Due to the current public health environment and the increase in COVID-19 absences over the past two months, the decision has been made to activate a University-provided COVID-19 paid sick and family leave benefit. These benefits are effective immediately and until further notice.Regular, temporary and student employees may take emergency paid leave benefits if unable to work, including unable to telework, due to eligible leave situations. A complete description of these paid leave benefits and eligible leave situations can be found at semo.edu/hr. In addition, this paid leave benefit will apply retroactively to any regular, benefit-eligible employee who has taken qualifying COVID-19 related leave between August 1, 2021, and the date of this notice. These employees will be contacted individually by Human Resources to make necessary payroll and leave time adjustments.Time away from work to be vaccinated does not have to be reported, but should be arranged in advance with ones supervisor. The University continues to offer vaccination clinic opportunities at convenient, on-campus locations. The schedule for campus vaccination clinic opportunities is available on the University's COVID-19 Information page.Questions should be directed to Human Resources at 651-2206.