FAQs
FAQs For Colleagues And Line Managers
1) I have been diagnosed with COVID-19 - will I receive Sick Leave?
1) I have been diagnosed with COVID-19 - will I receive Sick Leave?If you have been medically diagnosed by a health professional as having Covid-19, you will be entitled to Sick Leave (SL) with full payment of salary. This will take into account any paid sick leave you have already taken from 01st January 2020.
2) I have been advised to self-isolate, how will this be managed?
2) I have been advised to self-isolate, how will this be managed?Self-isolation requires you to stay at home for 14 days and limit your contact with others. If you have been medically advised to self-isolate, this will be managed as sick leave and you will receive an “Order for Home Surveillance” from the District Health Office.
3) Can I choose to self-isolate as I am concerned about catching COVID-19?
3) Can I choose to self-isolate as I am concerned about catching COVID-19?No. Currently, self-isolation is only necessary for those who fall within one of the groups identified by KKM and if you are advised to do so by a medical authority. Kindly refer to MOH website for the updates http://www.moh.gov.my
4) I have been advised to self-isolate but I want to come to work. What happens in this situation?
4) I have been advised to self-isolate but I want to come to work. What happens in this situation?If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19, you are required to remain off work until you are medically fit to return. You have a duty of care for yourself and others under the Health & Safety at Work Act and we do require you to observe this duty.
If you have been advised to self-isolate as you fall within one of the groups identified by KKM, then the University requires you to stay off work for 14 days and this would be managed as sick leave.
5) I have an ongoing health condition and could be at risk of developing severe COVID-19, can I continue to come to work?
5) I have an ongoing health condition and could be at risk of developing severe COVID-19, can I continue to come to work?Yes. you can unless you have been medically advised to self-isolate
6) I am concerned that due to my underlying medical condition I may be at higher risk from COVID-19 virus. What should I do?
6) I am concerned that due to my underlying medical condition I may be at higher risk from COVID-19 virus. What should I do?If you have an underlying health condition such as cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, diabetes or other immunosuppressive conditions, or live with someone and/or are a carer of someone with any of these conditions we would encourage you to work from home. In all such circumstances you need to speak directly with your line manager, in the first instance, to let them know and to arrange any necessary cover. You are also required to inform people services about any such arrangements.
7) I have exhausted my Sick Leave for the year, will the University top this up if I am off as a result of COVID-19?
7) I have exhausted my Sick Leave for the year, will the University top this up if I am off as a result of COVID-19?The university will grant you with hospitalisation leave if your sick leave has been exhausted.
8) I am concerned about catching COVID-19 and want to work from home, can I do this?
8) I am concerned about catching COVID-19 and want to work from home, can I do this?Work from home is advised for staff with underlying medical conditions (See question 6). You need to be present at work unless you have been advised to self-isolate. Please discuss any concerns with your line manager.
9) My line manager has asked me to work from home - what provision has been put in place for me to do this?
9) My line manager has asked me to work from home - what provision has been put in place for me to do this?Information relating to remote working is available on the NUIT webpages.
10) I am pregnant and am concerned about catching COVID-19, what can I do?
10) I am pregnant and am concerned about catching COVID-19, what can I do?If you do not wish to attend work but you do not fall within the KKM quarantine, your line manager will talk to you about how we can support you. It might be possible to agree a period working from home or using your annual leave entitlement or taking unpaid time off. If you feel a referral to Occupational Health for advice would support you, please discuss this with your line manager. We understand this is a concerning time for all and we will continue to review the advice given by KKM to ensure we act quickly and fairly.
12) Will sickness absence due to COVID-19 count towards managing attendance?
12) Will sickness absence due to COVID-19 count towards managing attendance?Any sickness absence where there has been a confirmed diagnosis for COVID-19; or where you have been medically advised to self-isolate, will not count towards the attendance.
13) I need time off to look after someone else who has been diagnosed with COVID-19?
13) I need time off to look after someone else who has been diagnosed with COVID-19?In these circumstances, it is likely that you will also be medically advised to self-isolate for 14 days which will be managed as hospitalisation leave.
However, if you are not feeling unwell and are able to work, you could work from home with agreement from your line manager.
14) If I need time off to care for dependents, how will this be managed?
14) If I need time off to care for dependents, how will this be managed?The University will support 2 days paid emergency leave and 2 days paid dependency leave. The University will keep the situation under review so please speak to your line manager if you need any further time off and alternative arrangements will be considered.
15) I have booked a holiday that has been cancelled by the tour operator due to COVID-19, if I move my holiday to another time in the year, am I guara
15) I have booked a holiday that has been cancelled by the tour operator due to COVID-19, if I move my holiday to another time in the year, am I guaraWe will do our best to honour your leave application. Please discuss this with your line manager as soon as possible to see how we can consider and support you.
16) What do I do if I become unwell whilst at work?
16) What do I do if I become unwell whilst at work?If you feel unwell and have recently come back from an area affected by COVID-19, as per Malaysian Government guidance, if you have symptoms please contact your nearest District Health Office ( in this case it would be KK Gelang Patah) or the State CPRC online or contact Virtual Health Advisory. https://www.doctoroncall.com.my/coronavirus?lang=en. You should also immediately report to the Health and Safety section. You should also:
- Move to at least 2 metres away from other people
- Go to a room or area behind a closed door, such as an office
- Avoid touching anything
- Cough or sneeze into a tissue and bin it
- Use a separate bathroom from others
17) What happens if a colleague is diagnosed with COVID-19?
17) What happens if a colleague is diagnosed with COVID-19?If a colleague with COVID-19 comes into work, the KKM will contact the University to discuss the case, identify who has been in contact with the affected individual, carry out a risk assessment and advise on any actions or precautions to take. The University will not necessarily have to close.
19) If the University needs to change the way we work as a result of COVID-19 will I be paid?
19) If the University needs to change the way we work as a result of COVID-19 will I be paid?Yes all employees contracted to work will be paid. However, we require you to be flexible consider how you can continue to work, whether that be working from home or elsewhere or carrying out tasks in a different way. Your line manager will help you to explore what those options are. We expect that some staff in critical roles may still need to attend work and we are currently working on our Business Continuity Plans to ensure we keep our students and colleagues safe. Executive Board and Senior Managers will keep in touch and update colleagues as matters progress over the coming days.
20) My planned holiday has been cancelled due to COVID-19, can I carry over my annual leave into the next holiday year so I can re-book at a later dat
20) My planned holiday has been cancelled due to COVID-19, can I carry over my annual leave into the next holiday year so I can re-book at a later datYou can currently carry over 5 days annual leave from one holiday year to another to be taken by 31st December. Due to this exceptional situation, the People Services Manager can use their discretion to increase the number of days carried over and the time in which to use it whilst considering the impact this will have on your business/teaching area and team