The University of Nebraska has doubled the amount of COVID-19-related emergency paid administrative leave being offered to all employees.
Announced in a March 26 email, the expanded policy offers up to 160 hours of administrative paid leave in the event of self-quarantine, quarantine or care of an immediate family member, childcare resulting from school closures, or related scenarios.
The email message was signed by Ted Carter, president of the NU system; Chancellor Ronnie Green; and Doug Christensen and Jeffrey Gold, leaders of the University of Nebraska at Kearney and University of Nebraska Medical Center/University of Nebraska at Omaha, respectively.
“To provide you with additional flexibility as you plan for the weeks ahead, we are extending the emergency paid administrative leave policy, effectively immediately,” the message said. “This extension will give us time to analyze related actions being taken at the federal level and talk with our peer institutions.
“More importantly, we hope the additional leave helps you manage what we can all agree are unprecedented challenges while continuing the important work of the university.”
Additionally, all vacation time to be earned by employees at the 280-hour limit — which normally is lost if not used — will be added to the university’s crisis leave bank.
“This simple strategy, requiring no action on your part, will build a bigger cushion for colleagues in crisis,” Carter said. “And, it aligns with our goals to take care of each other in a difficult time.”
Additionally, employees can donate existing vacation leave to the crisis bank if desired.
The administrative paid leave is available to all employees, including student and temporary workers. Part-time employees will be eligible for a prorated amount of time.
University leaders continue to strongly encourage the use of alternate work arrangements and telecommute options — with supervisor approval. Questions regarding lack of work should be directed to the campus human resources team.
The policy is temporary and reserved for use during the current pandemic. The program and other leave policies will be reevaluated as needed.
Access the entire message, which includes a number of frequently asked questions.
