Purpose
In accordance with Wilkes University’s commitment to provide a safe environment for all members of our community this policy has been adopted as a safeguard against COVID-19, an infectious disease that is reduced by vaccinations. This policy will comply with all applicable laws and is based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health authorities, as applicable.
Scope
All employees who are required to work on campus property and/or who physically interact with others in the Wilkes community are required to submit documentation of either their vaccination, or complete and submit an exemption form.
Procedures
Employees must submit their vaccination record or complete an exemption form no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, August 13, 2021. Employees completing the exemption form are then required to adhere to all guidelines and restrictions to which unvaccinated faculty and staff may be subject, including but not limited to complying with quarantine or isolation requirements if exposed to COVID-19 or test positive (including the possibility of quarantining/isolating off campus) and participating in regular assurance testing conducted by or at the request of the University.
- Staff employees who do not provide vaccination records or complete the request for exemption form by August 13 will receive a written warning. Failure to comply by August 24 will result in a final written warning. Failure to comply by August 30 will result an indefinite suspension from work without pay.
- Faculty members who do not provide vaccination records or complete the request for exemption form by August 13 will receive a minor sanction. Failure to comply by August 24 will result in a final minor sanction. Failure to comply by August 30 will result the imposition of a severe sanction with an indefinite suspension from work without pay.
- Staff employees who submit an exemption form but do not comply with the testing protocol will receive a final written warning following the first missed scheduled testing appointment. Employees who miss a second scheduled appointment will be indefinitely suspended from work without pay.
- Faculty members who submit an exemption form but do not comply with the testing protocol will receive a minor sanction following the first missed scheduled testing appointment. Faculty members who miss a second scheduled appointment will receive a severe sanction with an indefinite suspension from work without pay.
Faculty and Staff employees who have been suspended without pay from work and failed to comply with the terms and conditions of the waiver shall be considered as resigning their positions after the passing of 14 calendar days of the start of their unpaid suspension. Therefore their employment shall be terminated with the university.
Please direct any questions regarding this policy to Human Resources.
Created June 2021