the COVID-19 Positive Test Reporting Form. University employees are required to report that they are COVID-19 positive by completing the COVID-19 Positive Test Reporting Form. This form must be completed by employees who work on campus or remotely.
  3. Tell your employee to visit the Office of Human Resources website for resources. The Office of Human Resources has compiled a range of resources for employees related to COVID-19. That includes the COVID-19 Employee Quarantine & Isolation Guidance and types of leave available to them.
  4. Inform your employee they can return to the workplace when:
    • They have spent at least five calendar days (from the onset of symptoms or, if they are asymptomatic, from the date of their positive test) in self-isolation; and
    • They have no symptoms or their symptoms (especially no fever for 24 hours) are resolving after 5 days. However, they must continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
    • A representative from the Office of Human Resources may contact the employee to provide additional guidance on when to return to the workplace.

Scenario 2: An asymptomatic employee tests positive for COVID-19

I am a supervisor; my employee is in the workplace and has just notified me that they have tested positive for COVID-19.

Note: This scenario should only occur for asymptomatic employees. Employees who feel sick should not report to the workplace.

What should I do next?

  1. Send your employee home immediately. Direct them to go home and contact you as soon as they arrive at their home to obtain further guidance.
    • While waiting for your employee to contact you, you should begin cleaning and disinfecting immediately. If needed, cleaning and disinfecting supplies/products are available at Central Receiving at 429 Cherry Street and may be picked up by departmental representatives.
  2. Direct your employee to stay home until they fulfill their isolation period in accordance with the COVID-19 Employee Quarantine & Isolation Period Guidance.
    • The CDC has updated the recommended isolation and quarantine period for people with COVID-19. Employees who test positive for COVID-19 (regardless of vaccination status) must isolate for five days and if they have no symptoms or symptoms are resolving (fever free for 24 hours), they should follow that by five days of wearing a mask when around others.
    • If your employee has an approved Teleworking Arrangement and Agreement, you should allow them to perform their work from home. If the employee cannot work from home, the employee should be put on the appropriate leave. See the Employee Leave Guidance for more information.
  3. Instruct your employee to complete the COVID-19 Positive Test Reporting Form. University employees are required to report that they are COVID-19 positive by completing the COVID-19 Positive Test Reporting Form. This form must be completed by employees who work on campus or remotely.
  4. Tell your employee to visit the Office of Human Resources website for resources. The Office of Human Resources has compiled a range of resources for employees related to COVID-19. That includes the COVID-19 Employee Quarantine & Isolation Guidance and types of leave available to them.
  5. Inform your employee they can return to the workplace when:
    • They have spent at least five calendar days (from the onset of symptoms or, if they are asymptomatic, from the date of their positive test) in self-isolation; and
    • They have no symptoms or their symptoms (especially no fever for 24 hours) are resolving after 5 days. However, they must continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
    • A representative from the Office of Human Resources may contact the employee to provide additional guidance on when to return to the workplace.

Scenario 3: An employee has been in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19

I am a supervisor; my employee has just called, emailed, or texted to notify me that they have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

What do I do next?

  1. Instruct your employee to complete the COVID-19 Exposure Reporting Form. University employees who have come into close contact or who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 are required to report their potential exposure by completing the COVID-19 Exposure Reporting Form.
  2. Tell your employee to visit the Office of Human Resources website for resources. The Office of Human Resources has compiled a range of resources for employees related to COVID-19. That includes the COVID-19 Employee Quarantine & Isolation Guidance and types of leave available to them.
  3. Inform your employee that the CDC has changed its guidelines to no longer require a quarantine period even with direct exposure to COVID-19. However, employees who have come into contact or who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 must report their exposure, wear a mask or face covering for 10 days and isolate immediately if you develop symptoms.