COVID-19 Information for Employees
Related Links
Contact Information
Human Resources
303 Tillman Hall
Rock Hill, SC 29733, USA
803/323-2273
803/323-4861 (fax)
HRhelp@winthrop.edu

COVID-19 Information for Employees

We are here to help you!
Winthrop's admissions team is ready and available to help you. If you have any questions, there are three ways you can contact us:
Phone: 803/323-2191
Email: Admissions@winthrop.edu
Virtual Chat: Click here to register

For updates, announcements and special messages from Admissions, please follow us on Instagram - @winthropadmissions

Also, please see our FAQs for prospective students and families amid Covid-19.

The Winthrop University leadership and the Critical Incident Management Team are closely monitoring the rapidly changing situation related to COVID-19 and will provide updates as necessary.  

    Phased Return to Work Plan (pdf - 227 KB)

    Expectations of employees to follow health guidance while on Winthrop's campus

    • Until further notice, employees will be asked to wear protective face coverings at all times, except when the employee is working alone in a private office.  Specifically, face coverings must be worn when the employee leaves their private work space and in all face-to-face interactions.  Currently Winthrop is supplying face coverings, and other PPE for facilities employees based on CDC guidelines for employees in certain professions.  For their own comfort and convenience, employees are encouraged to bring their own face covering when possible.
    • In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to protect the campus community, all Winthrop employees are asked to practice social distancing, follow CDC protocol for self-care, and wear face coverings while on campus.
    • See the Phased Return to Work Plan for additional information regarding what Winthrop is doing to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and how we are managing employee concerns.
        • Stay at least 6 feet from other people
        • Do not gather in groups
        • Stay out of crowded places and avoid mass gatherings
        • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. This is especially important after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going into the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.
        • Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, covering all surfaces of your hands and rubbing them together until they feel dry.
        • Soap and water are the best option, especially if hands are visibly dirty.
        • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
        • At the time of publication of this communication, according to DHEC, symptoms of COVID-19 include shortness of breath, coughing, fever of 100.4 °F or greater, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and/or new loss of taste or smell.
        • If you are experiencing symptoms or are sick, do not come to work.
        • If you become ill while at work, notify your supervisor, GO HOME IMMEDIATELY, CONTACT YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER, and contact LeeAnn Pounds (poundsl@winthrop.edu) in Human Resources, Employee Diversity, and Wellness for additional information and instructions.
        • If you appear sick, your supervisor may require you to go home.  (Supervisors should use discretion in determining when to send an employee home, taking into consideration symptoms associated with general allergies and the common cold.)  Please contact the office of Human Resources, Employee Diversity, and Wellness for assistance if necessary.
        • If you have been in close contact with any person known to have been diagnosed with COVID-19 DO NOT COME TO WORK.  You must first notify your supervisor and then contact LeeAnn Pounds (poundsl@winthrop.edu) in Human Resources, Employee Diversity, and Wellness regarding the need to self-quarantine and for additional instructions.  Should symptoms arise during your self-quarantine, you should follow CDC guidance regarding what to do if you are sick.  CONTACT YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY if your symptoms become severe.  You will need clearance from Human Resources, Employee Diversity, and Wellness before being allowed to return to work.
        • If you have been diagnosed with an active COVID-19 infection DO NOT COME TO WORK.  Employees who are diagnosed positive should contact the Office of Human Resources, Employee Diversity, and Wellness for additional guidance.
        • If you were diagnosed and have recovered from the COVID-19 virus, contact LeeAnn Pounds (poundsl@winthrop.edu) in Human Resources, Employee Diversity, and Wellness for clearance to return to work.
        • Known reckless behavior on the part of any employee may result in a requirement to self-quarantine and/or in disciplinary action.
        • See the Phased Return to Work Plan for additional information regarding what Winthrop is doing to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and how we are managing employee concerns.

       

      Employee Required Training and Resources

       

      Employees in leave-eligible positions must continue to submit timesheets and leave reports following the submission deadlines on Wingspan (regardless of whether the employee is working from home or not working at all).

      • Employees may use accrued sick leave for COVID-19 related absences if they are not working.
      • Employees are eligible to request up to 15 days of advanced sick leave to use during this time, if they have exhausted all other available leave. Complete and submit the Sick Leave Advancement Request form.
      • The March 23, 2020 communication to faculty and staff includes additional information about reporting work time.

      Any employee, including student and temporary employees, MAY be eligible for emergency paid leave under the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act that became effective on April 1, 2020.  Please refer to the section on the COVID-19 Information for Employees entitled “Families First Coronavirus Response Act” for information about the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (EPSL) and the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Act (EFMLA), including instructions regarding how to request leave under either of these programs if employees believe themselves to be eligible. 

      How to Apply for Emergency Paid Sick Leave (EPSL)

      Employees who are interested in requesting Emergency Paid Sick Leave (EPSL) may do so by completing and submitting the request form to hrhelp@winthrop.edu. Human Resources will review and notify employees if they are approved. Once Human Resources approves the leave, employees will then report the hours on their timesheet or leave report as “Emergency Paid Sick Leave”. For more information about the EPSL, click here.
      How to Apply for Emergency Family Medical Leave Act (EFMLA)

      Employees who are interested in requesting leave under the Emergency Family Medical Leave Act (EFMLA) may do so by completing and submitting the request form to hrhelp@winthrop.edu. Human Resources will review and notify employees if they are approved. Once Human Resources approves the leave, employees will then report the hours on their timesheet or leave report as “Emergency FMLA”. For more information about the EFMLA, click here.

      The above leave codes on the timesheet and leave report may only be used AFTER the employee has submitted the form and received approval for EPSL or EFMLA. On the Employee Detail tab in Wingspan, the number of approved hours will show in the Leave Balance section.

      Telecommuting Guidelines
      Ideas for Working from Remotely
      Telecommuting or Remote Work Plan

      FAQs
      Sick Leave Advancement Request Form (State)
      FFCRA Emergency Paid Sick Leave Form (EPSL)
      FFCRA Emergency FMLA Paid Leave Form
      FFCRA Supplemental Accrued Leave Request Form

      April 27, 2020 - FFCRA Childcare Assistance for Essential Workers
      April 1, 2020 - FFCRA Notice from WU HR
      March 30, 2020 - FFCRA Notice from SC HR
      March 26, 2020 - Remote Work for Student Employees
      March 26, 2020 - EAP Resources
      March 23, 2020 - DHEC Notification
      March 23, 2020 - Time and Leave Reporting
      March 20, 2020 - Notice to Employees

      Resources for Faculty and Staff

        How to put on personal protective equipment

        Social distancing

        Do your part to slow the spread

        How to make your own face covering

        Protect yourself

        Stay home when you are sick

        Stop the spread of germs

        How to prevent

        What you need to know about handwashing

        How does flu make you sick?

        More videos like this are available on the CDC Youtube channel.

      DHEC PSA: Coping with Stressful Events

      Unemployment Benefits and COVID-19 Changes:

      The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (SC DEW) launched the COVID-19 hub to answer questions related to unemployment claims and provide instructions as to online filing for benefits.  Only SC DEW can tell you whether or not you are eligible to collect unemployment benefits and the amount that will be awarded.

      A DEW Fact Sheet with common questions is also available.

      Some of the normal eligibility requirements have been waived in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic by the SC Governor’s March 19 Executive Order in Section 2. With new federal laws being enacted in recent days changing the normal procedure and awards for unemployment, additional updated information will likely be published in the future.

      FFCRA Poster

      Emergency Paid Sick Leave Guidelines        (Form)

      Emergency FMLA Expansion Guidelines      (EFMLA Form)

      Supplemental Accrued Leave Request Form (to cover pay differential)

      Childcare Assistance for Essential Workers     (Application)

     

    The Office of Human Resources can be reached via email at hrhelp@winthrop.edu for questions regarding this topic.

    Last Updated: 5/20/20