Important update for UH employees

This message was shared with the faculty, and staff of the 10-campus University of Hawaiʻi system on March 23, 2020.

Aloha valued UH employees,

Thank you again for your important work during this difficult time. We hope that you and your loved ones are safe. This message is a follow up to President Lassnerʻs message yesterday (March 22) on the county emergency orders to work-from-home/stay-at-home.

While the emergency orders include exemptions for government employees and/or employees of educational institutions, President Lassner stated in his message, we are continuing our, “drive to reduce the number of people on our campuses and increase social distancing.” We are encouraging employees to work from home, if possible.

• Support the UH Student Relief fund and COVID-19 research

Unfortunately, there is no one answer for every work situation in our ten-campus, 10,000-employee, public university system spread across six islands. We understand that new situations and scenarios are arising constantly. Please know that each situation is being addressed as quickly as possible by the appropriate supervisor and their management, where necessary. Your patience is greatly appreciated as we all adapt to these unprecedented conditions.

• Employees should continue to process, if they have not already, a Work From Home Request and Agreement (“Request”) (PDF) form along with an informal written description of the duties he or she is able to perform from home—via email or other documentation.
  • Employees may start to work remotely immediately upon approval of their request and the employee and supervisor must formalize a more detailed work plan (PDF) (template) within 5 working days
• If your status is still not clear, confirm with your supervisor, by email or discussion, whether you need to come to work tomorrow (Tuesday, March 24)

The university is also working to add COVID-19 related codes in the UH online leave system to reflect: 1) approved work from home status; and 2) paid administrative leave if authorized by a UH Officer and the UH President.

If you have any questions, please refer to COVID-19 FAQs on the Office of Human Resources website, contact your HR representative, or email COVID19@hawaii.edu.

Thank you again for your patience as we navigate the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic together.

Mahalo,
University of Hawaiʻi