COVID-19 Support for Academics

UCOP is offering all its employees, including represented employees, an additional 2021 allotment of Emergency Paid Sick Leave (EPSL) - available for use through September 30, 2021.

UCOP’s 2021 EPSL is available to employees who are unable to work or telework for the reasons below, which include those specified in the original EPSL provisions and a few additions:

• Reason 1: The employee is subject to a federal, state, or local quarantine or isolation order related to COVID 19.

• Reason 2: The employee has been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine due to concerns related to COVID-19.

• Reason 3:

a) The employee is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and is seeking a medical diagnosis from a health care provider;

b) The employee has been exposed to COVID-19 and is seeking or awaiting the results of a diagnostic test for, or a medical diagnosis of, COVID-19;

c) The University has requested that the employee obtain a diagnostic test for, or a medical diagnosis of, COVID-19, and the employee is seeking or awaiting those results;

d) The employee is obtaining immunization related to COVID-19; or

e) The employee is recovering from an injury, disability, illness, or condition related to obtaining immunization related to COVID-19.

• Reason 4: The employee is caring for an individual who is either subject to a federal, state, or local quarantine or isolation order related to COVID-19 or who has been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine due to concerns related to COVID-19.

• Reason 5: The employee is caring for their child whose school or place of care has closed (or whose child care provider is unavailable) for reasons related to COVID-19.

• Reason 6: The employee is experiencing any other substantially similar condition specified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Full-time employees may take up to 80 hours of EPSL, while those who are part-time may take up to the two-week equivalent. As before, employees will receive their regular rate of pay during EPSL. Please read the Frequently Asked Questions on page 2 of this document from UCOP if you need additional information, or contact your HR Business Partner.

Senate faculty can use leave or arrange for temporary workload modifications for caregiving purposes. Learn more

Senate faculty can request temporary duty modifications for COVID-related dependent care obligations. Learn more

For ladder-rank faculty with clear evidence of significant loss of research productivity due to COVID-19 (including the loss of childcare or other changes in family/personal obligations), such that they cannot earn a full-step advance, a half-step offset will be provided as a one-time measure so they receive a full-step advance or the equivalent thereof. Learn more

Ladder-rank faculty can request a one-semester or one-year extension of the tenure clock due to COVID-19 related disruptions including the loss of childcare or other changes in family/personal obligations. Learn more

Berkeley CareBubbles is a parent-to-parent resource to help UC Berkeley community members meet their child care needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Find other Cal families looking to trade childcare, share tutors, create bubbles, and more. Visit carebubbles.berkeley.edu for more information.

University Health Services Be Well at Work has a number of resources, including written materials and support groups for addressing work/life issues during COVID-19.

• Help and discounts for finding nannies, child care centers, tutors, etc., as well as information and resources (Please note that not all represented employees are eligible for this UCOP-sponsored program. Consult with your union representative for more information).
• Bright Horizons Family Resources for Life at Home.

The Bright Horizons back-up care program provides up to 80 hours for senate faculty to use when their regular child or adult/elder care is unavailable. Learn more

Berkeley Parents Network is a site for Bay Area parents to seek advice, exchange information, and make parent connections.

UC Berkeley's ECEP is expanding hours and capacity for the 2021-22 academic year.