Office of Human Resources to work remotely starting March 16

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in an abundance of caution, the Office of Human Resources is working remotely as of Monday, March 16, 2020 and continuing until further notice.

This change means that Craig Hall will not be open to the public, and walk-ins will not be accepted.

Form I-9 processing and verifications are being conducted virtually. If you need to complete Form I-9 verification, please review this announcement to learn how to schedule an appointment.

During this time, OHR will continue to accept HR-related inquiries during regular business hours of 8:00 am – 5:00 pm via our online web form and phone:

  • Online: Submit an inquiry
  • Call General OHR Customer Support: 412-624-7000, option 3
  • Call the Benefits Department: 833-852-2210

Please check back; we will continue to make updates to this page as necessary.


For all updates related to the University’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit www.emergency.pitt.edu/covid-19.

In addition, encourage your staff and faculty to sign up for emergency notification alerts. The University’s Emergency Notification Service (ENS) will be used to communicate with subscribers through voice, text and email messages, as deemed appropriate in the event of an emergency.


Additional Information and Resources

If You Are Feeling Ill: MyHealth@Work Center & UPMC AnywhereCare

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. UPMC is currently waiving all member cost-sharing, including deductibles or copayments, for all in-network virtual health care visits with UPMC's telehealth providers through August 31, 2021.

COVID-19 testing and treatment at no cost for UPMC Health Plan members

Through October 20, 2021, 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.

Visit this page for more information about terminating your FSAs, instructions on how to terminate your FSAs, and an FAQ.

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:

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

  • 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.

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.