Coronavirus News Briefs: Job Protections

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Redwood Grove, abstract view
Abstract view of the Redwood Grove in the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden. (Gregory Urquiaga/UC Davis)

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UC President Janet Napolitano and all 10 chancellors collectively announced last Thursday (April 2) there will be no layoffs of career employees through the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020.

A UC news release stated: “Keeping staff employed with pay and health and welfare benefits during this period will allow UC employees to more effectively care for themselves and their families during unprecedented, challenging times.”

Napolitano and the chancellors made the announcement in an open letter to the UC community.

“While there may still be reductions in hours, and in some cases staff, as a part of our typical student and career employee summer staffing and clinical workforce adjustments, we are committed to doing our best to keep people earning a paycheck whenever possible,” they wrote.

“The university will also begin conversations with various employee groups to consider the conditions under which we may be able to extend this promise of job protection beyond June 30, should that be necessary.”

More information:

Working remotely, beyond April 7

When Chancellor Gary S. May suspended campus operations March 18, he advised that, “generally, employees should assume they will work from home through April 7, unless they hear otherwise from their managers.” Since he made his announcement, the state issued a stay-at-home order without an end date, and Yolo County extended its shelter-in-place order to May 1. Therefore, UC Davis’ current guidance to employees (except those who are designated): Expect to work remotely until hearing otherwise from your managers.

UC Davis Stores: Online only

UC Davis Stores has closed all of its locations, while maintaining website sales and TechHub repair service.

“We want our students, alumni, faculty, staff and the community to know that we are continuing our work in a safe manner to serve you,” officials said in advance of the closure last Friday (April 3).

“We are adding new products to our website every day and will continue to ship orders directly to you or make them available for pickup.”

The following special services are available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday:

  • TechHub repairs — Call 530-752-2204 for reservations.
  • Online order pickup — Call 530-752-7835 to confirm pickup time.

“We appreciate your patience and understanding during this difficult time,” officials said. “If you don’t see an item you are looking for on our website, or for any other questions, please use our contact form to quickly and easily reach specific departments within the store.”

VC Lubarsky on TV town hall

UC Davis Health will participate in a KCRA Channel 3 town hall, “Coronavirus: State of Care,” at 7 p.m. today (April 7), live on television and online.

David Lubarsky, vice chancellor of Human Health Sciences and CEO of UC Davis Health, will join other Northern California health care leaders at the town hall, answering questions about COVID-19 and how area hospitals are responding.

More information is available here. Click on the same link to watch the livestream.

Programs to help us through

Davis and Sacramento campus units have organized a number of remote programs to help staff and faculty through this disruptive time:

  • Career Resilience Webinar Series — This series from Staff Development and Professional Services began with Career Resilience in Turbulent Times (April 1) and continues this Thursday (April 8) with Modernize Your Resume. Five more programs are scheduled through April 27. All sessions, 10-11 a.m. Each program has a separate listing here (with Zoom information). Recordings of all sessions will be posted here.
  • Coping as a Community — Presented by the Office of Health Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at UC Davis Health, noon-1 p.m. every Thursday. In this week’s session, April 9: Andrés F. Sciolla, professor of clinical psychiatry, UC Davis Health, will discuss stress, trauma and resilience. Register here.
  • ShIP Mindfulness Meditation — “ShIP” stands for shelter in place, so you can participate wherever you are. 4:15 p.m. daily through Thursday (April 9), presented by the Staff and Faculty Health and Well-Being Program. Register here
  • Communicating in Uncertain Times — For staff and faculty, presented by the Ombuds Office. Register on the UC Learning System website: Click on "Find a Course" and search for the course title.
  • Monthly Meditation with Brenda Gustin — Normally held on the Sacramento campus, now virtual, at least for the next session: noon-1 p.m. Monday (April 13). This meditation program is suitable for beginners and those who already make meditation a daily practice. Register here.

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Media Resources

Dateline Staff, 530-752-6556, dateline@ucdavis.edu

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