A message from Chief Human Resources Officer Jeff Herring
Beginning immediately, we are asking departmental leaders to begin working with their teams to identify employees and positions (as well as functions) who must report in-person to work and those whose work can be completed remotely.
The guidance below has been produced by the U’s Human Resources team to assist supervisors and leaders in this process. While staffing plans should be implemented immediately, leaders should keep track of the designations and provide a report to their supervisory vice president or dean by Friday, March 20, at noon.
Please note, all University of Utah Hospitals and Clinics (UUHC) and University of Utah Health employees and faculty will be designated as “mandatory required on campus” because of the current public health crisis. Any exceptions to this must be approved by the appropriate University of Utah Health administrator.
We recognize this is not an easy process and that there may not be consensus on some teams. That said, please do your best to help support your supervisors in this dialogue and decision-making process. As President Watkins stated last week in a press conference with the state’s elected leaders, our decisions in this crisis will continue to be guided by our core values which include taking prudent steps to protect the health and well-being of our campus community.
Employees with questions: Please work with your supervisors. Supervisors and directors with questions: Please contact your HR representative or associated payroll reporter.
COVID-19 Special Protocol Guidance for Designating Employee Positions with Respect to University Required Telecommuting
CURRENT REQUIRED ACTION
Campus departments/colleges should designate all employees into one of the following two categories and begin implementing. As these groups are categorized please submit a list to HR by Friday, March 20, at noon so that HR can upload it into the system for future use, as needed.
Category I: Mandatory Required On Campus or Health Care Facilities (can be an employee or multiple employees in a function)
ALL UUHC AND U HEALTH POSITIONS (FACULTY AND STAFF) ARE DESIGNATED AS MANDATORY BECAUSE OF THIS PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY AND ARE REQUIRED TO BE ON CAMPUS.
Employees and/or functions designated as mandatory requiring employees to be physically located on campus in order to maintain campus systems and operations.
Tasks to be completed now
- Identify positions that fit into this category. Examples may include:
- Public Safety/Emergency Management
- Plant Operations/Critical Facility and Utility Management
- Certain food service and housing functions
- Certain administrative functions required to support campus operations and faculty, staff and student needs
Category II: Not Required On Campus (will fall into one of the two sub-groups based upon circumstances)
1. Those able to telework:
Employees and/or functions where employees are able to work remotely in order to maintain campus systems and operations.
Tasks to be completed now
- Identify positions that fit into this category. Examples may include:
- General office workers, including clerical and administrative support
- Certain administrative functions
- Call centers
- Identify work that can be done remotely
- Prepare employees to telework to assure they are prepared for the possibility of teleworking UIT Remote Resources Guide
- Complete COVID-19 Telecommuting Form
- Begin testing/piloting teleworking
2. Those unable to telework:
Employees and/or functions where employees are unable to telework and for whom there are no alternate work assignments or work available.
Tasks to be completed now
- Identify positions that fit into this category. Examples may include:
- Select part-time positions
- Select student workers
- Ushers
Compensation
Will receive paid administrative leave at straight time for work time that was or would have been normally/regularly scheduled