Faculty and Staff Accommodations for Spring 2021

The following message was sent to faculty and staff on Sept. 15.

Dear Faculty and Staff,

Although the fall semester has just begun, we are busy making plans for the spring 2021 semester. We continue to recognize some of our employees may be particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 due to their age, underlying health conditions, or other factors. Please see the CDC’s list of high-risk groups.

Here is an update on accommodation requests for the spring:

If you are CURRENTLY APPROVED for an accommodation, you will be receiving a separate communication from HRD, and personnel in that office will work with you to assess extending this request for the spring.

If you need to request a NEW accommodation for the spring, please review the information below and request an appointment with the Office of Human Resources Development (HRD) to discuss your specific situation, documentation requirements, and options. All new requests for accommodation should be directed through HRD following the procedures below. Please do not begin the process with your department chair, dean, or supervisor; they will be notified by HRD if an accommodation is granted.

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATIONS

The University will continue to follow its established process for disability accommodations, including engaging in the interactive process with faculty and staff with disabilities to determine whether they require reasonable accommodations to perform the essential functions of their job amidst the pandemic. If faculty or staff have a medical condition that could reasonably affect their ability to safely perform their duties on campus, they must request a reasonable accommodation through HRD and go through the interactive process. Based on the information obtained through that process, a determination will be made as to whether the employee qualifies for a reasonable accommodation.

HIGH-RISK CONSIDERATIONS

For employees who may not have a disability, but are otherwise considered “high risk” for serious illness due to COVID-19, the University has established the process below for those faculty and staff to explore the possibility of alternative work arrangements with their supervisors.

• Employees who are, or will be 65 or older as of June 30, 2021, and wish to work from home should contact HRD before Sept. 30, 2020.

• Employees whose own underlying health condition increases the risk for serious complications related to COVID-19 (as set forth in CDC guidelines) should contact HRD to discuss the situation no later than Sept. 30, 2020. HRD will notify the appropriate supervisor if the request is granted.

• Employees who cohabitate with someone who is or will be age 65 or older as of June 30, 2021, or who cohabitate with someone with an underlying health condition that increases the risk for serious complications related to COVID-19, shall contact HRD to discuss the situation by Sept. 30, 2020. HRD will notify the appropriate supervisor of the staff member’s decision.

• In addition to the above considerations, UHart will grant temporary unpaid administrative leave to any staff member who requests such a leave. Requests should be made to HRD no later than Oct. 15, 2020. HRD shall notify the appropriate supervisor, and address such requests on a semester-by-semester basis.

It is possible that your circumstances could change after these deadlines. If that happens, please contact HRD.

Thank you for your patience—and for all you do, have done, and will do for this university.
 
Fred Sweitzer, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
Jen Conley, Interim Director, Human Resources Development