On March 12, 2021, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed legislation that directs private and public employers to provide up to 4 hours of leave to receive COVID Vaccinations (up to 4 hours for each administration of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines or up to 4 hours for the Johnson & Johnson). The time away from work will not be charged to the employee’s sick time.  As written, the bill became effective as of March 12, 2021 going forward. It did not cover employees who may have already utilized entitlement (sick time) prior to that signing date. We are currently seeking a legal opinion as to whether we are permitted to credit people back for time taken before the legislation was signed. While we await that legal opinion, any employee who has used sick time to get their vaccination(s) and for those who are taking time away from work to get their vaccination(s) going forward, HR has created a Frontline Central Form: COVID Vaccination Paid Time, that the employee can complete (similar to the 2-hour Sick Leave Form) and submit with the confirmation of appointment from the Department of Health.

• The COVID Vaccination Paid Time form needs to be requested from your Department Secretary. The form will be sent to you through the Frontline system for you to complete. The form needs to be completed through the Frontline System to go through the approval process and your confirmation email for your vaccination appointment needs to be attached.
  
  
• Please Do Not print the form out and submit it to your Department Secretary, it will not be processed.
  
  
• We cannot accept your vaccination card as proof of your appointment. We need the actual confirmation email that states the date, time and location of your appointment.
  
  
• You are approved for Up To 4 hours. This means that if you need up to 4 hours you can use it, not that you will be paid for 4 hours.
  
  
• Your attendance record will reflect sick time until we receive your completed and approved form through Frontline. Your time will then be adjusted to reflect the time you needed to be away for your vaccine appointment.
  
  
• If you feel you are having a reaction to the vaccine and need to take additional time away from work, you will need to use your sick time or personal time.
  
  
  

The vaccines may have potential side effects as the body’s immune system builds up protection against the virus.  Some of these side effects are normal.  Common side effects can be pain and swelling in the arm and possible fever, chills, headache and tiredness throughout the rest of your body.

If you are experiencing symptoms as a result of receiving a vaccine and do not feel well enough to come to work:

• reply “Yes” to the question on experiencing unusual symptoms (1st question) on the Daily Health Check and a Nurse will reach to discuss your symptoms
  
  
• stay out of work if you are unable to do daily activities.  Follow your department’s procedures for absences when sick. Days out due to vaccine side effects will be covered by the employee's sick time, not quarantine days.
  
  
  
  

Various vaccination sites are requiring proof of employment in an educational setting for eligibility to receive the vaccine.  Staff can complete the Vaccine Verification form in Frontline Central under Forms I Can Start.