Employee FAQs

Find answers to FAQs for employees related to Camosun College & COVID-19. We will update these FAQs as new information becomes available.

Latest update: Monday, March 14, 2022

What is the college’s notification process when people have symptoms of COVID-19, test positive, or need to self-isolate?

  • If you’re sick, stay home.
  • Employees who have symptoms, test positive for COVID-19 or need to self-isolate should email their workplace leader, if their work schedule or attendance will be impacted by absence. Employees are also encouraged to notify OHS@camosun.ca to self report and provide voluntary information.
  • Students who have symptoms, test positive for COVID-19 or need to self-isolate should email their instructor(s) if their class participation or attendance will be impacted, as per regular practice for absence due to illness.

If you test positive

If you test negative

  • Stay home until your symptoms improve
  • Do not attend campus activities until you feel well enough to return to regular activities

If you are a close contact

  • Follow guidance on how to self monitor
  • You may attend campus and continue with regular activities if you are free of symptoms

How long should an employee self-isolate?

  • The amount of time depends on vaccination status and age
  • Review the timelines for recommended self-isolation

Can employees with an underlying health condition be accommodated to work remotely?

  • It is anticipated that the COVID-19 vaccination will contribute to the safety of all employees, including those with underlying health conditions, such that the safety risks will be similar to pre-pandemic circumstances. Employees should discuss the safety practices being implemented with their workplace leader and consult with their doctor to evaluate the level of risk for their condition.
  • If you present with medically-supported functional limitations that you feel may prevent you from being on campus or require additional safety measures, please consult with your Employee Health Advisor to determine if a medical accommodation may be appropriate.  Should it be determined that remote work may be an appropriate medical accommodation, but is not operationally feasible, other leave options may be explored.
  • Medical accommodations are provided when an employee has a diagnosed medical condition that presents with medically supported restrictions or limitations impacting an employee’s functional capabilities to perform their job demands. The specific accommodation measure(s) implemented to support the employee will be dependent upon the employee’s functional capabilities and the college’s operational requirements, including pedagogical and service level needs.

Can employees who care for a family member with a medical condition that makes them clinically vulnerable to COVID-19 be accommodated to work remotely?

  • Workplace accommodations may be provided when an employee’s family obligations are such that there is a serious interference between their workplace and family responsibilities. The specific accommodation measure(s) implemented would be dependent on the employee’s individual circumstances and the college’s operational requirements, including pedagogical and service level needs.
  • It is anticipated that the COVID-19 vaccination will contribute to the safety of all British Columbians, including those with underlying health conditions, such that the safety risks will be similar to pre-pandemic circumstances.  Employees should discuss the safety practices being implemented with their workplace leader and consult with their family member and their family member’s doctor to evaluate the level of risk.
  • If your family member does present with a medical condition that may require you to work remotely, as a means of reducing risk to your family member, please contact your Human Resources Consultant to explore the family status accommodation process. Should it be determined that remote work may be an appropriate family status accommodation, but is not operationally feasible, other leave options may be explored.

What should I do if I’m experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19?

  • Stay home until you feel well enough to return to your regular activities.
  • Learn about testing for COVID-19 and complete the Self-Assessment Tool
  • Manage your symptoms at home
  • Employees, students, or guests experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19 are not permitted to be on-campus.
  • If employees, students, or guests arrive on campus displaying symptoms associated with COVID-19, they may be asked to remove themselves from campus until their symptoms resolve.
  • Employees may be requested to provide medical notes for absences of five days or more at the college’s discretion.

What happens with employees who need to self-isolate but are asymptomatic?

  • If the employee’s job allows for work from home, then the employee may work from home during the required self-isolation period. It is recognized however that not all positions can be performed from home. In those situations, employees should speak with their workplace leader to determine whether a temporary alternative schedule can be arranged, what leave provisions may be utilized under their respective collective agreement/terms and conditions of employment, or what other leaves may be accessible to them.
  • Employees who are not sick but are unable to work because they are self-isolating in accordance with public health guidance may be entitled to either an applicable leave under the appropriate collective agreement, such as vacation or unpaid leave, or appropriate COVID-19 benefits and services offered through Service Canada. For information on these benefits and services, visit https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/covid19-emergency-benefits.html

What happens to my pay if I’m directed to self-isolate?

  • Employees who are not sick but are unable to work because they are self-isolating in accordance with public health guidance are not entitled to the sick leave provisions of their collective agreement/terms and conditions of employment.
  • Depending on the circumstances, employees may be entitled to another leave under their collective agreement/terms and conditions of employment and should discuss their options with their workplace leader.
  • Employees who are not eligible for any leave under their collective agreement/terms and conditions of employment may be eligible for COVID-19 benefits and services offered through Service Canada. For information on COVID-19 related these benefits and services, visit https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/covid19-emergency-benefits.html

What options may be available for leaves under the Canada Recovery Benefits Act?

Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB)

  • The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) gives income support to employed and self-employed individuals who are unable to work because they are sick or need to self-isolate due to COVID-19, or have an underlying health condition that puts them at greater risk of getting COVID-19. The CRSB is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
  • If you are eligible for the CRSB, you can receive $500 ($450 after taxes withheld) for a one-week period.
  • If your situation continues, you will need to apply again. You may apply for up to a total of six weeks between Sept. 27, 2020 and May 7, 2022. Visit https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/recovery-sickness-benefit.html

Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB)

  • The Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) gives income support to employed and self-employed individuals who are unable to work because they must care for their child under 12 years old or a family member who needs supervised care. This applies if their school, regular program or facility is closed or unavailable to them due to COVID-19, or because they are sick, self-isolating, or at risk of serious health complications due to COVID-19. The CRCB is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
  • If you are eligible for the CRCB, your household can receive $500 ($450 after taxes withheld) for each one-week period.
  • If your situation continues, you will need to apply again. Each household may apply for up to a total of 44 weeks between Sept. 27, 2020 and May 7, 2022. Visit https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/recovery-caregiving-benefit.html

What happens if a faculty member is sick? Can classes move online?

  • Any employee who is sick should stay home.
  • Faculty cannot arbitrarily move to online or hybrid. The modality has been set, we need to stick to it unless directed otherwise by the Provincial Health Officer.
  • If a faculty member is unwell, they should stay home and not be working. If absences go beyond two classes, the college will attempt to find a substitute. Please follow your normal sick leave protocol as per your collective agreement/terms and conditions of employment or employment contract, which may include the requirement for a medical note for absences of five days or more.

What information is available to employees who need to take time off work for COVID-19 symptoms?

  • Information associated with absences from campus due to COVID-19 can be found in the college’s Directive for all students and employees related to Absences from Campus Due to COVID-19.
  • If, at any time, an employee experiences symptoms associated with COVID-19 that prevent them from performing assigned work duties, sick leave provisions in Collective Agreements or Terms and Conditions of Employment for Exempt Employees will apply, which may include a requirement to provide a medical note for absences of five days or more.

What happens if I miss work due to illness?

  • Please contact your workplace leader to help determine if a medical note is required to support your absence. Usual provisions of the applicable collective agreement will apply.
  • Workplace leaders should always advise the Employee Health Advisor of absences of five days or more and the Employee Health Advisor can assist in determining if a medical note is needed.

What happens with employees after the initial sick leave period if the person continues to be sick with COVID-19?

  • Eligible employees who continue to be ill after their initial sick leave period (this period is dependent on your employee group) are required to apply for short-term disability benefits as per the college’s standard process. For more information on the College’s sick leave processes, visit our Intranet.

Feeling anxious? Need support?

  • Whether you’re feeling anxious, or just having difficulty maintaining your mental wellbeing, it is important to recognize that this is a common emotion to experience during times of change and that support is available , including the following:
    • Talk to someone
      A strong support network can make a significant difference in caring for one’s mental well-being.  Support can be found from a variety of places – friends, family, healthcare providers, and from our supports here at the College.
      You can also reach out to your Employee Health Advisor who may be able to assist in finding the supports you need.
    • Healthcare Support
      Seeking professional support from a healthcare provider can be extremely beneficial in addressing and coping with change. Many employees have access to healthcare supports through their extended health and benefits plans, including:
      • Homewood Health, our employee and family assistance program. Homewood Health provides free and confidential telephone-based, online, or in-person counselling, coaching, and e-learning services to employees and their eligible family members. Homewood Health can be accessed 24/7 by contacting 1-800-663-1142.  Visit this link to learn more about Homewood Health’s services.
      • Reimbursement of professional services fees to visit a psychologist or clinical counsellor. Coverage will vary per employment group.  Please refer to your benefits booklet to determine what coverage is available to you.
        If you are having difficulty seeking healthcare support, the following resources may be able to assist you:
    • Healthy Together!
      Healthy Together! continues to provide resources health-related resources. The information in our CamHelps articles provide relevant support and resources to assist in navigating these challenges; our monthly newsletters explore relevant health topics and events happening across campus; and our Sharepoint site offers a variety of wellness resources.
      If you’re looking for information on a specific topic, please contact healthytogether@camosun.ca.
    • Camosun College’s COVID-19 Employee Mental Well-being Support Plan (the Plan)
      The Plan was implemented in November 2020 to help support employees through the pandemic by building resilience, reducing stigma surrounding mental well-being, and providing learning and development opportunities that relate to the COVID-19 experience.
      More information about The Plan is available is available here and ongoing learning opportunities and initiatives continue to be published in the weekly CamNews.
    • Emergency help is available.
      For emergency or urgent mental health support, the following resources are available:
      The Vancouver Island Crisis Line (1-888-494-3888) provides 24/7 support, including crisis intervention, information, and resources to Island residents
      The KUU-US Crisis Response Service (1-800-588-8717) provides 24/7 culturally-aware crisis support to Indigenous people in B.C.
      Call 911

 

Where do I need to wear a mask?

  • As of March 11, face coverings are optional in all indoor public settings at Camosun, including classrooms.
  • Please be respectful of individual choices when it comes to face coverings and physical distancing. 
  • Vaccinations remain the primary layer of protection and Camosun strongly encourages all eligible people to get vaccinated. 

Who should I notify at the college, and when is it safe for me to return to campus? 

  • Review the BCCDC guidelines for self isolation to determine your safe return date
  • If you are a student, please notify your instructor(s) of the dates that you will need to miss in-person instruction due to self-isolating
  • If you are an employee, please notify your workplace leader if your work schedule or attendance will be impacted by absence.

What is the college doing to improve ventilation in buildings?

  • As per BCCDC return-to-campus guidance, Camosun continues to ensure that all mechanical heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems are designed, operated and maintained in accordance with WorkSafe BC requirements and ASHRAE Standards for indoor air quality, and that they are working properly.
  • Watch this video on the college’s ventilation systems.

Are students and employees required to physically distance in indoor spaces?

  • While physical distancing is not required, we still need to respect people’s personal space.

Are there additional sanitizing measures?

  • Camosun continues to clean and disinfect educational spaces, public spaces and high touch areas daily.
  • As per the BCCDC return to campus guidance, cleaning is not required between classes.

What if I don’t feel safe being on campus?

Can I come to work if a close contact has COVID-19?

  • A close contact is generally someone who has been near a person with COVID-19 for at least 15 minutes when health and safety measures were not in place or were insufficient.
  • Whether notified of a COVID-19 exposure or not, everyone should routinely monitor for symptoms and stay home if you feel unwell or develop symptoms.  
  • If symptoms develop, stay home until you are well enough to participate in your usual activities and check if testing is recommended 

Are there any provisions for employees who need to self-isolate for 10 days and do not have any COVID-19 symptoms?

  • Employees required to self-isolate, and who are able, can work from home with the approval of their Dean or Director. Otherwise, employees can access appropriate leave provisions of their applicable collective agreement or terms and conditions of employment such as vacation or unpaid leave.
  • Please visit the general section of the Employee FAQs for information on what happens with your pay if you are required to self-isolate but do not have any COVID-19 symptoms.
  • Should an employee become symptomatic over the course of their self-isolation, sick leave provisions of the applicable collective agreement or terms and conditions of employment would apply.

How will the college address people who feel their workplace is unsafe?

  • As per WorkSafeBC, if you have reasonable cause to believe that performing a job or task puts you or someone else at risk, you must not perform the job or task. You must immediately notify your supervisor or employer, who will then take the appropriate steps to determine if the work is unsafe and remedy the situation.

Can I come onto campus after travelling outside of BC or Canada?

  • The college follows the direction of the Province of BC and the BC Centre for Disease Control in relation to travel.
  • For information on travelling to BC from another province, visit the Province of BC website at https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/travel/current#leaving.
  • For information on returning to BC from outside of Canada, visit the BC Centre for Disease Control website at http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/self-isolation.
  • Should an employee be required to self-isolate as a result of travel, where possible, the employer will consider if it's operationally feasible for the employee to work from home for the duration of the isolation period. If it is not operationally feasible to work from home, the employee may have the option of using vacation time or taking an unpaid leave of absence. Sick leave is not available for this purpose.

How do I self-isolate?

How soon can a person return to campus after going home because they were showing COVID-19 symptoms? Do people still need to self-isolate for 14 days or get tested? How do we notify others (employees or students)?

  • Anyone who exhibits COVID-19 symptoms should stay home
    • Check if testing is recommended and use the Self-Assessment Tool.
    • Check if you may benefit from treatment
    • Determine the applicable self-isolation timeline
    • Manage symptoms
    • Call 8-1-1 for direction. If the individual is directed to be tested for COVID-19, the next course of action will be determined based on the test results and public health direction. This may include a direction to self-isolate. Information on self-isolation/self-monitoring can be found on the BC Centre for Disease Control website at http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/self-isolation.
  • If a test comes back negative but symptoms persist, the person will be asked to stay home until the symptoms abate. Medical notes may be requested for absences of five days or more at the College’s discretion.
  • Island Health will contact the college in the event there is a need for contact tracing.

Can I ask a colleague or other individual at the college if they are vaccinated?

  • No, an individual’s vaccination status is confidential and is protected under the British Columbia Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA).  If a colleague or other individual at the college asks you of your vaccination status, you are not required to provide this information.