Employees
with Serious Illnesses UPPS
No. 04.04.44
01.01 This policy provides guidelines for faculty
and staff employees who have serious illnesses, for supervisors and managers
responsible for these employees, and for dealing with the concerns of
co-workers.
02.01 A serious illness is any medical condition
that may result in significant impairment of mental or bodily function, may be
life-threatening, or may pose a significant health risk to others.
02.02 The university recognizes that employees with
serious illnesses may wish to continue to participate in as many of their
normal activities as their conditions will allow, including work.
02.03 The university also recognizes that continued
employment for an employee with a serious illness may be therapeutically
important in the remission or recovery process, and may prolong that employee's
life. As long as these employees are able to meet the performance standards of
their job, they may continue to work provided they pose no health hazard to
other employees (as determined in Section 02.04). Supervisors and managers will
be sensitive to their conditions and see that, to the extent possible, they are
treated like other university employees.
02.04 Concurrently, the university strives to
provide a safe work environment for students, other employees, and the public.
The director of the Student Health Center, the director of Environmental
Health, Safety & Risk Management and the TSUS associate general counsel
will confer and make recommendations to the appropriate vice president
regarding precautionary actions that should be taken to ensure that an
employee's condition does not present a significant health or safety risk to
others.
03. RESPONSIBILITIES
03.01 Employees are encouraged to report to their
supervisors any serious illnesses that cause disabilities, if they would like
to request workplace accommodations. Employees should refer to UPPS No. 04.04.60, Workplace Accommodation concerning
reasonable accommodations.
03.02 Employees who are faced with a serious injury
or illness should refer to UPPS No. 04.04.30, University Leave Policy concerning
Family Medical Leave and other leave options.
03.03 Human Resources will assist supervisors and
employees regarding insurance, leave, benefits, and other work-related
concerns.
03.04 The director of the Student Health Center will
be a resource to the director of Human Resources and the assistant vice
president and director of Multicultural Student Affairs in conjunction with
members of the Workplace Accommodation Interactive Team in determining the
appropriateness of an employee request for a reasonable accommodation.
04.01 No university employee shall disclose any
information regarding an employee's health condition without that employee's
written consent authorizing the disclosure, except as may be required in
Section 02.04. When dealing with situations involving employees with serious
illnesses, supervisors and managers should remember that an employee's health
condition is confidential, and that they should take precautions to protect
that confidentiality. Upon receiving the employee’s written authorization,
supervisors may consult with the director of Human Resources to discuss:
a. University policy concerning any action that
may need to be taken, and
b. Reasonable accommodations for the employee
with a disability consistent with the needs of the work unit and other
employees.
05. PROCEDURES FOR DEALING WITH CO-WORKERS
05.01 Supervisors and managers should:
a. Be sensitive and
responsive to co-workers' concerns.
b. Ensure that the work of the unit continues
and that the ill employee is not harassed or discriminated against by other
employees because of a disability.
05.02 If an employee becomes aware of a person
having an illness that may be a direct threat to other employees, students, or
the public, the employee should immediately consult with the director of the
Student Health Center.
06. REVIEWERS OF
THIS UPPS
06.01 Reviewers of this UPPS include the following:
Position Date
Director,
Human Resources December
1 E4Y
Director,
Student Health Center December
1 E4Y
TSUS
Associate General Counsel December
1 E4Y
Chair,
Staff Council December
1 E4Y
Chair,
Faculty Senate December
1 E4Y
Director,
Environmental Health, December
1 E4Y
Safety
& Risk Management
Asst.
VP and Director, Multicultural December
1 E4Y
Student
Affairs
Chief
Diversity Officer & Director, December
1 E4Y
Equity
& Access
07. CERTIFICATION STATEMENT
This
UPPS has been approved by the following individuals in their official
capacities and represents Texas State policy and procedure from the date of
this document until superseded.
Director
of Human Resources; senior reviewer of this UPPS
Vice
President for Finance and Support Services
President