As a result of the on, going COVID-19 pandemic, there have been updates to work and leave provisions, health benefits, and other HR items. Please consult this webpage for the most up-to-date information.
Page updated Jan. 13, 2021.
Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)
The federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) was enacted in March 2020 to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the U.S. community. It includes two acts that apply to the University and provide paid leave benefits to University employees.
Leave benefits provided under this federal program ended on Dec. 31, 2020. For more information on the prior benefits provided, visit the FFCRA webpage.
If I continue to have child care/elder care issues, what options are available to me?
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Employees are encouraged to talk with their supervisor about potential options for teleworking or flexing their work schedules to meet child care and elder care needs.
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With supervisor approval, employees can use vacation, sick and bonus leave to account for time not worked.
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Employees can also request to change from the 24 hours of regular Community Service Leave to the 36 hours of Literacy, Tutoring, and Mentoring Community Service Leave (CSL) to support children in a virtual or partially in-person academic setting. Complete the Community Service Leave (CSL) for Literacy, Tutoring, Mentoring Request Form to request this option.
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If they have exhausted all their leave, the COVID-19 Leave Bank is another option. More details on how to apply will be released soon on the Human Resources website.
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In addition, employees are encouraged to reach out to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for resources to address child/elder care issues.
If I am subject to a quarantine, isolation or exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19 and is awaiting a diagnosis, what options are available to me?
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Employees should continue to complete the daily Niner Health Check. Based on their responses, employees will be given instructions.
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They may also apply for consideration of Paid Administrative Leave (PAL). Reference the section below for more detail.
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Employees who exhaust all available leave, including their own leave accruals and any PAL granted, may contact the Benefits Office at Benefits@uncc.edu, 704-687-8134 to request consideration for the COVID-19 Shared Leave Bank.
COVID-19 Paid Administrative Leave (PAL)
- As of Jan. 1, 2021, employees may receive limited COVID-19 paid administrative leave under the following conditions:
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The employee is subject to a quarantine or isolation order, or has been advised to self-quarantine by a health care provider or public health official.
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The employee was exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19 and is awaiting a diagnosis.
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Complete the Paid Administrative Leave (PAL) Request Form to apply.
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Please note, use of this COVID-19 Paid Administrative Leave for the purposes listed above is cumulative from March 16, 2020, through March 31, 2021. If an employee used FFCRA emergency paid sick leave in 2020 for any of the reasons listed above, then those hours must be deducted from any remaining paid administrative leave granted.
COVID-19 Shared Leave Bank
UNC Charlotte created a “leave bank” so employees can donate leave to colleagues who cannot work due to an eligible COVID-19-related reason and have exhausted their available leave.
The COVID-19 Shared Leave Bank has been extended until March 31, 2021. Details on how to apply for leave through the bank for 2021 will be released later in January. Reference COVID-19 Leave Bank webpage for additional details.
Interchangeability of Leave
The interchangeability of leave has been extended to March 31, 2021. Employees may use accrued sick leave, vacation leave, and bonus leave interchangeably because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Please note, this provision does not allow interchangeability of leave usage in regard to the leave options provided in state policy for retirement, transfer, or separation. For example, as an employee approaches their retirement date, they cannot use sick leave as terminal leave, but they can use their vacation leave in accordance with state OSHR vacation policy.
Expanded Community Service Leave (CSL)
Because of the pandemic, the UNC System Office has allowed for several modifications to CSL to be extended to March 31, 2021, including COVID-19 related service activity and tutoring and mentoring. For more information, visit the changes to CSL webpage.
State Health Plan
For the most recent coronavirus updates from the State Health Plan, please visit their website.
