Updates about PTO, SneezSafe and Campus Redensification

This message is shared on behalf of Wake Forest University Human Resources; it was emailed to faculty and staff on May 19.

Bottom line, up front:

• Paid Time Off: The PTO policy has been updated and WFU will implement a PTO leave bank of up to 120 hours of additional PTO carryforward into 2022. View the Paid Time Off (PTO) Guide for more information.
• SneezSafe: Daily use of SneezSafe prior to coming to campus is no longer required; colleagues are still required to self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19.
• Campus Redensification: Prior to students returning for fall, student- and faculty/staff-facing departments should develop staffing plans that can respond to fluid public health guidance, beginning with accommodating at least 3ft of social distance.

Dear Colleagues,

As we continue to navigate a dynamic public health landscape, we remain focused on reevaluating and updating COVID-19 policies and procedures. While some may be sunsetted, others will be revised to reflect improved public health conditions while still supporting the ongoing safety of our campus community. As we receive updated guidance from our public health experts and campus leadership, we will continue to provide updates to you.

Paid Time Off (PTO) Update

Wake Forest recognizes that the ongoing demands on the pandemic response have made it difficult for some colleagues to step away from responsibilities and use accrued PTO. To accommodate these challenges, the University has developed a plan for PTO carryforward from 2021 into 2022.

The implementation of a PTO leave bank will allow the retention of excess PTO, up to 120 hours. This leave bank can be used for vacation, personal or sick time and will expire December 31, 2024. Additional details about how the leave bank operates, calculating PTO and best practices are outlined in the Paid Time Off (PTO) Guide.

The PTO Policy has been revised to reflect the requirement that staff must record time off in the University’s time-keeping system, Workday, to be eligible for PTO carryforward and/or payouts. The revision also reflects the continuation of non-exempt staff to borrow up to their full annual accrual prior to accruing it.

SneezSafe Update

Effective immediately, faculty and staff are no longer required to complete the SneezSafe daily wellness screening. Instead, colleagues should conduct a daily health self-assessment prior to coming to campus to monitor for symptoms of COVID-19.

Beginning Monday, May 24, WFU employees will no longer receive a daily SneezSafe text reminder unless they are participating in the WFBH COVID-19 vaccine study. If you are participating in the study, reminders will continue; you do not need to take any action. If you are not participating in the study and would still like to receive daily text reminders to assist with self-monitoring, complete the SneezSafe Reminders Request form.

For additional SneezSafe questions or assistance, fill out the SneezSafe Help Request form. If you need help determining whether you should proceed to campus, you may continue to use SneezSafe as a helpful resource or contact the Faculty and Staff Clinic directly at 743.223.4217 with questions.

Campus Redensification Update

As a primarily residential University with a commitment to the teacher-scholar ideal, our dedication to mission prioritizes personal interaction between students, faculty and staff. With the exception of select programs that are offered online, all teaching will be in-person in the fall semester.

As we plan for the fall, we are encouraging leaders and teams to think creatively about how each school, division and department can best support our shared commitment in unique ways. Last month, we shared the Campus Redensification Guidelines: Spring 2021 Edition and encouraged managers and colleagues to use this guide to facilitate conversations throughout the summer to make plans for the fall. All student- and faculty-facing departments and divisions should plan to be fully staffed when students arrive for fall classes. Public health guidance continues to be fluid and current guidance suggests planning for at least 3ft of social distancing in office spaces.

Colleagues in departments and divisions which are not student- and faculty-facing may have questions about if and when they would be required to return to on-site work. The University is exploring possible revisions to the current Remote Work Policy that would support increased flexibility and enhanced accountability for both employees and managers. Revised telecommuting and flextime options would include space-sharing and opportunities for in-person collaboration. We will communicate additional information about these possible revisions in the coming month.

As a reminder, colleagues are invited to attend the upcoming Faculty and Staff COVID Update at 4 p.m. tomorrow, May 20. An invitation with Zoom webinar details was sent by the Office of the Provost yesterday.

We appreciate your patience and adaptability as we transition into the summer months. Faculty and staff may submit feedback and questions to Human Resources using the HR Feedback Form or contact us directly by emailing askHR@wfu.edu.

Sincerely,
Wake Forest University Human Resources