The Essential Personnel Program and Policy Has Changed 

  The main changes to the  policy  are as follows:

  1. Removal of tiered/level system. Employees will be designated simply as “essential”, and will be activated by their units/unit leaders depending on the emergency event, and according to whom is best-suited within their areas to perform particular tasks and roles/responsibilities to continue essential services, regardless of campus/site.
  2. Addition of language holding all areas/units accountable in maintaining current designations of essential personnel. Without timely updates of changes to designations, essential services may be delayed or not performed due to inaccurate personnel recall.
  3. New section on “Staffing Determinations During Suspension of Normal Operations and/or Cancellation of Classes”, to:
    1. Provide direction as to how essential personnel will be notified and what is expected of them regarding reporting to/remaining at work to continue essential services.
    2. Provide guidance regarding establishing identity as an essential person of the University to the relevant authorities, internal and external to FAU.
    3. New section “Unexcused Failure to Report to Work for Essential Personnel Duty” to include consequences of failure to report for reasons other than those that are included in the existing “Exceptions to Reporting for Essential Personnel Duty” section. This is in order for the University and unit leaders to determine how best to continue essential services, given the expertise they will have reporting for duty.

As a result of the changes highlighted above and others, main changes to the  program are as follows:

  1. Change to forms for FAU and Non-FAU Essential Employees to remove tier/level and campus assignment.
  2. Employees designated as essential will now receive a designation letter that includes the language of the policy. This is to be used in conjunction with any existing form of identification (driver’s license, etc.). This letter will replace the essential personnel card.

Essential Personnel

This program is governed by  University Policy 1.14 (Emergency Management)  and the  Essential Personnel Program Policy. In the event of severe weather conditions or emergency situations, the University may suspend normal operations and/or cancel classes. If this occurs, all units and employees deemed essential must remain at or report to their campuses as soon as conditions reasonably permit. During an emergency, Essential units and personnel provide services that relate directly to the health, safety, and welfare of the University, ensure continuity of critical/essential operations and functions, and maintain and protect University assets.  The designation of essential depends on an employee’s duties as well as the circumstances for suspension of normal operations. 

Example 1:  Buildings and Grounds employee. This employee will be essential for securing loose items on campus grounds, trimming trees and collecting and removing debris with regards to tropical cyclone preparation, response and recovery. 

Example 2:   An employee with a deadline responsibility. This employee may have the responsibility to perform a certain task on a certain day, such as payroll/timekeeping input. On the day this task must be performed, the employee may be essential. However, on any other day, the employee may not be essential. 

Example 3: University Police. This employee may be essential in all cases to ensure safety and protect life.  

Additions or deletions must be approved by the appropriate Dean or Director and the Provost’s Office or appropriate Vice-President by sending the email (with approvals through the parties listed) to mmascaro@fau.edu. Questions regarding the Essential Personnel program should be directed to the appropriate Dean or Director or to the Department of Human Resources.

How to Add/Remove Essential Personnel Status to an Employee

  1. Log into Workday https://www.myworkday.com/fau
  2. Locate the job aids icon on the home screen
  3. Under the HR(HCM) Area of Focus locate the “Workday Job Aid for Essential Personnel - New Version 4-15-19" Job aid and follow the instructions provided.

 

Training

Essential Personnel Training for Designated Employees: https://canvas.fau.edu/enroll/G8L4GH  

Training for Supervisors of Essential Personnel: https://canvas.fau.edu/enroll/HYMNP7  



 Last Modified 9/1/20