From Kristi Darr, University Human Resources:
As supervisors begin to develop and finalize their plans for safely returning individuals to their workplace over the summer and leading up to the fall semester, we recognize there are members of our campus community who are, or who live with someone who is, at a higher risk to develop severe illness from COVID-19 based on their age or underlying medical conditions, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). In order to best support these individuals in limiting their exposure to COVID-19 during this phase of increasing campus operations, we have developed a process to confidentially review and discuss potential options in order for them to safely perform their job duties or responsibilities. This process applies specifically to Faculty, Professional and Scientific (P&S) and Merit employees as well as graduate assistants, postdoctoral scholars and student workers.
The current guidance provided by the CDC defines individuals at high-risk for severe illness from COVID-19 as:
- 65 years and older
- Living in a nursing home or long-term care facility
- With underlying medical conditions, particularly if not well controlled, including:
- Chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma
- Serious heart conditions
- Immunocompromised
- Severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 40 or higher)
- Diabetes
- Chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis
- Liver disease
If you meet one or more of the above-defined risk factors, or live with someone that meets one or more of the above risk factors, you may submit a request for an alternative work arrangement, which is a way for an individual to safely perform their work responsibilities in a manner that reduces their risk of exposure to COVID-19. The request is submitted electronically through the COVID-19 High Risk Alternative Work Arrangement portal located on the UHR COVID-19 website. Additional resources related to this process are available on the website.