Return to On-Campus Work

Return to On-Campus Work

Given the initial uncertainties related to the COVID-19 Pandemic, remote work was a necessary option to address student, faculty and staff health concerns while continuing to provide needed campus services. However, it is the University’s goal to return to near normal operations for the Fall 2021 semester and to have staff return to regular work hours on campus by Monday, May 3. The University remains committed to the health and safety of our campus community. The COVID-19 protocols will remain in effect across campus until further notice.

Please contact your manager/supervisor with any questions regarding your work schedule. For further information, please refer to the list of Frequently Asked Questions provided by the Office of Human Resources, as well as a list of Safety and Health Guidelines for returning to campus provided by the Office of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety.

Remote Work as an Accommodation for a Disability or Underlying Medical Condition.

Individuals who wish to request remote work as a reasonable accommodation due to their own disability or underlying condition should contact the YSU Manager of Benefits, Stacey Luce, seluce@ysu.edu for more information and/or to begin the interactive process. Remote work is not a reasonable accommodation due to the health condition of family member or as a substitute for dependent care. Remote work accommodation requests can only be approved through the Human Resources Office of Benefits.

  • Can an Employee work remotely while quarantining or awaiting COVID-19 Test Results? An employee who is quarantining due to travel, possible COVID-19 exposure or while awaiting test results, may be approved by their manager for remote work if the employee can fully perform the functions/duties of their job remotely. If an employee’s position does not allow for their job functions/duties to be performed remotely, the employee is required to request and utilize appropriate sick leave.
  • Should leave be used for COVID-19 quarantine, symptoms, or care? Yes, accrued sick leave must be utilized if an employee is unable to work due to COVID-19 quarantine, symptoms, or care. Please refer to the Safety and Health Guidelines for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • My supervisor told me I am required to come to campus to work, what if I’m not comfortable coming to campus?

    It is understandable that after over a year of remote work you may feel uncomfortable about working on campus. However, offices/units across campus have developed return to campus health and safety plans for their areas in coordination with Employee Occupational Health and Safety (EOHS). These Return to Campus Plans (RTC Plans) utilized current health and safety guidance from local, state and federal agencies in order to provide a safe work environment.

  • Why can’t I continue to work remotely?

    Initially and in order to comply with the directives of Governor DeWine and the Ohio Department of Health, the University transitioned employees to remote work. However, the University’s goal is to return to a near normal operations and work schedule prior to the Fall semester. Access to and interactions with staff is part of a vibrant campus and benefits the campus community.

  • I have my own separate office or work area, who will clean my office/workspace?

    General janitorial services will be provided in public areas such as bathrooms, lounges, lobbies and hallways. Janitorial services will also continue to empty trash and vacuum/clean floors of personal offices. Otherwise, the cleaning/disinfecting of your personal office or work area remains your responsibility. Offices or work units will be provided with cleaning material through EOHS.

  • What if I refuse or someone in my area refuses to comply with University return to work guidelines or established practices?

    The return to work guideline and safety practices are in place to protect the entire YSU community. Unless you have received a written exception to a guideline[s] from the EOHS office, you are required to comply with the established guidelines and practices applicable to you and your work area. Failure to comply places the YSU community at risk and will be addressed as a discipline/corrective action issue.

    If a guest or visitor refuses to comply with University guidelines or practices, the YSU Police Department should be contacted at 330-941-3527.

  • This is all very stressful. Where can I get help?

    While the physical health of employees is a top priority, the mental and emotional well-being of us all in these stressful and uncertain times is equally important. IMPACT Solutions, YSU’s employee assistance program, offers online resources, telephonic counseling and one-on-one counseling sessions. Employee should call 1-800-227-6007 or access www.myimpactsolution.com (member login: ysu).

Safety and Health Guidelines

  1. Stay Home If You Are Sick. Daily health assessments should be performed before coming to work. This should include checking for COVID-19 symptoms. 
  2. Practice Social Distancing. Ensure an appropriate physical distance is maintained while on campus.
  3. Frequently Clean and Disinfect Work Areas. General janitorial services will be provided in public areas such as bathrooms, lounges/lobbies, and hallways. Faculty and staff must be responsible for their personal workspaces. Appropriate cleaning and disinfecting is dependent on the work area. CDC recommends disinfecting high touch surfaces multiple times throughout the workday.
  4. Practice Good Health Hygiene. Regularly wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer. Cover coughs and sneezes with tissue and wear face coverings to reduce the transmission of droplets to others.
  5. Face coverings are required at all times within campus buildings except when working alone within an enclosed area. Any employee who feels an exemption to this requirement is warranted should request approval from their supervisor. Rationale and approval will be documented and forwarded to EOHS.

More Information