UNO Human Resources Answers COVID-19 Questions

The UNO Department of Human Resources has provided the following list of frequently asked questions from UNO faculty and staff about work-related issues due to the university's COVID-19 response.  

Will employees get paid if a department shuts down due to COVID-19 and there is no work to do from home?  

Managers are encouraged to work with employees to explore all possibilities for campus or remote working options. This could include a temporary assignment to work in another UNO area. If no remote or campus work option is possible, employees may use up to 80 hours of the Administrative Leave. Additional paid leave may be used per UNO’s current paid leave policies. 

If an employee is out sick for a couple of days, do they need to provide a note from their doctor to return to work? 

Employees should follow the regular sick leave policies and procedures for any illnesses or symptoms not related to COVID-19.  

Does an employee need a doctor’s note or FMLA if they would like to work from home due to a medical condition that puts them at increased risk for COVID-19? 

Employees may contact unohr@unomaha.edu.   

What are the options for employees who are pregnant and have concerns related to the COVID-19 virus?  

All employees should discuss remote work options with their supervisor.  Please contact unohr@unomaha.edu for specific information related to individual situations.   

Who can managers contact for information related to temporary or permanent changes in workforce needs due to COVID-19? 

UNO’s Staffing and Compensation areas are available to assist managers and departments with questions related to workforce changes. Please contact unohr@unomaha.edu. 

Can an employee work from home 4 hours and use 4 hours of the Administrative Leave?    

If there is not sufficient work to complete while working from home, the employee may either flex their schedule then return to the office and work or the employee with supervisor approval may request to use accrued vacation or floating holiday time.  Employees should work closely with their supervisor to identify projects to be completed from home.  However, if the department is closed, the Administrative Leave can be used up to the employee’s FTE. 

Can staff who are identified as essential personnel utilize the Administrative Leave?  

Yes, as circumstances permit. Please contact unohr@unomaha.edu.  

Will an employee need a doctor’s release to return to work if they are sick or quarantined due to the COVID-19 virus?  

Yes. For your safety, and that of entire UNO community, you will be required give your supervisor a note from your provider and email a copy to unohr@unomaha.edu before you can return to work.   

Can employees donate some of their vacation leave to the Crisis Leave bank? 

Yes, employees may donate up to 5 days (40 hours) of accrued Vacation Leave to the Crisis Leave bank. Vacation leave is still capped at 280 hours and only hours that have been accrued may be donated. Employees must complete and submit the Crisis Leave Donation form to their supervisor for approval.

If an employee is scheduled to work at an event that has been cancelled, for example at Baxter Arena, can Administrative Leave be used to cover time lost? 

Yes, if the employee was scheduled to work at an event and could not perform that work due to the event being cancelled, Administrative Leave can be used. (If the employee was not scheduled to work, Administrative Leave should not be used.) 

If the building is closed, for example H&K, and no work is available, can Administrative Leave be used to cover time lost?  

Yes, Administrative Leave may be used if there are no available special projects, work redeployment assignments, or work from home options available. 

Additional Resources  

• President Ted Carter Memo (March 14, 2020)
• Policies

Guidance for Federal Work Study Students 

Federal Work Study students should follow the information provided from the Office of Financial Support and Scholarship.    

Guidance for Student Workers Not on Federal Work Study. 

Student Workers who do not have work in their current assignment see below: 

• Students should tell their supervisor if they would like to be re-assigned following Spring break on March 30th. 

• Supervisors should make every effort to re-assign student workers within their units/departments who request it.  If not available, supervisors may reach out to unohr@unomaha.edu for consideration of other possible options.  

• For those students interested in working who are not re-assigned by March 30th, discuss options with your supervisor for possible alternative work sites, possible work arrangements, or possible use of Administrative Leave.  

• Students who were scheduled and planning to work during Spring Break (March 16 – March 27th), but work was canceled for COVID-19 related reasons and work could not be done remotely or re-assigned, may use this Administrative Leave.  (See President Carter’s memo dated March 14, 2020, Emergency Leave for COVID-19 Related Absences .