Workplace

In order to lessen campus density, we will seek to reduce the number of staff members on campus at any given time. To achieve this, managers will be asked to determine which jobs under their supervision can only be done on the ground guided by these principles:

• Those tasks that can effectively be done remotely may be permitted to continue to be done remotely with manager approval.
• Those tasks that can only be fully and effectively done on campus will require in-person activity. (Staff may be rotated or be spread out over shifts.)

Those members of the University community in a high-risk category, with household/family members in a high-risk category, or who have other personal circumstances may request an accommodation to continue to, or work remotely.

Employees may also take an emergency leave if it they or a minor dependent child are under a mandatory or precautionary order of quarantine or isolation. Learn more about Temporary Emergency Leave.

For faculty, the Office of the Provost will develop policies that may help lower the density of faculty present on campus, including:

• Working with the Faculty Senate, Office of Human Resources Management, and Office of Legal Counsel to develop a policy for a flexible work year including spring-summer and summer-fall teaching.
• Developing a draft policy for the flexible classroom including transitioning entire classes or individuals within a class between in-person and online based on verified quarantine/social distancing/health needs.
• Exploring ways with the University to recognize the additional work that faculty have undertaken to convert their courses to a flexible hybrid learning environment.

 

Social Distancing Guidelines for the Workplace

• Employees should maintain a distance of at least 6 ft. amongst all individuals at all times, unless safety of the core activity requires a shorter distance
• In-person gatherings should be limited, and when held, should be in open, well-ventilated spaces with the appropriate social distancing
• Employees must not socialize in common areas
• If more than one person is in a room, face coverings should be worn at all times
• Office sharing is prohibited unless the required minimum 6 ft. of distance can be maintained
• Designate an intake/reception/meeting room for appointments with students or employees from other departments, so personal workspaces are protected
• Replace in-person appointments with tele-appointments to the extent possible
• Encourage a “clear desk” policy - all supplies, files, documents, and personal items should be kept in drawers and/or cabinets
• Continue holding virtual meetings via Zoom or other similar method in order to reduce density and so that employees who are working remotely can join
• Sharing of office material and supplies is strongly discouraged
• One staff member should be designated as the responsible person for copiers

Additional guidelines are available for departments to assess open work environments and meeting rooms to institute measures to physically separate and increase distance between employees and independent contractors and other co-workers.