Coronavirus update: April 30, 2020 - 5:00 p.m.

April 30, 2020

It’s amazing to think that 100 days ago, B.C.’s Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry provided a first warning regarding what was then being called the Novel Coronavirus. What a journey it has been for our community. Thank you as always for your continued efforts!

In today’s update:

  • Compensation and Employment Continuity
  • September Schedule Update

Compensation and Employment Continuity

Roughly five weeks ago I wrote to you regarding B.C.’s approach to compensation and employment continuity in the wake of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. At that time the provincial government provided guidance to ensure wage continuity through to the end of April wherever possible. I’m providing an update today to let you know that we have received updated guidance from the provincial government that will help us in our decision-making processes regarding staffing, while at the same time reflecting the fact that circumstances are changing and will continue to do so in the coming weeks and months.

We are working with our unions in a collaborative nature to ensure we can keep as many people as meaningfully employed as possible. We have several principles guiding us, including the following:

  • Maximizing the productive use of workers and resources.
  • Where possible, maintaining business continuity in anticipation of the resumption of safe operations when the Provincial Health Officer’s (PHO) guidelines allow.
  • Operating within existing short- and long-term financial parameters.
  • Ensuring workplaces are compliant with the Provincial Health Officer’s guidance and WorkSafeBC requirements.
  • Working with unions, bargaining agents, and other employers to identify opportunities including job sharing, and redeployment opportunities.
  • Considering plans that allow a continued relationship with employees and resumption of safe operations if business continuity cannot be maintained and reduced staffing levels are temporarily required.
  • Ensuring a ‘no surprises’ approach to staffing level changes.

So what does this mean for UNBC’s approach? As an essential service and one of Canada’s best small research-intensive universities, we have a mission to continue offering an exceptional post-secondary experience for our students while continuing to conduct research that has a global impact. As a result, we are encouraging all managers and supervisors to find meaningful, productive work and projects for their teams to ensure we keep people working. Be creative – tackle that project that you’ve never had time to take on, or start thinking about processes we might need to consider in the post-COVID world. I know our faculty are working diligently to continue the development of online options for their courses and teaching, which is a massive undertaking.

If we reach a point where no work remains for specific employees, we will first develop redeployment options. Many of our staff have transferable skills and knowledge that could provide great value in another unit. If we get to a point where we can’t find work for certain employees, we’ll work with them based on the principles noted above. We can use vacation banks, leaves and other measures to ensure financial ramifications for our employees are as limited as possible.

We’ll determine staffing level plans going forward, in compliance with the Provincial Health Office direction, as well as WorkSafeBC regulations, to continue to ensure safe working environments.

We are all operating in an unprecedented time and doing our best to keep the people of this province safe and healthy. I am sure this hasn’t been easy for many of you, but I know that through honest conversation, collaboration and determination we can meet the challenges we are facing and emerge stronger in the future.

September Schedule Update

UNBC, like every other post-secondary institution around the globe, is grappling with making adjustments in how we approach future semesters due to the ongoing impacts of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We are reviewing our September class schedule to ensure that it will best suit the needs of UNBC students. We are doing that with the mindset of adhering to direction provided by the Provincial Health Officer, various ministries, and public health agencies regarding physical distancing.

As a result, we are delaying the release of the Fall and Winter schedule; we hope to have more to share in the coming days but know we are working on all options to ensure the most successful Fall term for our students, faculty and staff. Please visit our Coronavirus (COVID-19) website often for updates, as we want UNBC students to have the crucial information you need for a successful Fall 2020 registration.

As always I am ever thankful for the commitment being shown by our students, faculty, and staff in dealing with this unprecedented scenario. I know how hard this is and that there have been challenges but I thank you for your patience as we work together to find solutions as the UNBC community. Please continue to visit our Coronavirus (COVID-19) website, follow UNBC on social media, and continue to send your questions to unbccommand@unbc.ca.

Stay safe!

Geoff Payne,
UNBC Interim President and Vice-Chancellor

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