The University is discontinuing the development, review, and approval of Return to Campus Plans (research, academic, and administrative). They will no longer be required as of Friday, June 11, 2021. Instead, departments and labs will be responsible for reviewing, approving, and maintaining on-site staffing, and submitting all changes directly to University Human Resources (UHR). Please note that on-site work by essential research visitors, and field research by Brown faculty, students and staff still require University review as described on the Resuming Research website.

While the University’s asymptomatic testing program is in place, departments should submit changes to on-site staffing directly to University Human Resources using the attached, updated essential designation spreadsheet and send it to [email protected]edu. 

In order to provide and maintain a safe work environment, Brown will require COVID-19 vaccinations of all employees (faculty, staff, postdoctoral scholars, visiting researchers, lecturers, and seasonal and intermittent staff) working at any Brown owned, leased or managed premises and/or engaging in any in-person work with other Brown employees, students, or visitors for the fiscal year 2022 (July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022). This policy is based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”), the Occupational Health and Safety Agency (“OSHA”), the Rhode Island Department of Health (“RIDOH”), and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”).

All employees must either 1) provide proof that they have received a full course of a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) or World Health Organization (“WHO”) authorized COVID-19 vaccine or 2) obtain a medical or religious exemption approved by Brown with a reasonable accommodation. The process for requesting an accommodation for either medical reasons or based on a sincerely held religious belief, practice or observance is set forth below. Employees who do not fulfill one of these two requirements will be placed on leave without pay, family and medical leave, or other employment status, and their status will be evaluated periodically.

All vaccination records will be stored confidentially in Workday and can be loaded via the Vaccine Management link in the Benefits app on your Workday landing page. For more information regarding uploading your vaccination card to Workday, please visit this online guide. Employees may also email a pdf or jpeg to [email protected]. If submitting via email, please use Virtru to email it securely. All vaccination records will be stored confidentially in Workday and can be loaded via the Vaccine Management link in the Benefits app on your Workday landing page.

Eligible employees who have submitted proof of COVID-19 vaccination in Workday can earn $50 toward 2021 Wellness Rewards. Wellness Rewards is the voluntary wellness incentive program designed to help faculty and staff maintain and improve their overall well-being. Additionally, for those needing sick time to support their vaccine recovery, Brown will credit up to two sick days (up to one per each vaccination day), as needed. Credit for time off will be updated once per month upon updating your vaccine status in Workday.

After a successful Staff Voluntary Retirement Program (SVRP) that concluded in 2020, Brown University has established phase two of the SVRP. This second phase of the program offers eligible staff the choice of collecting a retirement incentive and departing the University on one of three potential retirement dates in 2021. The program reflects the University's ongoing commitment to maintaining the job continuity of Brown’s workforce to the best extent possible while also implementing strategies to maintain Brown’s short- and long-term financial stability. 

All employees will be offered a paid day off on Friday, May 7, 2021, and a second paid day off will be offered in August, date to be determined. As a reminder, Summer Hours have been approved to begin on Tuesday, June 1, 2021, and continue through Friday, August 13, 2021. Departments and offices implement summer hours based on operational needs.

Brown’s first responsibility as an employer is the safety of our faculty and staff, our students and our community. As such, we are taking all necessary precautions as we bring more individuals back to work on campus. We are requesting all employees who have had the opportunity to receive an FDA-approved vaccination against COVID-19 to provide verification of receipt of vaccination by uploading the completed vaccination card received from your vaccination provider.

The annual performance appraisal process for 2020-2021 will be launched to managers on March 1. To actively participate, take the important first step of completing your self-appraisal. Self appraisals allow you to reflect on your accomplishments and challenges and determine where you might need professional development. The form is available in Workday; please visit Workday Learning to view the job aid "Completing a Self Appraisal."

Effective Feb. 4, 2021, the University will require students, faculty and staff who may have been exposed to COVID-19 to quarantine for a period of 10 days from the date of last known exposure. At the end of the 10-day period, if the individual has no symptoms of COVID-19, they will be allowed to resume normal activities on campus, including routine asymptomatic COVID-19 testing. All policies and guidance related to quarantine on campus will be updated to reflect this decision.

The 2021 Child Care Subsidy for Faculty, Staff, and Postdoctoral Research Associates will be enhanced to include dependents in the sixth grade and below, for a duration of six months from January 1-June 30, 2021. Employees who meet all eligibility criteria are encouraged to apply for a prorated award, which will be retroactive to January 2021 and will end on June 30, 2021. 

Student Employment will be holding open office hours via zoom on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1pm-2pm. Student Employment representatives will be available to answer questions and provide assistance with student processes in Workday. Zoom link to join: https://brown.zoom.us/j/91368048468