Reporting to Work
Please see the FAQ below for general information for state employees about the potential Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
General Policy: The Governor's Safer at Home order effective March 25, 2020, directs that all non-essential state employees shall work from home. State facilities will be limited to those identified by their supervisors or leadership as requiring access.
2. Will I know if someone at work has COVID-19?
If an employee is confirmed to have COVID-19, agencies will inform fellow employees of their possible exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace but maintain confidentiality as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Employees exposed to a co-worker with confirmed COVID-19 should refer to CDC guidance for
how to conduct a risk assessment of their potential exposure.
4. May I use vacation leave, sick leave, or any other type of leave in order to avoid working during a pandemic?
(Updated 7/13/2020)
Employees may request leave time and it will be reviewed, and approved or denied, in accordance with the leave provisions of their contract or state administrative code. In general, our objective is to ensure the health and safety of our state employees while continuing the State's critical services. At this time, our goal is to encourage employees to report to work. However, based on the virulence of the virus and depending on recommendations from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, discretionary leaves (i.e., non-mandatory leaves) may be considered.
While an employee may use any available leave balance when ill, sick leave is generally only available for an employee’s illness or that of their immediate family. However, portions of s. ER 18.03(4)(c), Wis. Adm. Code, which governs sick leave, have been modified through an emergency administrative rule to ensure sick leave can be used to provide care for family members, including specifically, child care due to school closures.
This means that sick leave can now be used to care for any member of an employee’s immediate family who requires their care, regardless of whether sick or not. Sick leave can now also be used to provide any “temporary care . . . for a limited period of time to permit the employee to make other arrangements” and no longer requires prior approval to use sick leave longer than 5 working days for care of family members. This change ends on October 8, 2020 when the emergency rule expires.
5. Who is included in the definition of “immediate family”?
"Immediate family" means:
- Parents, step-parents, grandparents, foster parents, children, step-children, grandchildren, foster children, brothers and their spouses, sisters and their spouses, of the employee or spouse;
- The spouse;
- Aunts and uncles, sons-in-law or daughters-in-law of the employee or spouse; and
- Other relatives of the employee or spouse providing they reside in the same household of the employee.
6. If my job requires me to work with the public, should I continue to come to work?
Yes, unless directed not to come to work. The State will make efforts to provide the appropriate protective measures to employees assigned to work in a situation that would put them at greater risk of exposure than the typical interactions encountered in conducting usual life activities. These measures include increased hygiene measures, personal protective equipment, social distancing measures, or physical barriers.
The COVID-19 virus, like Influenza, would most likely not be compensable under Wisconsin Workers Compensation, as it would be very difficult to determine where and when an employee was exposed to the influenza virus.
8. What if I am assigned to perform work that isn't normally part of my position, either in my own agency or somewhere else? Can I refuse the assignment?
In times of emergency, we all need to remain flexible to get the work done. It is likely that employees may be asked to do work outside their normal duties. As the effects of a pandemic are realized in Wisconsin, state employees should anticipate that they may be required to assist in performing work for absent or ill co-workers or ensure that the State is able to provide essential services.
No, employees must work as assigned unless granted leave. As the effects of a pandemic are realized in Wisconsin, state employees should anticipate that they may be required to assist in performing work for absent or ill co-workers to ensure that the State is able to provide essential services. The State will make an effort to provide the appropriate protective measures to employees assigned to work in a situation that would put them at greater risk of exposure than the typical interactions encountered in conducting usual life activities. These measures include increased hygiene measures, personal protective equipment, social distancing measures, or physical barriers.
10. What is social distancing? Will the State implement social distancing in the workplace? (Updated 7/13/2020)
Social distancing measures are measures intended to reduce the spread of a pandemic respiratory virus by reducing direct contact between individuals. Social distancing measures may include minimization of face-to-face meetings, staggered work hours and days, temporary work from home arrangements, spacing of work areas, physical barriers between individuals, or other similar practices. Agencies are required to observe social distancing requirements in their respective agencies/buildings, to the greatest extent possible.
11. What should I do if I believe I may have the COVID-19 virus?
(Updated 7/13/2020)
Minimizing the spread of the virus is critical. Employees who are ill should contact their supervisor to report their illness. Employees should not report to work if they believe they are ill. Use of sick or other paid or unpaid leave will be handled pursuant to existing policies, state administrative code, and applicable collective bargaining agreements. Employees should also contact their health provider or local health department. See also
FAQs on Use of Sick Leave and Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Leave regarding use of sick leave.
12. What if I have been directly exposed to the COVID-19 virus but do not have symptoms?
(Updated 4/5/2020)
Depending on the circumstances presented by the particular respiratory virus, employees who have been directly exposed to the virus through actions such as caring for an ill family member may choose to remain at home for a period to ensure they do not carry the virus into the workplace. Documentation of exposure may be required and employees choosing to remain home will be required to use available leave. Employees should also contact their health provider or local health department.
Note: Employees who are sick with COVID-19 or suspect they are infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, will self-quarantine for 14 days and may not return to work until the quarantine has concluded and the employee is no longer considered infectious. In addition, employees should follow the steps identified by the CDC to help prevent the disease from spreading to people in your home and community.
13. What if I have been exposed to an individual who has been quarantined? (Updated 4/5/2020)
Individuals who have been quarantined are not necessarily ill; they have had contact with an infected person and must remain at home until it is clear whether they become ill or not. Thus, exposure to a quarantined person may not mean any exposure at all to the virus. Employees who have been directly exposed to the virus through actions such as caring for a family member who was isolated due to illness at that time (or was subsequently isolated) may choose to remain at home for a period to ensure they do not carry the virus into the workplace. Documentation of exposure may be required and employees choosing to remain home will be required to use available leave.
Note: Employees who are sick with COVID-19 or suspect they are infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, will self-quarantine for 14 days and may not return to work until the quarantine has concluded and the employee is no longer considered infectious. In addition, employees should follow the steps identified by the CDC to help prevent the disease from spreading to people in your home and community.
14. If I have traveled to a location where there are confirmed cases of COVID-19, may I return to work immediately?
(Updated 7/13/2020)
Employees who are not exhibiting flu-like symptoms, may return to work. Please be aware that agency policies may vary depending on the nature of your job. However, if you traveled to or from a level 3 country you may need to self-monitor or to self-quarantine.
For more detail on international and domestic travel, please refer to the
General Information for Employees FAQ page.
15. Can my Employer send me home if I have been exposed to the COVID-19 virus but choose to work? (Updated 4/5/2020)
Employees will not normally be sent home unless exhibiting significant flu-like symptoms. Effective April 1, 2020, employees who are sent home will no longer be required to use available leave balances if the employee has available leave in accordance with the federal Emergency Paid Sick Leave program. Employees who have been exposed to COVID-19 will remain at home until the 14 days for self-monitoring have passed and the employee is symptom free.
Refer to Section E fro more information about using the federal Emergency Paid Sick Leave and Expanded Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provisions created under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).
16. What if I believe a co-worker has the COVID-19 virus or has been exposed to it?
Employee concerns should be discussed with their supervisor or someone in Human Resources. Despite these concerns, employees will be expected to report to work as directed.
17. Will the State develop policies and procedures for what state agencies should do if someone becomes ill at work? (Updated 4/5/2020)
Yes, employees may be sent home using appropriate protocols recommended by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Employees who are sent home will be required to use available leave balances.
18. What if I am in a group considered to be a "high risk" (i.e., I have a chronic health condition which makes me more susceptible to the COVID-19 virus) and for which authorities are recommending staying at home?
Employees who provide a detailed letter from their medical practitioner may use personal paid or unpaid leave. Sick leave is available only as currently provided in state administrative code or collective bargaining agreements, which typically limit use to periods of actual sickness. See the 4th question on this page regarding leave requests.
19. What direction is available for student interns?
(Added 3/13/2020)
Students at certain universities are being asked to take essential belongings, academic materials, laptops and medications with them for Spring Break and not return to residence halls following Spring Break. We hope that students will return to their permanent residence and complete their coursework remotely.
The State of Wisconsin will release student interns who are able to return to their permanent residence from their government internship obligations. Students who are remaining in local communities may continue working their internship and should follow the guidance provided to all employees.
20. What is the current status of employee travel for state business?
(Updated 3/18/2020)
Until further notice,
travel on all state business regardless of location will be limited to essential operational needs where no reasonable alternative is available. Previously approved travel will be re-submitted for evaluation to determine whether the planned travel should proceed.
21. What is the current direction related to social distancing or meetings?
(Updated 7/13/2020)
As noted in the question above on what is social distancing, agencies will observe social distancing requirements to the greatest extent possible based on operational needs. Government bodies should continue to follow the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s
Office of Open Government guidance regarding holding government meetings, and should consult directly with that office regarding specific open meetings questions
22. Can I wear a cloth face covering (mask) to work? (New 7/13/2020)
Employees of DOC, DHS, and DVA should follow the specific direction given by the agency and may be required to wear other masks, or personal protective equipment, if available. Effective July 13, 2020, all employees are required to wear a face mask while in state facilities. Refer to the Face Mask FAQs for additional information.