APA Member Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
As of 5/11/2020
Question:
How will furloughs be determined?
Answer:
The recent Letter of Agreement (LOA) defines the criteria to be used when determining furloughs as the following:
The University can select based on operational needs or a temporary lack of work due to the COVID-19 pandemic in a work location. The classification of work within the unit is also a criteria. Determinations are made at the departmental level. Additionally, employees will be furloughed based on the following criteria:
- Temporary before permanent
- Probationary before non-probationary
- Full time with two “does not meet expectation” evaluations before those without two “does not meet expectations” evaluations
- Full time short term before long term
The recall process is the inverse of how the determinations are made for furlough.
The specific needs of the unit start the process. The goal being to keep people working in their current areas and not moving all over campus.
Question:
Is it correct that we cannot use vacation, sick, or personal time when we are notified of a furlough in order to get paid a full salary until it runs out?
Answer:
That is correct. Members cannot use accruals when they are placed on furlough. You will get a payout of your unused personal time for this year if you are furloughed prior to June 30, 2020. However, you do not have the option of getting a payout of your unused vacation and sick time when you are placed on furlough. This condition is intended to protect against the possibility that those payouts might compromise unemployment eligibility and to insure that upon your anticipated return to work you will have accruals to use should they be needed or wanted. Understand that the APA cannot guarantee that a particular individual will qualify for unemployment because there are a number of factors that go into that determination, but we have provided a list of FAQ’s related to unemployment that should answer questions that you may have about it.
Question:
Is the minimum 30-day furlough time 30 calendar days or 30 workdays?
Answer:
The minimum furlough time is 30 calendar days.
Question:
Will we be forced to take furlough, or will there be a percentage pay cut option similar to that given to executive management?
Answer:
There will not be a percentage pay cut option because such a plan would not address a lack of work which is the primary issue.
Question:
When will we know who will be furloughed?
Answer:
We do not know an exact timeline as the situation on the University side is still being decided. The LOA allows furloughs to start with 7-days notice and possibly as early as May 10, 2020. As that time frame is inside the 7-day notice it would be expected that members would either begin their furlough seven days after they are given notice or get paid in full for work during the seven day notice period if they are asked to stop reporting to work on May 10, 2020.
Question:
If I am notified of furlough how will that happen?
Answer:
The layoff process’ normal procedure, is for your unit to deliver the letter to our member in person. However, due to measures resulting from COVID-19, the notices are being delivered by email to ensure that members receive their letters in a timely manner.