Updates from your CHRO: Expanded Remote Work and Leave Protections
Dear Colleagues,
I’m pleased to share what will be the first in a series of regular messages to staff from Campus Human Resources. As your Chief Human Resources Officer, I am committed to keeping you informed and up to date. Today, I have several critical updates to share about topics many of you asked about at last week’s Staff Town Hall.
Remote Work through December 31
A big question for those who are working remotely is: when can we expect to be called back to work on campus? I’m very pleased to share that employees who are currently working remotely successfully can continue to do so at least through December 31, 2020 (unless otherwise notified by your supervisor).
Empowering employees to continue to work from home whenever possible supports staff as they balance work with family and other caretaking responsibilities. It also reduces the population density on campus, which helps protect our student-facing employees and other essential staff working on site.
Chancellor Supplemental Leave
I am also very happy to share details about a new leave provision for UC San Diego employees: Chancellor Supplemental Leave. I’d like to extend my gratitude to Chancellor Khosla for endorsing this important new leave provision, which reflects our institutional commitment to supporting UC San Diego employees and contributing to the greater public health effort.
· This one-time allotment of up to 80 hours is available to employees who are:
o Seeking testing for COVID-19 based on a medical professional’s written recommendation; or
o Complying with State or County self-isolation requirements if the following conditions apply: (a) the employee has tested positive for COVID-19 and (b) the employee cannot work remotely because the employee has COVID-19.
· To use Chancellor Supplemental Leave, employees must first exhaust the University Paid Administrative Leave allotment and any Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) Emergency Paid Sick Leave allotment. However, it may be used before exhausting accrued sick and vacation leave.
· The amount of Chancellor Supplemental Leave available is prorated according to the percent time of an employee’s appointment.
· This leave will be available now through December 31, 2020.
Expanded Use of Sick Leave
In other news that supports our staff, the University of California Office of the President has expanded policy-covered employees’ ability to use sick leave during the COVID-19 pandemic, recognizing the significant challenges around childcare and schooling that many employees are facing.
Effective July 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020, sick leave may be used in situations where an employee is unable to work (either on-site or remotely) because they need to care for a child who is home due to school or daycare closure resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Represented employees should continue to follow the applicable collective bargaining agreement. If you have any questions, contact employeerelations@ucsd.edu.
Campus Human Resources is Here for You
It’s been incredible and inspiring over the last few months to see the ways in which, faced with an unprecedented global crisis, UC San Diego staff are demonstrating grace, flexibility and resilience. The creativity and innovation I see every day as we learn to work in new ways is truly remarkable. Thank you for all you are doing.
Nancy E. Resnick Chief Human Resources Officer
University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093
