June 29, 2020
Update on Paid Administrative Leave for July
The UNC System Office recently issued guidance on the work and leave provisions effective July 1 until revised or rescinded. The July 1 guidance is very similar to the June provisions, with one important change:
Following the guidelines established by OSHR, the amount of COVID-19 Paid Administrative Leave employees may use will be reduced to 1/3 (down from 2/3) of an employee’s pay once FFCRA benefits are exhausted. Employees may use any accrued personal leave to make up the difference. This 1/3 pay is provided for absences due to:
- ongoing child care needs (after Expanded Family & Medical Leave is exhausted),
- ongoing elder care needs, and
- absences of employees who cannot telework.
If an employee has exhausted their leave, they may use up to 80 hours of pandemic makeup leave (i.e., leave that must be made up within 12 months) to make up the difference.
Employees currently working remotely should continue to do so until instructed by their supervisor to return to campus. Currently, employees instructed to return to work on campus must be designated by their supervisor as pandemic mandatory onsite employees. The work and leave provisions will be reviewed and updated as necessary by OSHR and the System Office to respond to further developments under the Governor’s three-phase return program.
Planning for Fall Semester – Welcome Back Sessions
Many of the employees in Campus Operations and Housing have already begun to work on campus, preparing for the arrival of students, faculty and staff as we resume onsite operations for the fall semester. We know employees have a lot of questions about changes in the workplace and safety measures that will be in place. We encourage you to read UNC Asheville’s Fall 2020 Return to Campus Plan, and to also review the Coronavirus FAQs.
Human Resources is partnering with Emergency Management and Communication and Marketing to provide key information to employees as they return. Communication and Marketing has developed a great website as a resource for employees and students. Town Hall style meetings are planned for employees as follows:
- Supervisor Updates – two identical sessions will be offered on Thursday, July 2 at 12 noon, and Tuesday, July 7 at 9 a.m. An invitation will be sent to supervisors via email.
- Welcome Back UNC Asheville Employees – learn key information you need to know about expectations for working this fall, safety measures in the workplace, and what you can do to protect yourself and the community. Please watch for an invitation via email for a session on July 14.
Please plan to join us for these meetings.
Requests for Accommodations/Considerations
Employees returning to on-campus work will need to follow all safety precautions. In addition, any approved return-to-work plan will include special consideration for employees with high risk factors as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If you are contacted by your supervisor to return to work on campus and you or a household member have a high risk condition, or if you have a safety concern with returning to work, or may need an accommodation, you may complete the Consideration Request Form to request a special consideration or accommodation.
Remote Work Agreements for Staff
As departments finalize plans to provide full services this fall while also meeting requirements for safety and social distancing measures, some staff may be asked to work a staggered or flexible work schedule or to work remotely. If your supervisor decides your position would be a good fit to continue working remotely on a part-time or full-time basis, you can complete a Remote Work Agreement. Please note that you will be prompted to login using your OnePort credentials to access the form.
Thank you again for your hard work and your patience as we work together to return to campus and keep one another safe. We will continue to keep you updated as we receive updated information from the State and the UNC System. Please contact hr@unca.edu with any specific questions.