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 the Office of Public Safety and Emergency Management website for all information regarding COVID-19, as well as general health and safety guidelines.
Quick Resources:
Updates for All Faculty and Staff
- 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
Updates for Supervisors, Administrators, and HR Liaisons
- March 31: Administration of Staff Volunteer Service
- March 27: Guidance for Supervisors: Suspected or Confirmed Case of COVID-19
- 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
Updates from the Office of Human Resources
- 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
Additional Resources
If You Are Feeling Ill
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 June 15, UPMC is waiving all member cost-sharing, including deductibles or copayments, for all in-network virtual health care visits with UPMC's telehealth providers.
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.
Connecting Parents and Families
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
- Access the group directly via this link (accessible via Pitt Passport)
- If the direct link does not work:
- Visit https://www.yammer.com/pitt.edu/
- If you have never logged into Yammer, enter your Pitt email and follow the confirmation details that are delivered to your inbox.
- If you have logged into Yammer previously, select “Log In” and sign in via Pitt Passport.
- After logging in, select “Discover more groups” in the left-side navigation.
- 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.
Health Care, Dependent Care, Parking, and Mass Transit Flexible Spending Accounts
The Benefits Department is temporarily allowing the suspension of Health Care, Dependent Care, Parking, and Mass Transit Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) effective April 1, 2020 due to closures caused by COVID-19. If you would like to temporarily suspend your elections for one, some, or all of these particular FSAs:
- Fill out the status change form detailing that you are unable to use the funds due to closures related to COVID-19.
- Fill out the appropriate benefits election form, and ensure that the appropriate FSA in which you would like to suspend displays a $0 (zero dollar) value.
- Select the benefits election form appropriate for your employment type at the University.
- Submit an inquiry to the Benefits Department to start the submission procession (once you are contacted by a Benefits representative, you will be able to submit your completed forms).
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 suspended entirely in order to stop payroll deductions. You must re-enroll in these accounts should you wish to use them in the future.