COVID-19 Updates from Human Resources

November 12, 2020

Dear colleagues,

Echoing the message sent last week by President Daniels and Provost Akridge, let me extend my deepest appreciation for everything that you have done to protect Purdue and support each other during these difficult times.

As we approach the end of the fall semester, I wanted to provide some answers to questions frequently asked of Human Resources.

  • Work location status: The majority of our staff will continue under the same work location status — whether remote, hybrid or 100% on campus — through the spring semester. Depending on the need for on-campus support, departments may consider moving some employees from hybrid to remote while students are away from campus. This decision should be made on a departmental, case-by-case basis based on operational needs, and will be communicated to staff by their direct supervisor.
  • Employee COVID-19 surveillance testing: Weekly testing of critical employees will continue while students are away from campus; however, random employee surveillance testing will temporarily pause, effective Nov. 20, and will begin again in early January. The Protect Purdue Health Center will remain open throughout the break, and appointments will be available to anyone who needs or wants to be tested. For more information on Purdue’s testing, visit https://protect.purdue.edu/protect-purdue-health-center/how-to-get-tested/. 
  • Vulnerability self-identification for spring 2021: For employees who have already completed a request for workplace adjustments/accommodations regarding vulnerability, that agreement will remain in place for the spring semester and doesn’t need to be resubmitted unless changes are needed. Employees who need to complete a new request or make changes can go to https://www.purdue.edu/hr/COVID-19/assessment.php.

Additionally, with the move to remote learning for many of our area schools, I understand the challenges that this places on our staff. As in the spring, I’d like for our supervisors to continue to allow flexibility with schedules and paid time off for any impacted colleague that is facing increased child care demands.

For specific details around paid time off options, visit https://www.purdue.edu/hr/COVID-19/payleave/index.php. There are also resources available via our HR benefits / family friendly website to aid parents in finding child care arrangements and referrals by visiting https://www.purdue.edu/hr/familyfriendly/off_Campus/Index.html.

Human Resources’ Working Through COVID-19 website remains an excellent resource, as well.

Thanks again for your extraordinary efforts to protect Purdue. Together, we will get through this.

Bill Bell

Vice President for Human Resources