HR Information
Human Resources answers your frequently asked questions and addresses new policies and guidelines implemented in response to COVID-19.
Return-to-Work Guidance for Staff
Revised as of 12/28/2021
Employees who test positive for COVID-19 or have COVID-19 symptoms:
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Should not come to work, and should leave work if already there
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Must notify their supervisor and register with Employee Health Services (EHS) via REDCap (EHS will direct the employee where to go for testing, if necessary)
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Should remain out of work for five calendar days from symptom onset or from a positive test, whichever date is earlier (these employees can work from home if authorized to do so and if their symptoms permit)
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Are expected to return to work after five days with clearance from EHS or a designee; a negative test result is not required to return
Employees who have been exposed to COVID-19 but are asymptomatic:
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Should continue to work onsite
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Should not register in REDCap
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Should be tested no sooner than two days after exposure and again five days after exposure
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May be tested at any Mount Sinai or non-Mount Sinai site that is convenient, or by an at-home rapid test; however, if you test positive using an at-home rapid test, please get a confirmatory PCR test and isolate while you await those results.
If you have any questions about this policy, please contact your local EHS office.
Work From Home Guidance
Mount Sinai’s temporary remote work policy explained along with reference guide to better support staff accessing email, work stations and programs remotely.
- Work From Home Guidance (PDF)
- Remote Access Reference Guide (PDF)
PTO Guidance
Revised as of 12/1/21
Employee Time Off—Temporary Policy for Calendar Year 2022
Due to the intense work demands and challenges faced during COVID-19, many employees have been unable to use their 2021 vacation and free days/PTO allocation. Therefore, faculty and non-bargaining unit (NBU) staff can carry over some time off that was accrued, but not used, during the 2021 calendar year into 2022 as follows.
Full-time Faculty Members Employed for All of Calendar 2021
- Carry over up to 10 days of earned but unused vacation and/or free days into 2022.
- Faculty will have until Saturday, December 31, 2022, to use the carried-over days, in addition to their 2022 vacation/free day allocation.
- There will be no carryover into 2023, nor will remaining earned but unused days be paid out.
Full-time NBU Staff Employed for All of Calendar 2021
- Carry over up to 10 days of earned but unused paid time off (PTO) into their 2022 overdraft account.
- NBU staff will have until December 31, 2022, to use the overdraft (carried-over days), in addition to their 2022 PTO allocation. Please note that all 2022 PTO allocations must first be used before using overdraft days.
- For calendar year 2023, the PTO/overdraft carryover will revert back to the standard five-day maximum consistent with the Health System’s PTO Policy, and any remaining unused days will not be paid out.
NOTE: Faculty and NBU staff are NOT eligible to be paid out for any of the days carried over from 2021 to 2022 if/when they resign or otherwise separate from the Health System.
For Union Employees
- Vacation/PTO carryover will be governed by the respective union contracts.
Questions about This Temporary 2022 Policy?
- Refer to this December 1, 2021 Broadcast for contact information.
Travel Policy
Printable version of our Travel Policy
Revised 4/5/22
DOMESTIC TRAVEL
New York State Department of Health guidance states that all asymptomatic health care workers may return to work after domestic travel without quarantine or testing.
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
The New York State Department of Health guidance states that all vaccinated health care workers and those infected with COVID-19 in the last 90 days may return to work after international travel without quarantine or testing. Partially vaccinated and unvaccinated employees must comply with one of the two options below in order to return to work onsite after international travel:
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Quarantine and self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for 10 days.
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Staff who have supervisor approval to work remotely may do so during their quarantine and will not need to take paid time off.
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Those who cannot work remotely will be required to use PTO or other available leave time for quarantine, unless the travel was work-related.
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Staff must continue daily symptom monitoring through Day 14
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Quarantine for 7 days and obtain SARS CoV-2 PCR Test on Days 3-5 after return from travel
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Take a PCR test on Day 3-5 following return from travel. Staff may not report for onsite work until 7 days after return even with a negative test.
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Staff who have supervisor approval to work remotely may do so during their quarantine and will not need to take paid time off.
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Those who cannot work remotely will be required to use PTO or other available leave time for quarantine, unless the travel was work-related.
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Staff must continue daily symptom monitoring through Day 14
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All results (negative & positive) must be sent to COVID_travel@mountsinai.org. For negative results, staff will receive an email that must be shared with supervisors upon return to work. For positive results, EHS will contact the employee to discuss additional quarantine requirements.
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For international travel, employees should also note:
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All employees planning international travel must notify their manager/supervisor of their travel plans, including destination and total number of days needed, including time for testing or quarantine.
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All employees who are on visas must consult with International Personnel prior to departing the United States.
WORK-RELATED INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
Work-related international travel continues to be strongly discouraged, however it is acknowledged that in some cases there may be compelling, professional reasons for travel. Department Chairs and Institute Directors can approve such travel after considering factors such as vaccination status, rate of vaccination/percent of positive tests in the community being visited, country entry/exit requirements, and the activities the traveler will be engaged in. Most countries require a minimum of 10 days of isolation for anyone testing positive for COVID-19 while some may require two negative tests (can take up to 90 days) before infected people are allowed to leave the country. With this in mind, the traveler will ultimately decide whether he/she chooses to assume the risks associated with international travel at this time. If the traveler tests positive while abroad, he/she will be required to cover all expenses that result from not returning from abroad as initially scheduled. The Office of Global Operations is available to assist in this assessment and can provide travel safety considerations and advice prior to travel.
If work-related international travel is approved, the traveler must register each trip with International SOS, Mount Sinai's emergency medical and security assistance provider. You can contact International SOS (+1 215-942-8226) at any time for travel safety advice or in the event of an emergency using Mount Sinai's membership number (11BYSG000018). Only work-related international travel must be registered with International SOS, NOT personal travel.
Employees at Higher Risk
We have created a safe environment for our healthcare workers to care for patients with COVID-19. Caring for patients with COVID-19 is safe with recommended PPE and appropriate donning and doffing.
Any employee who has concerns that they may be at higher risk for complications from COVID-19 (e.g. pregnancy, immunosuppression) should discuss the availability of a temporary modified assignment with their manager.
If managers have questions on the appropriate modifications for high-risk staff, they should contact EHS at one of the following numbers:
Sinai Kids
Imagine Early Learning Center
This daycare center is opening its doors for children ages 3 months to 5 years old. If you are interested in being considered for a spot, please complete the enrollment packet. The commitment will be for one week at a time. They will be accepting on an as-needed basis and priority is based on health system needs. For questions please contact Caryn Tiger or Shema Patel.
Wonderschool
Helps match parents in need of childcare with nearby quality in-home programs. Please click here for more information: www.wonderschool.com.
Calm through Tutoring for Your Children
To help Mount Sinai parents, in partnership with the Mount Sinai Parenting Center, the Child Behavioral Health and Science Center, and a team of trained Goldman Sachs volunteer tutors, Mount Sinai Calm is offering the following services to your school children ages 5 to 17 for one hour per week via Zoom:
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Homework help
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Extracurricular enrichment
Please email 4calm@mountsinai.org to learn more.