Miami Dade College Homepage > FLU (influenza) Awareness

Faculty and Staff FAQs

Please remember to comply with the College's HIPPA policy which requires College employees to respect the privacy of student and employee health information. This means that we are all prohibited from transmitting/discussing the personal health information of our students and employees. See the College Policy II-81A for more information.

Student Attendance

 Employee Attendance

Student Attendance

How will I know if a student is sick with H1N1?   back to top

You will not know if a student is sick with H1N1. The CDC, Florida Department of Health and Miami-Dade County Health Department are no longer testing for H1N1 unless a patient is hospitalized or has an existing high risk condition. The CDC recommends people to stay home for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever or signs of a fever (have chills, feel very warm, have a flushed appearance, or are sweating). This should be determined without the use of fever-reducing medications (any medicine that contains ibuprofen or acetaminophen). Staying away from others while sick can prevent others from getting sick too.

Can I ask a student to leave class if they appear to be sick? back to top

No. A student cannot be removed from class after arriving ill, but you can encourage them to go home, take care of themselves, and return 24 hours after their fever drops below 100 degrees.

What changes can I make to my course structure to minimize the impact of the widespread absences that are predicted this fall? back to top

Faculty are encouraged, whenever possible, to use college email accounts to share course resources and to collect assignments from students.

Shouldn’t students just drop my class if they get the flu? back to top

Most students will be able to make up the work missed because of a bout with the flu virus, typically 3-4 days. Students must consider a wide range of academic and financial issues as they decide whether to drop a course or withdraw from the entire semester. New legislation requires students to pay back any portion of their tuition that was covered by the Bright Futures scholarship when they drop a course or withdraw. Instead of advising students to drop a course, faculty should advise students to see an advisor before making decisions regarding course drops and withdrawals.

What can I do to help? back to top

  • Stay Informed - The MDC Flu Awareness website at www.mdc.edu/flu will be updated periodically with the latest guidance from the CDC and Miami-Dade County Health Department.
  • Promote Prevention - Inform students about the MDC Flu Awareness website at www.mdc.edu/flu and the steps they can take to prevent from being infected by the flu virus.
  • Monitor Uncharacteristic Absenteeism - If you believe your class is experiencing an uncharacteristic rate of absenteeism as a result of the flu season, please inform your department chair so the information can be further evaluated by the appropriate personnel.

Employee Attendance

As an employee, what preventative measures can I take during the flu season? back to top

All employees are encouraged to effectively cover their cough and/or sneeze, use good hand hygiene and stay home when exhibiting flu-like symptoms.

Can I work if I am exhibiting flu-like symptoms? back to top

If you are unable to perform your job duties, or appear to be exposing others to the flu, you will be asked to go home.

If I am sent home how will I be paid? back to top

Any employee (full- or part-time) that is directed by their supervisor to go home because of illness will be paid for the remainder of the day.

If I stay home from work due to illness, how will I be paid? back to top

The following options are available although not all options will be available in all situations depending upon the nature of the job responsibilities and the extent of the illness:

If you stay home due to illness and you are a:
     *full-time employee, your supervisor will initially record you as being out on sick leave.
     *part-time employee, your time sheet will not reflect any work hours. 

Full-time employees that are absent for any additional days, will be required to use their own accrued leave.  See the following leave categories: 

  • Use accrued Personal Leave (All full-time employees)
  • Use accrued Bank Point Leave (Faculty only)
  • Use accrued Vacation Leave (SNE, PENC, & PEC employees)
  • Use accrued Compensatory Time (SNE employees only)
  • Use accrued Professional Staff Accrued Leave (PEC)
  • Administrative Leave is not permitted.

Part-time employees, will need to request supervisory approval for an absence without pay.

I don't have leave to cover my absence from work due to a severe flu season. How can I afford to stay home until I am completely well before returning to work? back to top

To minimize the potential exposure to others, it is very important that you do not return to work until at least 24 hours after you are free of fever, or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications.
The following options are available although not all options will be available in all situations depending upon the nature of the job responsibilities and the extent of the illness:

  • Full-time employees:  If you are a member of the College’s Sick Leave Pool, you may request paid leave, provided you meet the eligibility criteria.
  • Part-time employees are not paid when they do not work, however with the approval of your supervisor, upon your return to work, you may be able to make up the missed work during the same pay period.

May I request to go home if I don’t want to be exposed to a sick coworker who isn’t sent home? back to top

Yes, with supervisory approval you may leave work; however, you must use your own accrued personal, vacation leave or request a Leave without Pay. However, your supervisor is not required to approve your request.  With your supervisor’s approval, full-time employees may be required to work an altered schedule; part-time employees may be asked to make up the work in the same pay period.

I’m not sick, but I don’t want to come to work for fear of becoming ill. Is my supervisor required to approve my request for time off? back to top

It is important to educate yourself about the H1N1 virus and its transmission.With the prior approval of your supervisor, you may request to take personal, vacation or leave without pay; however, your supervisor is not required to approve your time off request, especially if your department is short staffed or if there is a large volume of work to be completed.

Again, part-time employees may be asked to make up the work in the same pay period.

When can I return to work if I have had the flu? back to top

You can return to work as early as 24 hours after you are free of fever or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications. After an absence of five (5)  or more consecutive work days, all employees (full- and part-time) will be required to provide a release completed by your health care provider indicating you have been medically cleared to return to work. (See Procedure 2502 Sick Leave Non-Instructional Personnel; Article 12 Leaves, UFMDC Collective Bargaining Agreement).

Does FMLA apply if I contract the flu during a severe flu season? Does FMLA apply if my spouse or child contracts flu during a severe flu season, and I must stay home to care for him/her?back to top

In most cases yes, provided the employee and family member meets the eligibility requirements. A qualifying condition is one that involves either an overnight stay in a medical care facility or continuing treatment by a healthcare provider. The continuing treatment requirement may be met by a period of incapacity of more than 3 consecutive calendar days combined with at least two visits to a healthcare provider or one visit and a regimen of continuing treatment. 

During a severe flu season, can my supervisor cancel my vacation leave request that has already been approved? back to top

Yes. Your supervisor has the authority to cancel any pre-approved leave request, especially in circumstances where there are serious staffing shortages as a result of illness. Your leave can also be cancelled if you have been designated as “essential personnel” due to the nature of your job responsibilities.

My child’s school/day care is closed due the severe flu season, and my child is not sick. I have no other child care arrangements. Can I bring him/her to work with me? back to top

No. Bringing a child to work is prohibited.  With supervisory approval, you may use accrued personal, vacation leave or leave without pay to stay home with your child, rather than come into work.

My child’s school/day care is closed due to the severe flu season, and my child is not sick. I have no other child care arrangements and must stay home with him/her. How will I be paid? back to top

Promptly notify your supervisor of the reason for your absence and your anticipated return to work date. (See Procedure 2502 Sick Leave Non-Instructional Personnel; Article 12 Leaves, UFMDC Collective Bargaining Agreement) In this situation, the following options are available although not all options will be available in all situations depending upon the nature of your job responsibilities:

  • Use accrued Personal Leave ( All full-time employees)
  • Use accrued Bank Point Leave (Faculty only) 
  • Use accrued Vacation Leave (SNE, PENC, & PEC employees)
  • Use accrued Compensatory Time (SNE employees only)
  • Use accrued Professional Staff Accrued Leave (PEC)
  • Administrative Leave is not permitted.

As a supervisor, I have an employee who is ill and has come into work. I’m concerned about the potential for exposure to other people. Can I send this employee home? back to top

Yes, after consulting with Human Resources. The decision to send an employee home is to be made on a case-by-case basis. Of greatest concern is an employee with a fever greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit and a cough; this employee should definitely be sent home. Other symptoms (sore throat, sneezing) may also be of concern.

As a supervisor, what can/should I be doing to keep my other employees from getting ill? back to top

Please make sure to repeatedly advise employees of the basic preventative measures listed at the beginning of this FAQ. 

Again, they are;
*practice good hygiene * frequent hand washing* if you have no tissue, cover your nose and mouth with your sleeve if you cough or sneeze* avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with your hands* post flu flyers throughout your work area*If you have flu symptoms and/or are unable to perform your job duties, do not come to work.

As a supervisor, is there anything I can do to ensure the continuity of operations in my work area? back to top

Miami Dade College is working with the Miami-Dade County Health Department to identify any uncharacteristic absenteeism rates throughout the county. If you believe your department is experiencing an uncharacteristic absenteeism rate (e.g. 50% or more) or can no longer perform essential work functions due to the number of employees out sick, please make sure to notify your supervisor and the College's Office of Emergency Preparedness immediately. Please send your message to mdcalerts@mdc.edu with the words “Flu Absenteeism Concern” in the subject line.  Please report only dates of absences and number of employees.  Do not report individual employee information.

Can I wear a disposable mask to work? back to top

Yes, but the CDC states that the use of facemasks and respirators generally are not recommended in community, work and home settings due to their limited effectiveness to decrease the risk of flu infection. Instead the risk for infection can be reduced through a combination of actions. No single action will provide complete protection, but an approach combining the following steps can help decrease the likelihood of transmission. These recommended actions are:

  • Wash hands frequently with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand cleaner when soap and water are not available.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
  • People who are sick with an influenza-like illness (ILI) (fever plus at least cough or sore throat and possibly other symptoms like runny nose, body aches, headaches, chills, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea) should stay home and keep away from others as much as possible, including avoiding travel, for at least 24 hours after fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Fever should be gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine). 
  • Avoid close contact (i.e. being within about 6 feet) with persons with ILI.

Miami Dade College is an equal access/equal opportunity institution and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, marital status, age, religion, national origin,
disability, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, or genetic information. Contact the Office of Equal Opportunity Programs/ADA Coordinator, at 305.237.2577 for information.