Human Resources: Staff Telecommuting Memo

March 13, 2020

This message is a follow-up in response to additional questions from yesterday’s communications and some updates:

At this time, it is John Carroll University’s intention to keep our Staff employees working their normal work hours. Unless conditions change that would alter work schedules, we do not intend to have reductions of work hours or mandate time off. No employee should be told not to work. If an employee chooses to take time off and the supervisor agrees, that is acceptable.

Employees who may not have full workloads due to the changes in campus operations may be asked to float to other departments or perform duties that may be somewhat outside of their normal job description to support campus operations. There may also be slight adjustments to scheduled work hours.  

As an exception to our normal policy, if an employee requires time off during this period for issues related to COVID-19, like illness or needing to provide dependent child care, and the supervisor approves, the employee can use any of the following time off banks that may have an available balance - sick, vacation, personal, or PTO. 

Also, the temporary telecommuting file has been updated to be PDF fillable  https://jcu.edu/sites/default/files/2020-03/Telecommuting%20Request%20Form_031220_1.pdf  

March 12, 2020

To continue reducing the risk of community spread, we are encouraging supervisors to permit staff employees to telecommute if their jobs allow them to do so. This decision follows today’s recommendation from Ohio Governor Mike Dewine that Ohioans should work remotely if possible.

In his press conference, Gov. Dewine also announced a three-week spring break for Ohio’s K-12 public, private, and charter schools, effective at the end of the day on Monday, March 16 through Friday, April 3. We realize this will impact the parents on our staff and we are asking supervisors to be flexible and accommodating. 

We acknowledge that some employees have roles that require them to be on campus. Supervisors and employees must have open and honest discussions about job functions. If you believe you have a role that can be done via telecommuting and wish to telecommute, you must complete this form. When some on-campus presence is necessary for the department, your supervisor also may determine that intermittent telecommuting is appropriate, or that one or more employees in their area can alternate necessary on-campus presence duties with telecommuting. 

To be clear: Our campus remains open. The operations of John Carroll University are ongoing. This is simply an escalation of our preventative measures by having fewer employees on-campus when it is not necessary for University operations. 

We developed a Staff FAQ that will be a useful resource for telecommuting questions. You can always contact your supervisor or Human Resources as well.

In keeping with our Jesuit values, please remember to support your colleagues with care, compassion, and understanding.

If the news and other communications around COVID-19 cause you or your staff distress, please remember IMPACT Employee Assistance Program is a wonderful and confidential resource available to all employees and members of their household. For more information, please call 800-227-6007 or visit their website www.myimpactsolution.com.

Thanks,

Jen Rick Assistant Vice President of Human Resources