UW Facilities Employee Newsletter November/December 2020

COVID-19 Prevention Plan updates
Stay up to date with the UW Facilities COVID-19 Prevention Plan. Recent updates include a revised definition of what “close contact” means, a new hazard assessment form and revised BSD procedures regarding training occupancy. Contact Tracey Mosier with questions.

Support for working families
The surge of COVID-19 cases and winter’s arrival creates new challenges for our employee caregivers. Holidays, school breaks and illness may force employees to adjust their caregiving plans. The UW now has a new web page with links to resources for child and family care during COVID-19.

Voluntary furlough extensions
The deadline to submit employees who want to extend their voluntary furlough is Monday, Dec. 21. Submit all extensions to your Employee Relations Manager and Katie Savoie.

Unemployment payments by Employment Security Department (ESD) currently extend through 26 weeks only. ESD does not know if this will be extended either federally or at a state level. Employees on voluntary furlough will continue to accrue leave time and be paid for all UW holidays.

Prepare for tax season in Workday
Ensure your year-end tax documents are accurate and delivered on time. Verify your mailing address in Workday by Thursday, Dec. 31. You can also opt out of paper forms.

Safety and well-being
This month’s UW Environmental Health & Safety newsletter has helpful information about COVID-19 safety during the holidays and walking safely on wet, icy and slippery surfaces.

Eating and drinking with co-workers? Follow these guidelines from UWF Safety, including going outside and eating individually packaged food.

Burnout can catch us off guard. Learn how to identify the signs and how you can get back to the person you want to be in this article: Are you a different person now than pre-COVID?

Training updates
The Stepping Stones for Success Cohort for Building Services will resume in late January, this time by Zoom. Contact Sarah Lewis-Assink (206-221-6110) to learn more.

Don’t forget your online training! Keep an eye out for email from the UWF Training Center with notifications of any outstanding or upcoming online trainings you need to take.
 

Welcome to our newest employees: Painters Benjamin Davis and Gerald Craig, Media Maintenance Tech Justin Braegelmann, Carpenter Nathaniel Johnson and Control Technician Lou Nelson.

Congratulations to the following recently promoted employees: Jasean Burke and Michael Wilson, both Power Plant Operating Engineer 2; Chris Severns, Electrician Lead; Raymond Shell, Power Plant Mechanical Lead; and Steven Vasquez, Sheet Metal Mechanic Lead.

Thank you and a fond farewell to recent retirees Rich Herrick (35 years), Joles Tahara (28 years), Amine Kinfu (24 years) and Reed Keeney (16 years). Read about all arrivals and departures in October and November.