May 21, 2020
To all Staff:
The purpose of this email is to provide updates on the Paid Administrative Leave and extra compensation provisions for Mandatory Onsite employees associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. On May 9, North Carolina moved into Phase 1 of the Governor’s Executive Order, and the UNC System Office issued updated guidance for campuses regarding COVID-19 that the teleworking and paid leave provisions for permanent employees would continue beyond May 8. The UNC System Office also continued to grant campuses flexibility regarding temporary employees based on the institution’s unique needs and budget situation. With Phase 2 of the Governor’s reopening plan beginning on Friday, May 22, we anticipate the UNC System Office will provide additional guidance soon.
Updates for Staff in Permanent Positions:
Unless you have been directly notified by your supervisor to return to work on campus, teleworking and Paid Administrative Leave provisions should continue as they have been, except for the following changes:
- Beginning Saturday, May 9, mandatory onsite employees will no longer be eligible for the extra ½ hour of extra compensation for hours worked onsite. Mandatory employees who worked onsite from May 1 through May 8 will be compensated in the form of ½ hour of compensatory time for each hour worked onsite during that time. Mandatory onsite employees should continue to record these hours on their leave reports for tracking purposes.
- The new Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) Policy was implemented on May 1 at UNC Asheville.
- Employees using or looking to use COVID-19 Paid Administrative Leave due to illness/symptoms related either to the coronavirus or for childcare needs due to COVID-19 since May 1 must now complete the Request for FFCRA Leave Form so eligibility for benefits under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) can be evaluated. The electronic form will be submitted to HR and reviewed to determine eligibility.
Updates for Temporary Employees:
The following changes are in effect for temporary employees:
- Paid Administrative Leave is no longer available for temporary employees after May 8.
- Beginning Saturday, May 9, mandatory onsite employees will be paid their normal wage rate for all hours worked. The extra compensation provision will no longer be available.
- Temporary employees may be eligible to apply for paid leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) if they are unable to work due to either illness/symptoms related to the coronavirus or for childcare needs due to COVID-19. To apply, employees should complete the Request for FFCRA Leave Form so eligibility for benefits under the FFCRA can be evaluated. The electronic form will be submitted to HR and reviewed to determine eligibility.
If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact hr@unca.edu.
Office of Human Resources