In early January, HRIS– in partnership with OAP and UWHR– launched a new tool to support medical and religious exemption requests related to the
COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Unlike the previous exemption tool, which was limited to current UW employees, this new tool is designed to also handle requests from final candidates to academic personnel positions. Since hiring managers/recruiters play a critical role in initiating the exemption request process, they should review the content below and follow steps outlined in the COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate Exemption Tool User Guide. It is important to note that the exemption review process takes time, so campus partners should work with academic personnel candidates and appointees to initiate the request as soon as practicable.
New Hires
Final candidates seeking a COVID-19 vaccine exemption are expected to notify the unit as soon as possible and no later than two weeks before their start date.
Currently Employed Academic Personnel
COVID-19 exemptions are both person- and job-specific. If a current academic personnel appointee with an existing COVID-19 vaccine exemption moves to a new position that is subject to the
COVID-19 vaccine verification mandate, they must provide proof of vaccination or request and be approved for a new exemption.
Unpaid Academics Entering into Paid Status
When an unpaid academic—who did not previously meet the definition of
on-site volunteer or on-site contractor—moves into paid status, they become subject to the
COVID-19 vaccine verification mandate and must provide proof of vaccination or request and be approved for an exemption.