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Employee Support & Self-Care FAQ

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Updated 3/7/22

How are newly-hired employees being oriented? (Updated 6/15/21)

The Welcome Center is held virtually each Monday morning. The Welcome Center website has been updated to help new hires understand the live sessions available, actions they need to take, and to provide them with an onboarding checklist.

Is there a waiting period for voluntary disability insurance (VDI)?

Ordinarily, there is a 7-day waiting period for VDI or state disability to begin. In an executive order issued by California Gov. Gavin Newsom, this waiting period is waived for people who are unemployed and/or disabled as a result of COVID-19.

If I were to contract COVID-19 at Stanford, would I be able to file a workers’ compensation claim?

Yes, you can submit a workers’ compensation claim and the decision will be made through the normal workers’ compensation process.

Can I change my health insurance because of COVID-19? (Added 4/29/20)

There are no changes at this time to the policies about when you can change benefits -- you must experience a “qualifying life event” and you have 31 days from the life event to change coverage -- but as a reminder, a spouse or dependent losing health insurance coverage elsewhere is considered a qualifying life event. Note also that under the CARES Act, all testing and potential vaccines (or preventative services) for COVID-19 will be covered at no cost to you, even if you are tested by a “non-network” provider.

I am a temporary or contingent employee and I have fewer hours or no hours scheduled due to COVID-19 related reduction in work. Am I eligible for unemployment? (Added 4/10/20)

You may be eligible for Unemployment Insurance (UI), including enhanced UI benefits that are part of the federal CARES Act. View more information on UI and other resources available for workers. Eligibility for UI benefits is determined by the State of California Employment Development Department. You may file a claim online and find more information about UI at CA EDD website.