Does the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) entitle an employee to take leave to avoid contracting COVID-19?

No. The FMLA entitled employees to job-protected leave when they have a serious health condition or when they need leave to care for covered family members who have a serious health condition. Leave for the purpose of avoiding exposure to the COVID-19 is not protected under the FMLA.

Please note: Telecommuting/remote work is encouraged for faculty and staff wherever possible. We recognize that some jobs require a campus presence and for other jobs, at least some time must be spent on campus.  Unit leaders will decide which jobs can be performed remotely and which require presence on campus – this is not an individual decision, but we are permitting telework/remote work wherever possible.