Colleagues,
The following is an update on COVID-19 protocols initiated in March 2020 relating to office capacity, alternative work location (AWL) requests, travel and international visitors.
Update: Maximum percentage of employees onsite beginning June 1
- Continue current operations through May 31. Beginning June 1, all occupancy levels will be up to 75% or up to 100% with approval from the unit head. These levels may be updated as conditions warrant.
- By August 1, 2021, we fully anticipate returning to 100% staffing, as determined by pandemic conditions and business needs at that time.
- Units seeking to exceed maximum occupancy levels must consult with their executive leadership for approval. Measures to mitigate employee exposure will be discussed. Units should also advise Debi Fincher at the AgriLife Office of Ethics and Compliance.
- County Extension Offices should continue to follow their county’s continuity of operations plans. If such a plan does not exist, they may follow the AgriLife guidance.
Return to worksite plans
- Units are encouraged to continue transitioning employees back to their offices by implementing a return-to-worksite plan that includes the rotation of employees onsite.
- For assistance with return-to-worksite plans, supervisors may consult with AgriLife Human Resources.
Update: Alternative work location arrangements
- AWL arrangements made since March 20, 2020 due to COVID-19 protocols may be extended through May 31, 2021 with supervisor and unit head approval.
- If an employee or unit anticipates the AWL will remain in place beyond May 31, 2021, a long term request must be submitted through the formal request process which routes to AgriLife Human Resources prior to signature of final approver.
- Through May 31, 2021, unit heads may continue to approve short-term requests for remote work for employees whose work does not have to be performed onsite, in accordance with System Regulation 33.06.01.
- AWL requests are subject to supervisor AND unit head approval and must be based on appropriate job tasks that can effectively be performed remotely.
Update: Travel Guidance
- Extension agents under the supervision of a District Extension Administrator can travel in-county without prior approval. Extension agents planning out-of-county travel should submit the travel request form AG-802, approved by the immediate supervisor.
- While there are no in-state restrictions on travel, domestic travel will still need to be mission critical and approved prior to travel by the appropriate Dean/CEO/designee in Concur.
- In-state and domestic travel requests no longer route through the Foreign One Desk or Ethics & Compliance.
- International travel essential to the mission of the university will be permitted at the discretion of the CEO/Dean or their designee. All such travel must be routed through Concur for Ethics & Compliance review, risk mitigation and subsequent recommendation to the CEO for approval.
- Approval and Routing:
- Route all travel requests through Concur to obtain approvals.
- Requests will route automatically; departments have pre-loaded Concur workflows.
- For routing requiring VP/Dean approval, these individuals can be added to the workflow during the submission or approval process within Concur.
Update: International Visitors
All international visitors to campus, including those invited for job interviews, should adhere to current CDC guidance:
- If you have been vaccinated, travelers must test negative within three days prior to travel or returning to the United States, and test again three to five days after return.
- If you are not vaccinated, test within three days of return to the United States; test three to five days after return, self-isolate for seven days (regardless if you test negative).
- International visitors should ensure they have appropriate insurance coverage if they get sick. Departments/hosts should consider including providing testing on campus or within the community, if possible.
For questions, please email AgrilifeHR@ag.tamu.edu or call (979) 845-2423.
Thank you,
Patrick
Patrick J. Stover, Ph.D.
Vice Chancellor, Texas A&M AgriLife
Dean, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Director, Texas A&M AgriLife Research
