As a federal agency we were instructed to follow the American Rescue Plan Act – this allowed a person numerous days off without having to use their leave.  This expired on January 27, 2023.  Now a person who is ill – calls employee health and they determine how many days off and when return based on their algorithm.  Employees have to use their own leave since 01/27/23.  They can make a claim to try to get it back – if deemed to be work related by employee health/infection control.  JW

Jon Wardecke, CIH

Industrial Hygiene/Safety Manager

Clement J Zablocki VA Medical Center

5000 West National Avenue (00S), Milwaukee, WI 53295

(414) 384-2000 x42934

From: MCOH-EH <mcoh-eh-bounces+jon.wardecke=va.gov@mylist.net> On Behalf Of Radke, Laura L. M.D.
Sent: Friday, December 15, 2023 4:00 PM
To: MCOH-EH <mcoh-eh@mylist.net>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] [MCOH-EH] COVID as a respiratory virus vs a special pathogen

I’m wondering if any others on this listserv have an opinion on this topic.  COVID has been treated essentially as a special pathogen in our facilities for the past nearly four years.  In other words, we have not followed the same policies and procedures that we use for other respiratory pathogens, i.e. influenza, with regard to absences, etc.  Employees do not need to provide physician excuses for their absences, do not need to produce documentation of a positive result and do not get occurrences for missing work.  They get 5 days off if they say they have COVID or are caring for a loved one with COVID with no repercussions and do not need to use PTO for this.  We have recently had some discussions about moving to a unified stance that moves COVID to the same process we use to manage employees with other similar respiratory infections and would not give them “special treatment.”  Has anyone else given this consideration or moved in this direction already?

I appreciate any responses and advice you may have.

Laura L Radke, MD

Adjunct Assistant Professor of Medicine

Senior Medical Director, F&MCW Occupational Health Services

Phone: 262-253-8197 | Fax: 262-253-5152 Cell Phone: 414-530-0723

E-mail: laura.radke@froedtert.com

Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Workforce Health / North Hills Health Center

Building B First Floor

W129 N7055 Northfield Dr.

Menomonee Falls, WI 53051

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