Coronavirus updates for supervisors

Mar. 27, 2020

This message as sent to all campus supervisors at the University of Nevada, Reno from Tim McFarling, Associate Vice President, Human Resources.

Colleagues,

Below are five different topics related to Operations and Human Resources which you need to know to better serve your employees. HR is here to help you navigate through the challenges of this situation. Please feel free to reach out to us with your questions. Be sure to look for ways to continue the comradery and teamwork you have developed with your employees.

Stay connected from a distance!

Hiring Freeze, New Position Approval

To date, (March 27, 2020) the only exceptions made to the Systemwide NSHE hiring freeze have been for critical health care needs and public safety. All other hiring requests and request for new position approval must be sent from the Dean or Vice President to the Provost to begin the exception process. All positions, including LOA’s temporary hourly, student employees must be approved. The Provost and President will review the hiring requests, prioritize them, and forward to the Chancellor for approval. The first submission is due from the Deans and Vice Presidents today. Requests will be compiled periodically. The Provost will advise the Deans of submission dates. The Chancellor has specifically directed that no new recruitments begin before he has reviewed and approved the position for hire.

Faculty and Classified Salary Adjustments, Promotions and Reclassifications

Due to the projected budget shortfalls, the University will be postponing any decisions made regarding salary action and promotions for employees. For additional information, please see the Salary Adjustments, Promotions and Reclassifications article in the Knowledge Base.

Coronavirus Information For Time Off and Paying Student Employees/Hourly

There is a number of new policies and practices you will need to follow and or relay to your employees. Please follow the links below to become familiar with these new processes. Please check back often as the situation evolves. Current guidance can be found in the Requesting regular time off or coronavirus time off article in the Knowledge Base. Requesting Time Off in Workday now requires the employee requesting leave to select one of two reasons: Regular Time off or Coronavirus Time Off. For additional information, please see the Time-Off Tracking article in the Knowledge Base.

There has been some confusion about paying student employees and temporary hourly employees as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. For additional information, please see the Paying Student and Hourly Employees article in the Knowledge Base.

Computer Loan Program for Remote Workers

MIKC and the Office of Information Technology are offering a limited number of computers to loan to employees who may need a computer for remote work. See a preview of the Computers Available for Remote-Designated Employees announcement that will be sent to employees on Monday. The employee will need the supervisor’s justification/approval for remote use in order for the loan to be approved.

Evaluations

For guidance to complete evaluations, please see the Evaluation Guidance During the Coronavirus Pandemic article in the Knowledge Base.

Tim McFarling MSW, MA, SPHR
Associate Vice President
Human Resources
University of Nevada, Reno
Voice: (775) 784-8269
Fax: (775) 784-1073
Email: tcm@unr.edu