July 31, 2020
To Washington University employees,
This morning, you received a message from Chancellor Martin and Provost Wendland regarding plans for the upcoming fall semester. As stated, the health, safety and well-being of people are our priorities as we look ahead toward collective success.
It is important that all of us understand the guidelines, plans and changes on campus, and do our part to keep our community healthy and safe. Visit the WashU Together: COVID-19 Response website for details on the plan for fall. Review the FAQ for more information. The university is hosting a series of town halls, listed on the WashU Together website. Refer to your area’s guidance for more details on how the fall plan impacts your school or unit.
As we move forward, balancing remote and on-campus operations is a part of our future. This is not a return to normal operations – we are creating a new future, together. To address our evolving and complex needs, we updated policies and expanded well-being resources. The university’s Accommodation Process was updated for COVID related work modification requests or other reasonable accommodations. A new Flexible Work arrangement policy is now in place, which better supports the changing needs of our workforce, allows for flexible work schedules and addresses area operational needs. For any employees working on campus, there are four key actions to follow when on site – masking, physical distancing, daily screening and practicing personal hygiene. You can find information on these important practices in the Return to Campus Learn@Work training, as well as on the COVID-19 Response website. Whether working on campus or at home, we all play a role in keeping our community healthy and safe.
All of us are coping with the stressors and challenges we face personally and as an institution. We recognize the serious impact the pandemic has on our people. Our goal, as always, is to focus on the well-being of people and help address the stressors put on our health, safety, financial stability, work and family life balance and professional success.
Please refer to the Employee Well-being Hub on the HR website for resources and support related to health, wellness, mental health, childcare, financial well-being and online learning opportunities. A Coping with Covid hotline and resources are available for emotional support. Work-Life Solutions,the employee assistance program, is available 24/7 for support for all aspects of your life – from counseling to managing everyday personal and family needs. Look for ongoing well-being support in the employee newsletter, the Resource, on the HR website, and in other university communications.
We know you are stepping up in unique and important ways during these extraordinary times. We are grateful for your dedication and ability to adapt to this new environment, address challenges and carry out our missions of research, teaching and patient care.
Thank you for your continued cooperation and resilience.
Sincerely,
Henry S. Webber
Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Administrative Officer
Legail Chandler
Vice Chancellor for Human Resources