University of Idaho President Scott Green sent out a memo May 15 detailing how the university would follow the Idaho Rebounds stages and how employees would return to their normal work locations on campus.
The memo stated “(UI’s) primary goal is the safety of our Vandal Family. We continue to work closely with Idaho Public Health to evaluate each decision and plan to return all employees to regular work locations by Monday, June 15. But we must remain flexible, attentive and proactive. Employees who are vulnerable or live with someone who is vulnerable should contact Human Resources for assistance to determine reasonable accommodations for each stage.”
The Human Resource Department is following federal and state laws, along with their own procedures, to determine what accommodations will be provided. According to Brandi Terwilliger, director of human resources, accommodations can fall under five categories.
These categories include:
- Medical condition or health of an employee under the Americans with Disabilities Act (APM50.52)
- Childcare under the Families First Corona Response Act (FFCRA)
- Care of an immediate family member under the Families First Corona Response Act (FFCRA)
- Care of an immediate family member under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
- Care of an immediate family member under the Flexplace policy (FSH3250)
Medical documentation may be required to determine eligibility for these accommodations.
FFCRA allows employees to take paid sick leave if they are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or must care for a family member with the disease. It also allows employees to take paid sick leave if they need to care for a child under 18 whose school or childcare system is closed due to COVID-19.
FMLA allows employees to take 12 work weeks of leave in a 12-month period if they must take care of a family member with a serious health condition, are unable to complete essential functions of their job due to a health condition or must care for new children.
The UI Flexplace policy allows accommodation of work hours for personal needs of employees when doing so won’t affect the productivity of the employee’s department.
Most employees will be able to continue working from home over the summer even if they don’t fall under the five categories. Employees will only be required to return if it is necessary for them to be on site to perform their duties.
Buildings will open as they are needed by those who use them, UI Interim Provost and Executive Vice President Torrey Lawrence said. It is likely that the ISUB and Pitman Ccenter will be the first to open because those buildings house offices which interact with the public. Academic department buildings will be opened as needed since most summer classes are being offered online rather than in person.
Casey Doyle, associate professor of art and design for the College of Art and Architecture, will be returning to campus for artmaking and research this summer.
“I feel safe given that there are very few people that utilize the building that I am working in,” Doyle said. “I have two graduate students that are working in the building. We are mindful of each other’s space and keep a distance and wear masks when necessary.”
As people return, they will be required to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines like social distancing and wearing face coverings when around other people. Within an office space, employees may also work to coordinate coming in on alternating days to minimize the amount of people they are around.
Following safety guidelines will continue through summer and fall, with many noticeable changes coming when students return to campus in the fall.
Students will be required to wear face coverings on campus and to follow social distancing guidelines. Classroom capacities will be smaller than normal to allow for social distancing. There will also be fewer large events held on campus, including athletic, performance and speaking events.
“Safety is what’s really driving these decisions,” Lawrence said.
Joey Cisneros can be reached at [email protected]