COVID-19 Employee Guide

Employees who come to a UB campus are required to submit a Daily Health Check.

Mandatory weekly testing will continue for those who:

• Are on campus AND have not been fully vaccinated 
• Fail to verify that they have completed their vaccination series

UB employees should be returning to campus to support our goal of being a place-based institution for the fall semester. We ask that all individuals interested in exploring workplace flexibility and telecommuting be patient as the university takes steps to implement the new policy.

SUNY Telecommuting Policy:

On August 2, 2021, the new SUNY Telecommuting Policy was distributed for implementation at the campus level.  This new policy is a positive step forward and will assist our institution’s efforts to assist with work productivity and increase employee engagement overall. SUNY’s policy will support telecommuting and flexible work, where it is reasonable to do so, based on the University’s mission, operational and program needs. Read more about SUNY’s Telecommuting Policy.

I do not meet the exemption criteria for not returning to work on campus, but I feel unsafe doing so.

The best way to protect yourself is to get vaccinated. COVID-19 cases are very low in our region and health risks have significantly decreased due to high rates of vaccination. Anyone who is unvaccinated will be expected to wear a mask and practice physical distancing. These practices have been repeatedly shown to significantly reduce your risk of being infected with COVID-19. Vaccinated students and employees may choose to wear a mask in all settings for their own comfort or personal medical reasons.

I am currently working remotely as part of an approved FMLA agreement. Do I still need to request a telecommuting arrangement?

Employees who are working remotely as part of an approved Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) benefit are not required to submit a Telecommuting request. Your work arrangement is unaffected by this policy change. 

If your request for a face mask exemption is approved, you will be provided with documentation and asked to request a Plexiglas or plastic face shield from University Facilities and provide them with exemption documentation from Human Resources. The face shield that should be worn at all times on campus.

It is important to remember that face shields do not provide as much protection against COVID-19 as a tight fitting, cloth face mask.

• Cloth face masks may not be enough protection for individuals whose work brings them into higher than average exposure to infectious airborne particles. Examples may include individuals who work on the front lines of health care or in some research laboratories. In these cases, UB will provide you with the appropriate personal protection equipment, including appropriate face coverings.
• Contact your supervisor or UB Human Resources at 716-645-7777 for specific guidance regarding your personal work situation.

Fast Fact: The American Lung Association has stated that even individuals with underlying chronic lung disease should be able to wear a non-N95 facial covering without affecting their oxygen or carbon dioxide levels.

• If you suspect you have COVID-19, please contact Human Resources or your supervisor immediately. We will provide guidance.
• If you are unable to report to work because of a nonmedical COVID-19 situation (e.g., caring for a child whose school or day care is closed; caring for a family member with COVID-19), please contact your supervisor. They will work with UB Human Resources (HR) to determine what benefits or leave options may be available (e.g., accruals, NYSPFL, FMLA, or other) and to consider whether there are any alternative work arrangements that would allow you to perform essential job duties.

• The university strongly recommends that UB faculty, staff and students avoid traveling to regions that are impacted by the virus.
• Travel pre-approval is required. For those circumstances in which overnight business travel is required, UB employees must obtain pre-approval before making any travel arrangements. Travelers should follow guidance from their Unit Business Officer (UBO) to obtain required approvals including the Deans approval for Academic units and Vice Presidential approval for academic support units. Once your travel is pre-approved, and after your trip has occurred, you must attach a copy of the completed signed travel pre-approval form to your expense report for reimbursement. 
• Employees who travel are advised to follow NYS COVID-19 Travel Advisory guidelines.

• The university will immediately notify the state and local health departments of known confirmed positive cases on a UB campus. If a member of the campus community is tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, UB will support the Erie County Health Department’s contact tracing procedures in accordance with the New York State Contact Tracing Program. Confidentiality will be maintained as required by federal and state law and regulations.