To assist with the distribution and sharing of information during the COVID-19 pandemic, please refer to this list of communications and resources for University faculty, staff, supervisors, administrators, and HR Liaisons. This list will be updated as appropriate and necessary, as new information is made available.
We encourage all faculty and staff to regularly visit www.coronavirus.pitt.edu for all information regarding COVID-19, as well as general health and safety guidelines.
On this page, you can find:
- Updates for All Faculty and Staff
- Updates for Supervisors, Administrators, and HR Liaisons
- Policy Updates and Employee Guidance
- Updates from OHR
- Updates from the Chancellor
Quick Resources:
Updates for All Faculty and Staff
- January 8: Temporary Family Care Proctoring Service
- December 3: Vacation Accrual Cap Continues to be Lifted
- September 21: Flu Shot Clinics - Fall 2020
- September 2: Childcare Resources
- August 10: Return to Campus Information for Staff (from David DeJong)
- July 20: Campus Arrival Details (from David DeJong)
- July 17: Resilience Framework July 17 Update (from Chancellor Gallagher)
- July 1: Update to Staff: Plans for Safe Return to Campus (from David DeJong)
- June 30: Reinventing Our Operations to Keep the Pitt Community Safe and Healthy (from Chancellor Gallagher)
- June 26: A message to faculty from Provost Ann E. Cudd
- June 8: Update on Resiliency Planning (from Chancellor Gallagher)
- June 4: Dental Coverage Premium Refund
- May 29: Planning Process Check-in (from Chancellor Gallagher)
- May 29: Parking and Transportation - Parking Regulation Enforcement Resumes
- May 12: Virtual Form I-9 Verifications
- May 1: Planning for Fall 2020 (from Chancellor Gallagher)
- April 20: Health, Food, and Housing Resources
- April 17: Voluntary Effort Reduction
- April 15: CARES Act Provisions Affecting Retirement Plans
- April 13: Vacation Accrual Cap Lifted
- April 13: Option to Terminate Health Care, Dependent Care, Parking, and Mass Transit Flexible Spending Accounts
- April 10: Temporary Voluntary Sick Day Bank
- April 10: April Parking Permit Fee Update
- April 9: Temporary Voluntary Sick Day Bank Policy and Procedure
- April 2: Faculty & Staff Development Program goes digital for spring term (@Pitt)
- April 2: Making it Work While Working from Home (Pittwire)
- March 27: COVID-19 Pandemic: Virtual FSDP Workshops Open to Faculty and Staff
- March 23: Mailing Services Update: Services and Procedures
- March 22: Update to community: first confirmed COVID-19 case reported on Pittsburgh campus
- March 20: UPMC MyHealth@Work open to faculty and staff
- March 18: COVID-19 Workplace Concerns: Resources for Employees (from David DeJong)
- March 18: Additional Reductions in Pitt's Operating Status (from Chancellor Gallagher)
- March 18: Parking update for essential staff, faculty, graduate students, and postdocs
- March 14: Update to faculty and staff about the University's operational state (from Chancellor Gallagher)
- March 13: University Child Development Center closed; Yammer group created
- March 11: Update to staff about the University's operational state (from David DeJong)
- March 11: Policy updates for Sick Leave and Remote Work Arrangements
Additional Information and Resources
If You Are Feeling Ill: MyHealth@Work Center, UPMC AnywhereCare, COVID-19 testing and treatment
MyHealth@Work Health & Wellness Center
If you believe you have symptoms indicative of COVID-19, or if you believe you have had close contact with someone that has COVID-19, and you want to visit the MyHealth@Work Health & Wellness Center, please call the Center at 412-647-4949 prior to coming to the clinic.
UPMC AnywhereCare
If you have UPMC Health Plan coverage, consider making a virtual visit with UPMC AnywhereCare. Now until December 31, 2020, UPMC is waiving all member cost-sharing, including deductibles or copayments, for all in-network virtual health care visits with UPMC's telehealth providers.
COVID-19 testing and treatment at no cost for UPMC Health Plan members
Through December 31, 2020, UPMC Health Plan is waiving all deductibles, co-insurance, and copays for COVID-19 diagnostic testing and in-network, inpatient COVID-19 treatment. Learn how to get tested.
Option to Terminate Health Care, Dependent Care, Parking, and Mass Transit Flexible Spending Accounts
The Benefits Department is allowing the suspension of Health Care, Dependent Care, Parking, and Mass Transit Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) due to closures caused by COVID-19. Please note: if you have spent your full year's FSA balance, you cannot make changes to your FSAs and you cannot terminate your accounts.
If you have a University Parking Lease that you would like to suspend, you should contact University Parking Services. The Benefits Department is not able to suspend or cancel your parking lease.
Questions about these FSAs should be directed to the Benefits Department.
Note: The Health Care, Dependent Care, Parking, and/or Mass Transit FSA must be terminated entirely in order to stop payroll deductions. If you wish to use these accounts in the future, you must re-enroll during the annual Open Enrollment period for coverage effective July 1, 2020 or if you experience a Qualified Status Change (you must submit a Qualified Status Change within 60 days of the event and with any necessary supporting documentation).
Support for Employees through Life Solutions
Life Solutions, the University’s Faculty and Staff Assistance Program, is available to support employees during this difficult time. In addition to online and phone support, Life Solutions offers a 24/7 crisis line, resources for child and family care, and remote counseling and coaching services. All services are confidential and offered at no cost. Learn more online or call 1-866-647-3432.
Additional Resources from Life Solutions and UPMC:
- Tips for managing a remote workforce
- Tips for working from home
- Taking care of yourself during stressful times
- Support for health care workers
- Supporting your children during COVID-19
- Living and working together during COVID-19
- Domestic violence: signs of an abusive relationship
- Domestic violence: recognizing your own abusive behavior
- Domestic violence: developing a personal safety plan
- Tips for managing disappointment during COVID-19
- Making a budget in uncertain times
- Tips for eating on a budget
- Foods that support your immunity
Additional Health, Food, and Housing Resources
The University of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, and various area organizations offer help for a variety of basic life needs. Find a list of resources that may be of assistance to you and your family.
Connecting Parents and Families: Yammer Group for Pitt Faculty, Staff, and Students who are Parents
As families with children and teens at home navigate the challenges and changes brought on by school closures and other disruptions to daily life, we recognize that there are many questions. In order to help you connect with others in similar situations, the Office of Human Resources and University Center for Child Development have created the Pitt Faculty, Staff and Students who are Parents Yammer group. This platform is a resource for our community to share information and ideas with one another, including child care resources, tips for teaching at home and managing remote work and child care.
Logging into Yammer and Joining the Group
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Access the group directly via this link (accessible via Pitt Passport)
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If the direct link does not work:
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If you have never logged into Yammer, enter your Pitt email and follow the confirmation details that are delivered to your inbox.
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If you have logged into Yammer previously, select “Log In” and sign in via Pitt Passport.
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After logging in, select “Discover more groups” in the left-side navigation.
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Find or search for the group “Pitt Faculty, Staff and Students who are Parents” and select “Join.”
Important Information
The University of Pittsburgh is unable to, for various reasons, expand the already existing child care programs available to employees or create new centers or sites to accommodate these needs. Child care facilities are regulated by the state and require appropriate space, licensing, and carefully screened staff. Additionally, group child care does not support the goal of the social distancing messages that are currently driving many of the school closure decisions that created some of the current challenges.
The University of Pittsburgh makes no representations about the persons participating in the child care arrangement or who are offering advice or suggestions about child care alternatives. We cannot confirm that the participants have gone through any specialized training or backgrounds checks. We make no representation regarding the safety, skill, or competency of the person delivering advice or assistance, and we make no promises, commitments or guarantees regarding the hours of work, renumeration, if any, appropriateness or success of the options being shared or offered. Further, under no circumstances should any existing University of Pittsburgh faculty, staff or students be reassigned or repurposed to provide child care for other University of Pittsburgh faculty, staff, or student in need. As a person seeking child care or preparing to deliver child care, you are strongly encouraged to proceed with caution and engage in appropriate due diligence to ensure the safety and security of your child or children, yourself and others. The decision to seek or deliver child care, outside of an approved child care facility, is at your own risk and is conducted pursuant to the terms and conditions established by the parties. If you do pursue making these arrangements, then you acknowledge you shall not seek redress of any sort, including bringing suit, against the University of Pittsburgh with respect to care rendered to your child(ren).
TIAA Virtual Sessions
If you have questions or concerns about your retirement portfolio, or just want to talk about general investment strategies, TIAA is available for virtual one-on-one sessions. Schedule a one-on-one appointment online at TIAA.org/schedulenow-pitt.
Teledentistry Coverage through United Concordia Dental
United Concordia has provided information about teledentistry opportunities in the case of a dental emergency, including how teledentistry works and how to discuss the option with your dentist. To learn more, please review this PDF flier.
Updates for Supervisors, Administrators, and HR Liaisons
- December 3: Vacation Accrual Cap Continues to be Lifted
- May 29: Parking and Transportation - Parking Regulation Enforcement Resumes
- May 12: Virtual Form I-9 Verifications
- April 17: Employee Hiring Controls
- April 6: Onboarding and Managing New Hires Remotely
- April 1: Administration of Time for Regular Full- and Part-Time Staff
- March 31: Administration of Staff Volunteer Service
- March 30: Providing Work Opportunities for University Employees (memo from David DeJong)
- March 27: Guidelines for Responding to Symptomatic Individuals
- March 23: Mailing Services Update: Services and Procedures
- March 20: Guidance on paying students through end of spring term
- March 20: Supervisor tips and tools for motivating and engaging remote staff
- March 18: Parking update for essential staff, faculty, graduate students, and postdocs
- March 17: Supervisors’ Guide to Managing Remote Workers
- March 16: Update on hiring, orientation, and onboarding
- March 14: Continuity and availability of facilities and programs, resource sharing (from Ann Cudd and David DeJong)
- March 13: Guidance for supervisors on COVID-19 precautions, employee privacy, and sick leave
- March 12: OHR to begin working remotely on Monday, March 16
- March 11: Policy updates for Sick Leave and Remote Work Arrangements
- Additional Resources for Managers (via Pitt Passport)
- Modifying and Submitting a Timecard on Behalf of a Direct Report
Policy Updates and Employee Guidance
- April 9: Temporary Voluntary Sick Day Bank Policy and Procedure
- Modifying and Submitting a Timecard on Behalf of a Direct Report
- March 13: Guidance for supervisors on COVID-19 precautions, employee privacy, and sick leave
- March 11: Updates to Sick Leave and Remote Work Arrangements
- Policy reminder: A018 University-wide Closure and Class Cancellation
Updates from the Office of Human Resources
- December 3: Vacation Accrual Cap Continues to be Lifted
- August 10: Return to Campus Information from Staff (from David DeJong)
- July 20: Campus Arrival Details (from David DeJong)
- July 6: OHR Activity Area Plan
- July 1: Update to Staff: Plans for Safe Return to Campus (from David DeJong)
- May 12: Virtual Form I-9 Verifications
- April 17: Employee Hiring Controls
- March 18: COVID-19 Workplace Concerns: Resources for Employees (from David DeJong)
- March 16: Update on hiring, orientation, and onboarding
- March 13: Guidance for supervisors on COVID-19 precautions, employee privacy, and sick leave
- March 12: OHR to begin working remotely on Monday, March 16
- March 11: Update to staff about the University's operational state (from David DeJong)
- March 11: Policy updates for Sick Leave and Remote Work Arrangements
Updates from the Chancellor
- July 17: Resilience Framework July 17 Update
- June 30: Reinventing Our Operations to Keep the Pitt Community Safe and Healthy
- June 8: Update on Resiliency Planning
- May 29: Planning Process Check-in
- May 1: Planning for Fall 2020
- March 18: Additional Reductions in Pitt's Operating Status
- March 14: Update to faculty and staff about the University's operational state
- March 11: Pitt's actions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic