Employee Illness in the Workplace

All NIU employees are encouraged to take steps to prevent the spread of illness in their work areas and on campus.

Guidance for employees who feel sick:

• If you feel ill, whether related to COVID-19, influenza, RSV or another illness, you should stay home and seek medical attention, if appropriate.
• Follow your department’s regular call-in procedures and use your accrued sick leave benefits when you report your time away from work in accordance with university policy.
• Consult with your primary care provider about testing for influenza and/or COVID-19 if you are experiencing symptoms.
  • For all illnesses, do not return to campus until your symptoms are improving, you are feeling better, and have been free of fever, vomiting, and diarrhea for at least 24 hours. Your temperature should be measured without the use of fever-reducing medicines like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
  • If you become sick at work, you should promptly separate yourself from others and go home until your fever is gone for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications or your symptoms have improved. Supervisors should be flexible in allowing employees whose work can be performed remotely to do so when they are recovering from illness.
  • If your illness rises to the level of a serious health condition as defined by the FMLA, you should contact Human Resource Services.