H1N1 - REMINDER TO CONCORDIA FACULTY AND STAFF MEMBERS ABOUT UNIVERSITY PROCEDURES
(Nov. 2009)

As the number of H1N1 cases rises in the general public, the university would like to remind you of some basic university procedures:

Report your absence and stay at home if you are sick:

• It is important to always report your absence, whatever the reason, to your immediate supervisor, manager or departmental chair.
• Faculty or staff suffering influenza-like illness (a fever of 38°C or 100.4°F or more, accompanied by one or several of the following: cough, headache, fatigue or weakness, body or muscle aches, sore throat, chills) should stay at home.
• Employees who come to work with influenza-like illness will be asked to leave immediately.
• Do NOT return to work until fever-free (without fever-reducing medication) for 24 hours.

Medical notes:

• So as not to overburden the health care system public health officials have requested the public to only seek medical assistance in the case of an emergency (see chart). Therefore medical notes for faculty and staff members will not be required for influenza-like illness until further notice.

Vaccinations

• Concordia Health Services is NOT giving H1N1 vaccinations but continues to provide regular service to the Concordia community.
• Updated vaccination information is available at the Quebec pandemic website
• Quebec health authorities strongly encourage everyone to get vaccinated, both for your own protection and to help limit the spread of H1N1. Please respect the public vaccination schedule.
• Concordia will be granting employees time off for personal vaccinations. For more on Concordia’s guidelines on granting time off for vaccinations go to: www.concordia.ca/H1N1.

Concordia Health Services

• Please do NOT go to Concordia Health Services for H1N1 medical notes or for H1N1 vaccinations.
• If Concordia Health Services is your primary health provider, you may consult their services if you are experiencing difficulties. See the chart to determine when you should consult a health care professional.

Guidelines for dealing with students

• Faculty members should advise students to stay at home if they have influenza-like illness.
• Students who come to class with influenza-like illness should be asked to leave immediately. Contact Security at 3717 if they need assistance.
• Students with the flu should NOT return to class until fever–free (without fever-reducing medication) for 24 hours.
• Instead of requesting a medical note, students should be asked to provide a written explanation, preferably by e-mail, to their professor. The student’s absenteeism statement should be treated as a regular medical note and kept in their student file.
• For details about dealing with missed assignments, evaluations or final exams due to influenza-like illness, please consult the FAQ below.

The university is monitoring the H1N1 pandemic closely and will keep the Concordia community informed. Consult the university home page regularly for any updates.

 

FAQ

What do I do if a student does not alert me that they are sick with influenza-like illness but later asks for extra time to complete assignments?

Faculty members are asked to use their discretion and to reach some form of accommodation with their students. False statements of illness are considered an offense under the Academic Code of Conduct

What do I do if a student misses a test or evaluative exercise due to H1N1?

Students have been instructed to consult with their professor(s) if they are sick. Instructors have been asked to be flexible under these exceptional circumstances. Students have been told to refer to the course outline and the university undergraduate calendar (Section 16.3) which describes evaluation and grading options. For graduate courses, they must consult with the Graduate Programme Director.

What do I do if a student misses a final exam due to H1N1?

If influenza-like illness prevents students from writing final exams, they must communicate with their professor(s). They should consult the Examinations Office website and submit the request form for a deferral (DEF) notation before the appropriate deadline. If they were confined to their home and not able to visit a doctor to obtain a medical note, they should attach a personal letter with their request form indicating the dates you that they were ill with the H1N1 flu. Their application will be processed based on the letter.

What do I do with a student who becomes sick in my class?

Students suffering from influenza-like symptoms (a fever of 38C or 100.4F or more, accompanied by one or several of the following: cough, headache, fatigue or weakness, body or muscle aches, sore throat, chills) should go home immediately. They should consult the Consult the Decision Chart at: www.concordia.ca/H1N1 to help decide what action to take. If the student needs assistance, call Security at: 3717.

Where can I get the H1N1 vaccination?

Consult the Quebec pandemic website

What do I do if I have to stay home and look after children, spouse or elderly parents?

You should consult your collective agreement and university leave policy and discuss these options with your departmental chair.

What if I am sick and feel that I need a doctor? Should I contact Concordia Health Services?

Consult the Decision Chart to help you decide on what action to take. If your symptoms correspond to the chart’s directive to seek out a health professional and Concordia Health Services is your primary health provider, please contact them for help. Concordia Health Services does not provide H1N1 vaccinations or medical notes for H1N1.

Can I stay home if there are cases of H1N1 in my workplace and I fear contamination that may be spread to vulnerable people in my family?

Influenza-like illness can be contracted anywhere. Faculty members are expected to come to work unless advised otherwise by their department or the university. If you feel that you must take care of family members, please consult your collective agreement and university leave policy and discuss these options with your departmental chair.

Is wearing a mask effective to prevent H1N1?

At present, Canadian government authorities are not advising the population at large to wear masks to protect against influenza (H1N1). This measure has not yet been proven to be effective in avoiding influenza transmission. People often wear masks improperly or contaminate them when donning or removing them, actually increasing the risks of contamination. Only people who are ill should wear masks when they are with others to avoid infecting them.

What is the most effective way to prevent H1N1 infection?

Please see information at www.concordia.ca/H1N1 and the information links provided.