UC ANR reopening guidelines – effective July 1, 2021
As previously announced, all UC ANR locations should be preparing to fully reopen effective July 1, 2021. With that said, we assume a gradual return to operations at most ANR workplaces. For the near future, there will still be safety protocols in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. All employees are encouraged to review the UC ANR Reopening Guidelines for more information regarding vaccination policy, safety protocols and flexible work guidelines that will guide our return to workplaces on July 1 and beyond.
Current safety protocols and proposed changes
- Many current safety protocols remain in place, including symptom monitoring, reporting COVID-19 cases, cleaning/disinfection of workplaces, travel guidance, prevention training, and more.
- Pending Cal/OSHA approval, new protocols may stipulate that vaccinated employees will no longer need to wear masks at work and 6-foot physical distancing from others will no longer be required.
- UC ANR locations will update their current safety plans to include these revised protocols.
- If approved by Cal/OSHA and the Governor, these revised protocols will be phased in by June 28, 2021, or sooner.
In the meantime, employees must still wear masks and maintain distance while working indoors and wear masks while working outdoors when it is not possible to maintain 6-feet distance from others. As these revised standards are implemented, employees must continue to wear masks until they have responded to the COVID-19 Vaccine Tracking Status Survey and provided documentation that they are fully vaccinated (due July 15).
It is important to note that state and local public health orders, regulatory standards, and UC policies continue to change, UC ANR's guidelines will be further revised as necessary to accurately reflect these changes.
UC ANR's new flexible work arrangement guidelines
After more than a year of remote work and having had the opportunity to assesses associated benefits, many UC ANR employees are increasingly seeking flexible work arrangements that would provide opportunities to (1) work remotely from home or another location within California that is outside of their official post of duty, and/or (2) work flexible hours that vary from the traditional “8 to 5.”
That said, the success of UC ANR's research and extension work and related outcomes relies upon building and maintaining trusted relationships within our communities. The majority of UC ANR's research and programmatic work takes place at our local offices or in public locations and is executed in-person. While we have all made remote-work adjustments, many of which will change the way we deliver our work indefinitely, successfully delivering UC ANR's research and extension mission still necessitates in-person connectivity.
UC ANR is exploring ways to advance its goals, promote efficiency and help employees balance work and personal responsibilities through the use of flexible work schedules when possible. New Flexible Work Guidelines have been developed to help managers and employees evaluate and approve individual positions for flexible work arrangements.
Employees wishing to have a flexible work arrangement after UC ANR reopens on July 1, 2021, must have an approved Flexible Work Agreement on file with HR no later than September 30, 2021.
It is important for managers and employees to know that flexible work options are possibilities, not guarantees. Not all positions lend themselves to flexible work arrangements; moreover, agreements for flexible work can be modified or revoked in accordance with the programmatic and business needs of UC ANR.
UC ANR's flexible work protocols are being implemented on a trial basis. UC ANR will routinely evaluate the Flexible Work Guidelines over the next 12 months to determine efficacy and may alter or rescind any or all of the posted protocols at any time.
For any questions regarding UC ANR's Flexible Work Guidelines, contact your supervisor or humanresources@ucanr.edu.
Glenda Humiston
Vice President