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Leave Available for Employees Seeking Flu and COVID Vaccines, Boosters

By Maryland Today Staff

The leave procedures described in the following email are no longer in effect.

Rythee Lambert-Jones, assistant vice president and chief human resources officer, sent the following email to employees today:

Protecting the health and safety of our campus community is a top priority. Since March 1, 2021, the university has provided employees with administrative leave to receive COVID-19 vaccines. Release time or administrative leave is now available for employees to get COVID-19 vaccines, additional doses and boosters, and the seasonal flu vaccine*.

As University Health Center Director Dr. Spyridon Marinopoulos has said, although the vaccination rate on our campus remains extremely high, everyone ages 18 and over should get a COVID-19 booster shot. In addition, he has reminded our community that the flu shot is the best way to protect yourself from getting the flu.

*Due to predictions that the 2021-22 flu season may be a particularly difficult one, coupled with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the university is offering release time or administrative leave for flu shots throughout this flu season only.

Release Time for On-campus Vaccines

  • Exempt regular and Contingent II staff and faculty may record up to a total of two hours of release time for on-campus appointments to get COVID-19 and flu vaccines.
  • To ensure minimal disruption to work, provide your supervisor with as much advance notice as possible of your appointment date and time.
  • Release time may be taken on two separate days.
  • For non-exempt staff, Contingent 1 staff and hourly faculty, the time in and out should be recorded, and you should indicate the reason for the release time in the notes section on the timesheet.
  • This release time is available for use effective immediately. Previous time records will not be adjusted.


Administrative Leave for Off-campus Vaccines

  • Regular and Contingent II staff and faculty may record up to a total of two hours of administrative leave (Admin Lv - COVID VAX) for appointments to get the COVID-19 booster shot and/or flu shot at an off-campus location.
  • Administrative leave may be used on two separate days.
  • Record no more than two hours of administrative leave on the timesheet as "Admin Lv-COVID VAX."
  • To ensure minimal disruption to work, provide your supervisor with as much advance notice as possible of your appointment date and time.
  • This administrative leave is available for use immediately. Time records will not be adjusted retroactively.


General Information for On- or Off-campus Vaccine Appointments

  • You should return to work once you have received the vaccine dose, unless your work shift is over or you are on approved leave following your appointment.
  • If you have an adverse reaction following vaccination, advise your supervisor and use accrued sick leave in accordance with established policies.


As always, please continue to follow the health and safety guidance listed on the 4 Maryland website. If you have questions, please contact the UHR Support Center at uhrconnect@umd.edu.

Sincerely,

Rythee Lambert-Jones
Assistant Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer
She/Her/Hers

Maryland Today is produced by the Office of Marketing and Communications for the University of Maryland community on weekdays during the academic year, except for university holidays.