6.30.22 – New COVID-19 Absence Procedures

Thursday, June 30, 2022

New COVID-19 Absence Procedures

APFA has reached an agreement with American on a procedure to mitigate attendance infractions for Flight Attendants who test positive for COVID-19. The changes will go into effect on July 5, 2022, and is retroactively applied.

If you have had a positive COVID-19 absence with a “proctored test” between April 4, 2022, and July 4, 2022, attendance points will be mitigated for up to five (5) days from the date of your positive test or the onset date of your symptoms – whichever is earlier. Proctored tests include those administered in pharmacies, local testing centers, health care provider offices or tests proctored virtually. Self-tests are not eligible.

If you received an attendance point, you may recode the absence through Comply365 on your iPhone EFB:

• Open the Comply365 app.
• Enter your company ID and password.
• Select the “My Forms” icon.
• Select the appropriate AAFA > FA Admin Requests>COVID-19 Sick Call Recode form and fill out the form.
• Click Submit at the top right.

You may also recode the attendance point on your personal device:

• Log in to the Comply365 website: aa.comply365.net
• Click on My Forms on the homepage.
• Select AAFA > FA Admin Requests > COVID-19 Sick Call Recode. 
• Select and fill out the appropriate form.
• Click Submit at the bottom right.

If you have questions regarding recode requests, please reach out to Flight Service Administration at 800-VIP-CREW, #6,2. You will receive acknowledgment at the email you provide  when completing the form.

If you have a positive COVID-19 “proctored test” from today moving forward, you will not incur attendance points for COVID-19 sick-related absences for up to five (5) days from the date of your positive test or the onset date of your symptoms – whichever is earlier. You must provide a request for recode within seven (7) days of the positive test, although exceptions to this seven day requirement will be considered.

Please use Absence Tracker to open a medical leave of absence if you need more time off past the initial recode. Continue to call in sick to Crew Scheduling until your medical leave of absence is approved or once you are able to return to work.

If you are based in a state that recognizes COVID leave, such as CA or NY, your state entitlements may be better.

In Solidarity,

Cathy Sharp
APFA National Health Chair
[email protected]