Return to work safely, unit plans in review

As you know, the university is planning to bring employees back to campus safely and prudently. To help accomplish this task, UB units were asked last week to develop and submit return-to-work plans that follow a set of best-practice health guidelines. These guidelines recommend the continuation of remote work arrangements, where effective, in order to lower the density of people on campus – with a target of having 50% less people in unit work areas. As a university community, we also will focus on maintaining social distancing in our work spaces and we will require all employees to wear face coverings where social distancing standards cannot be met.

As of June 15, more than 20 UB units have submitted return-to-work plans for review by expert teams within the offices of Facilities, Human Resources, and Environment, Health and Safety. Until a unit’s plan receives approval, employees who are working remotely should continue to work remotely

Before we begin the gradual return of employees, there are several key components that will be developed and completed university-wide:

• Several options are being identified in order for UB to meet New York State requirement for daily screenings, which will ask employees to attest to their health status each day. When implemented, this process will include essential employees currently working on campus.
• Supplies of disinfectant wipes will be distributed to each unit as employees return to work.
• More information and education on what to expect upon returning to campus will be shared with employees as plans are finalized, including plans for testing and tracing at the university.

We sincerely appreciate the patience and diligence of all UB employees as we carefully plan to bring people back to campus while managing risk and implementing health and safety guidelines.