090911 RISD H1N1 StaffFac letter HR FINAL

							Information on H1N1 and Seasonal Flu

Dear RISD Faculty & Staff,

With the H1N1 flu virus continuing to circulate around the world, we are taking extra steps to prevent
the spread of flu on our campus and are requesting your assistance and support through out this flu
season. We will continue to work closely with the Rhode Island Department of Health [RIDOH] to
monitor the status of H1N1 in the community and will keep you informed of the same.

For all H1N1 news and information specific to the RISD community, visit www.risd.edu/H1N1.
For ongoing general updates, please check www.flu.gov. For policy regarding non-H1N1 related
illnesses, please refer to the staff handbook or the applicable collective bargaining agreement.

Recognizing that it is vitally important for you and your visitors to practice good health habits, hygiene,
and respiratory etiquette on campus, RISD has installed extra hand sanitizers across campus, and masks,
tissues, and wipes will be available for purchase at the RISD store. Other appropriate supplies for
minimizing the spread of the virus in studios and work spaces can be ordered via the facilities work
order system.

According to the Centers for Disease Control [CDC], vaccination is the best tool we have to prevent
influenza. RISD recommends that all members of the campus community get immunized for the
seasonal flu.
                             Seasonal Flu Clinic for Staff and Faculty*
                             September 23 (Wed.), 11AM - 3PM
                             3rd Floor Conference Room Prov/Wash

In addition, the CDC is reporting that a new H1N1 vaccine is currently in production and should be
ready for the public at the end of October. The H1N1 vaccine is not intended to replace the seasonal flu
vaccine – it is intended to be used in addition to it. RISD is aiming to offer the H1N1 vaccination(s)
during the November 4 Health Fair, pending availability and distribution from the CDC.

The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has made recommendations on the high-
risk populations who should receive the new H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available. These include
pregnant women, people with chronic medical conditions such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes, and
people with small children. If you identify with an H1N1 high-risk population, we encourage you to take
extra precautions and use your discretion when attending events on campus. You may also consult with
your supervisor/dean and HR to inquire about interim alternate scheduling and/or interim flexible work
arrangements.

If you have questions about work routines and schedules in light of H1N1 illnesses/situations, please
consult your supervisor/dean. Supervisors and deans are encouraged to consult with HR on the
interpretation of policies and their application to H1N1-related incidents. Below are some general
policy guidelines to follow with regard to H1N1:

   •   If you have influenza-like illness (ILI) – fever generally over 100.4˚F with either cough or sore
       throat – we encourage you to contact your health care provider and stay home for 24 hours after
    fever is gone without the use of fever-reducing medicines (any medicine that contains ibuprofen
    or acetaminophen).
•   Absences for H1N1 will be covered under sick time. If you have exhausted your sick time, use
    of personal time or vacation time may be available, following proper procedures to request use of
    this time from your supervisor/dean. If you have exhausted all of your paid time, you may
    request unpaid time. We do recognize that you may have difficulty getting a note from your
    physician to confirm that you or a dependent has ILI. If this is the case, please contact your
    supervisor/dean and HR.
•   As per our sick policy, you may use up to five sick days per year to care for ill dependents. If
    you need to be out for more than five days to care for a dependent with ILI and you still have
    sick time available, please contact your supervisor/dean and HR to request an exception to use
    your remaining sick time.
•   Similar to regular seasonal flu, H1N1 typically does not qualify for FMLA or Rhode Island
    Temporary Disability (TDI) since it normally does not meet the definition of a serious health
    condition or the State’s disability definition. However, if you have questions regarding FMLA
    or TDI, please contact Steven Lee at 401.454.6428 or Cathy Davis at 401.454.6429.
•   Supervisors and deans are encouraged to talk with staff and faculty about departmental
    procedures and to provide regular updates on workplace practices, adaptations, and schedules.
    Also, please be clear with any work-study students under your supervision that they should stay
    in their rooms or apartments if they show signs of illness.

All flu information available to the RISD campus will be archived at www.risd.edu/H1N1. A
letter that was sent to students and their families on September 3 is now posted. Also, please be
sure to stop by the HR table at this year’s annual Health Fair on November 4 to update your
emergency contact information.

Thank you for doing your part to keep RISD healthy. Best wishes for a great fall semester!

Sincerely,

Candace Baer