"Masks" Archive

Updates from HR: COVID-19 vaccines, asymptomatic testing, face coverings

July 29, 2021

Wake Forest University Human Resources emailed the updates below to faculty and staff on July 28.

Vaccine Success

With more than 95% of colleagues completing the vaccine survey, we are approaching full vaccination status in several areas of campus. This will allow colleagues the freedom to work and connect without face coverings, if they choose. As importantly, this will protect the campus from highly contagious variants.

Vaccine Survey Closes August 2

The employee vaccine survey will close on Monday, August 2. Following that date, any updates to your COVID-19 vaccination status or records will need to be made directly in Workday. If you need to update your COVID-19 vaccination status, email askHR@wfu.edu for instructions.

Note: Supervisors or others on the team should not ask for or receive employee vaccination records. 

Asymptomatic Testing Updates

The University continues planning for asymptomatic testing of those who are not approved to be unmasked in the workplace. Testing will be facilitated by WFBH staff in Benson Center. Faculty and staff testing will take place two days per week; student testing will occur on the alternate days. Start dates for testing and scheduling will be communicated in the coming weeks

I choose to mask, please don’t ask

There are many reasons why an individual may choose to wear a face covering on campus. For instance, they may be:

• Unable to get vaccinated due to medical or religious reasons
• Vaccinated and immunocompromised
• Vaccinated and living with unvaccinated children or family members
• Vaccinated and uncomfortable being unmasked in large gatherings
• Vaccinated and recently returned from travel
• Vaccinated and recently exposed to someone with COVID-19

Avoid making assumptions about the vaccination status of others and respect individual choices to mask.

View the full message, including frequently asked questions about vaccines and face coverings, on the human resources communications website.

Updates from HR: NC Phase 2.5, employee resources, schedules

September 3, 2020

North Carolina enters Phase 2.5

This week Governor Cooper announced that North Carolina will move into reopening Phase 2.5 beginning Friday, Sept. 4 at 5 p.m. At this time, Wake Forest University will maintain current gathering limitations of 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors. The University will consult with public health officials and consider results from the first few weeks of our random testing program before potentially increasing our gathering limit to the new state levels. WFU affiliated entities, like Reynolda House Museum of American Art and the Graylyn Estate, may reopen or expand their services within state guidelines.

Faculty and staff resources

Mask distribution

The state-wide face covering requirement is still in effect as North Carolina transitions into Phase 2.5. Free face coverings are available for faculty and staff pick-up at the following campus locations:

• Benson Information Desk
• Environmental Health and Safety Office
• Reynolds Gym Front Desk
• School of Business Student Engagement Suite
• ZSR Library Circulation Desk

If you would like to request masks for your entire department or have questions, contact Jen Haggas at haggasjl@wfu.edu.

Imprints Cares scholarships

Imprints Cares has limited income-based scholarships for their E-Learning Enrichment Centers available to WFU faculty and staff. Interested colleagues should contact the Imprints Cares Expanded Learning office at 336.722.6296.

Faculty and staff clinic

The Faculty and Staff Clinic is now open to all WFU faculty and staff regardless of insurance provider. Medical staff can help determine if an employee should go to work, answer COVID-19 related questions, connect individuals to care and provide care if a colleague begins to feel unwell at work.

The clinic nurse is available to answer questions Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., as well as Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to noon and 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. The clinic can be reached at 743.223.4217.

In-person appointments are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and can be made at wfuclinic.com.

Schedule reminders

Labor Day Holiday

Monday, Sept. 7 is a holiday for WFU staff; Monday classes are still in session. Colleagues can view the Reynolda Campus 2020 Holiday Schedule here.

Employees working reduced schedules

Individuals working a reduced schedule should coordinate with their managers to develop a full workload or explore a longer-term reduced work schedule. Managers may recommend shifting responsibilities to support new COVID-related needs within their units or applying to fill an urgent part-time COVID Opportunity. Human resources shared the COVID Opportunities access password in their Sept. 3 email to faculty and staff.

Employees in furlough status

As previously communicated, the University will continue to subsidize NC unemployment benefits for furloughed employees through the pay cycle ending Sept. 18. Individuals in furlough status should speak with their managers or department heads about expectations for returning to work.

Those directly impacted will received additional communications in the coming days. Contact human resources at askHR@wfu.edu or 336.758.4700.