UW–Madison is expanding the COVID-19 paid leave benefit to support impacted employees through May 1. This provides additional paid leave if an employee is unable to work due to COVID-19 related issues, including the inability to work remotely. The COVID-19 leave is no longer limited to a certain number of hours.

In addition, any unused vacation carryover balance will not expire this year as it typically would on June 30 (for faculty, Academic Staff, and limited appointments) or December 31 (for University Staff). Instead, vacation carryover balances will remain available for an additional year until June 30, 2021 or December 31, 2021, respectively.

Please see the full revised COVID-19 Pandemic Employee Work Location and Leave Policy for details, and contact your supervisor or your local human resources office with any questions.

Employees who are eligible for COVID-19 leave must enter any COVID-19 leave correctly in order to receive this emergency paid leave. COVID-19 leave can be entered from any location using a computer or mobile device and an internet connection. Go to MyUW and click on the “Time and Absence” module. Use the Timesheet to enter the COVID-19 leave, and be sure to use the correct Time/Absence Code based on your employment type. If you need assistance, contact your local human resources contact or your supervisor. A link to online instructions is provided below.

A new website, Organizational Effectiveness at a Distance, is now available to the campus community. The site, developed by the Office of Strategic Consulting, provides a collection of resources to help employees work remotely. It includes information on running effective virtual meetings, supervising staff from afar, and making decisions online, as well as other tips for staying productive and staying well. Explore this collection of resources at strategicconsulting.wisc.edu.

Payroll deductions for parking permits, bus passes, and other transportation-related services are suspended until campus resumes normal operations. The suspension became effective March 23. Individuals who paid in full will receive adjusted refunds for the time campus is partially closed. Please keep your permit and/or bus pass and do not return it to Transportation Services if you will need to use it prior to August 31, 2020. Learn more at transportation.wisc.edu.

Learning and Talent Development is offering a variety of virtual learning opportunities that can help employees respond to these challenging times. Professional development is offered in personal resiliency, navigating change, and managing stress at work. In addition, a two-part series is offered for supervisors on supervising remotely. Some sessions have openings as early as next week, so prompt registration is encouraged. These free sessions are open to all UW-Madison employees. Visit go.wisc.edu/a1622a for details.