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H1N1 Influenza (Swine Flu)

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Pandemic Influenza Planning –
Frequently Asked Questions for Academic Employees

  1. What is a flu pandemic?
  2. What are the symptoms of influenza?
  3. What is the procedure if I am demonstrating flu-like symptoms and need to call in sick?
  4. What if I am exposed to the influenza virus, but am not exhibiting symptoms?
  5. Am I expected to attend work in the event of a declared pandemic?
  6. What if I have been quarantined by an order of a Public Health Unit?
  7. Can I request a paid leave to care for a dependent who is exhibiting flu-like symptoms?
  8. Will I be required to provide a medical note confirming the absence?
  9. What if I do not wish to remain absent from work for the duration established in the Toronto Public Health guideline, and would like to return to work early?
  10. What if my teaching assistant/tutorial assistant is off sick due to flu-like symptoms?
  11. What if a student in my class is exhibiting flu-like symptoms?
  12. What if a student misses an assignment or a test due to having flu-like symptoms?

1. What is a flu pandemic?

A flu pandemic is different from a seasonal flu outbreak. A pandemic is a large scale epidemic that may spread across several countries and continents.
A flu pandemic is triggered by a highly infectious flu virus affecting a large number of people within a short period of time.

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2. What are the symptoms of influenza?

  1. Sudden onset of symptoms
  2. High fever with chills and sweating spells
  3. Other possible symptoms include: bad headache, aching muscles and joints, severe fatigue, weakness, severe sore throat and/or difficulty swallowing. Refer to the Adult Influenza Self Assessment Tool under "Quick Links”.

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3. What is the procedure if I am demonstrating flu-like symptoms and need to call in sick?

As would normally be expected, course directors, librarians, and teaching assistants should notify the appropriate academic unit, or office, of any absences from work including missed class(es).

Please note that, unless otherwise confirmed by a note from a medical doctor, you will be expected to stay at home in accordance with public health guidelines for the strain of virus. Based on currently available information, the infectious period for H1 N1 is normally around 7 days but, in any event, you should be free of a fever for at least 24 hours (without the aid of fever-reducing medicine) prior to returning to work.

It is expected at this point that standard practices will be followed regarding the coverage/make-up of classes in circumstances where an instructor is absent due to illness. For example, colleagues may be asked to fill in on a short-term basis or, as an alternative, instructors may consider making their course materials available to students.

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4. What if I am exposed to the influenza virus, but am not exhibiting symptoms?

In such a circumstance, an employee is expected to attend to work responsibilities unless under a Public Health initiated quarantine order.

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5. Am I expected to attend work in the event of a declared pandemic?

Unless advised otherwise, employees are expected to attend to work responsibilities, as scheduled.

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6. What if I have been quarantined by an order of a Public Health Unit?

In the event that an employee has been quarantined by an order of a Public Health Unit, the employee is required to remain at home for the duration of the Public Health Initiated Quarantine Order.

During the absence, the employee may use his/her paid sick leave provisions.

Arrangements to have your classes covered by a colleague, if relevant, should be coordinated with your academic unit.

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7. Can I request a paid leave to care for a dependent who is exhibiting flu-like symptoms?

Employees may use their paid sick/compassionate/emergency leave provisions to care for dependents in accordance with the operative collective agreement or established procedure.

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8. Will I be required to provide a medical note confirming the absence?

Out of concern of overburdening healthcare providers, employees will not be required to produce a medical note for absences due to influenza.

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9. What if I do not wish to remain absent from work for the duration established in the Toronto Public Health guideline, and would like to return to work early?

Employees will be expected to remain at home in accordance with public health guidelines, unless they have medical documentation confirming an earlier return to work (please see 3 above).

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10. What if my teaching assistant/tutorial assistant is off sick due to flu-like symptoms?

At this point, the expectation is that normal practices, subject to Faculty policies or guidelines, will be followed regarding the coverage/make-up of classes and tutorials in circumstances in which the instructor/TA/tutorial leader is absent due to illness.

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11. What if a student in my class is exhibiting flu-like symptoms?

Students exhibiting flu-like symptoms should be advised of public health instructions for individuals with symptoms of influenza to stay home. Instructors should also refer students in this circumstance to the University’s H1 N1 website and the self-assessment tool available on the site and recommend that if they believe that they have influenza they should go home (or to their residence room) in accordance with public health guidelines and other information on the University’s H1 N1 website.

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12. What if a student misses an assignment or a test due to having flu-like symptoms?

Students are not to be required to provide a medical note for absences/missed assignments or tests in cases of illness due to influenza. This departure from normal practices is to address the concern of public health authorities that the heath care system may become overburdened by the volume of patient visits.

Course directors are asked to manage to the extent possible any adjustments as may be required for assignments and to provide as much flexibility as possible in their evaluation schemes where attendance or activities requiring attendance make up part of the grade assessment.

In cases where a Faculty would normally require a student to petition for a deferral in the case of a missed midterm or exam, the Faculty will likely want to retain the requirement for a petition as a means by which to monitor H1N1, and to retain the academic integrity of the deferral process. It is important to note however that Faculty Councils and/or the responsible Faculty Committees will be asked to waive the requirement for a medical note as part of the petition process.

Specific arrangements may be necessary in the case of practicums and field placements including contingency plans in the event of student absences and/or the cessation of the placement as a result of factors relating to the placement site or supervisor. Follow-up discussions will take place with Education, Nursing, Social Work and any other relevant programs as needed.

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Department of Human Resources and Employee Relations
October 21, 2009

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