Resources for Faculty, Staff, and Students
The University of Georgia continues to provide resources for health and wellbeing, online learning and instruction, and other basic needs.
Employee Benefits Resources
Campus Messages regarding Employee Benefits
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New Paid Leave Provisions under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
Information on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act which includes a provision for emergency paid sick leave and an expansion of Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) coverage.
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Free COVID-19 Screenings for UGA Faculty and Staff
All University System of Georgia employees are now eligible for free COVID-19 virtual screenings through Augusta University Health System’s AU Health Express Care app.
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UGA Faculty and Staff Non-Closure Emergency Leave Procedures
The University System of Georgia (USG) has issued Non-Closure Emergency Leave Procedures that give USG presidents the authority to allow Leave with Pay for emergency leave where the institution remains open but with reduced operations.
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USG Healthcare Plan and Other Benefits Resources
As the situation related to COVID-19 evolves, we want to make sure you are aware of the important benefits and resources available to you through the USG Benefits programs.
Frequently Asked Questions about Employee Benefits
Yes, for those faculty and staff who accrue vacation leave, the 360-hour calendar year cap for vacation leave time is still in effect. While the implementation of public health emergencies across the United States and the world due to the Coronavirus pandemic have restricted travel and made it more difficult to take a vacation, all employees should consider how they plan to use their vacation leave time if their vacation leave balances are currently near or over the 360- hour calendar year cap.
USG provides an employee assistance program to employees and family members with free, comprehensive support through the KEPRO Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Support is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at 1-844-243-4440.
UGA also offers additional support for employees, including:
- Grief Counseling through MetLife (USG life insurance). Call 1-888-319-7819 for more information.
- Kiz Adams/Human Resources, UGA Well-being Coordinator. Email wellbeing@uga.edu or call 706-542-7319.
- The database of mental health professionals in the Athens area can be found here.
The federal entitlement leave benefits from FFCRA cover the care for others and the extended FMLA benefits care for children while the school is closed due to a public health emergency associated with COVID-19.
Yes, for COVID-19 related in-network provider visits and testing, out of pocket costs such as deductibles, copayments and coinsurance, will be waived (no cost) for you and any covered dependents if you are enrolled in one of the USG healthcare plans through Anthem BCBSGA or Kaiser Permanente (including employees enrolled in the Consumer Choice HSA).
The Human Resources Team has outlined provisions taken for each of the 16 required measures. You can read more in their document. If you have questions or concerns, please talk to your supervisor or contact your department HR liaison.
The Human Resources team has posted a chart to help you identify your situation and the work and leave options for each situation. However, you can always reach out to your departmental HR liaison for more help.
Yes, FMLA allows an eligible employee to take FMLA leave if either the employee or an immediate family member, defined as spouse, child or parent, contracts the virus.
It depends...
If you are eligible for FMLA and you have tested positive for COVID-19, then yes FMLA will be available to you.
If employees have only been exposed to the virus, FMLA is not applicable. However, they may still need to be quarantined, and applicable non-FMLA leave (to include sick leave) could be an option subject to standard request and approval procedures.
Employees should consult with their supervisors about teleworking and flexible schedule options. Supervisors have increased flexibility to approve telework and flexible schedules in order to comply with the Governor’s directive to reduce the number of employees on-site at any given time. Authorized managers can waive the requirement to complete the usual telework agreement and may use email to confirm approval to telework.