COVID
The Carolina community has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic with resilience and creativity, finding ways to continue to educate our students, conduct world-class research and maintain the operations of the University despite the limitations of the past couple of years. The information below provides guidance on COVID-19-related accommodations, health information and community standards.
Workplace Considerations
The well-being of our community remains a top priority, and we are committed to maintaining a safe workplace for everyone. We can all contribute to the health and safety of our workplace by following the basic guidelines outlined below.
Vaccine Requirement
There is a federal COVID-19 vaccine requirement that applies to all employees working on or in connection with a federal contract or who work in the same location as employees working on a federal contract. To complete your vaccine certification, please log in to the COVID-19 Vaccine Certification form on the EHS site. Information about requesting a medical or religious exemption can be found on the Equal Opportunity and Compliance website.
Booster
The CDC has recommended a booster dose for everyone who is eligible, including those who are moderately or severely immunocompromised. Employees can attest to receiving their booster on the COVID-19 Vaccine Certification form.
Vaccine Sites
Faculty and staff can receive the COVID-19 vaccine at the Campus Health Pharmacy in the Student Stores for free. Appointments are preferred but walk-ins are welcome. Faculty and staff can find other vaccine sites around the state on the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services website.
Asking about vaccination status
Asking about vaccination status violates an employee’s privacy. If someone chooses to reveal vaccination status, that is their choice. Be mindful of sharing your vaccination status, especially if you are a supervisor as doing so may create a perceived expectation that others should reveal their status as well.
At-home tests
The federal government has made at-home tests available, so you can sign up for COVID test delivery to your household. In addition, the North Carolina State Health Plan will cover the cost of an at-home test kit if you show your State Health Plan ID card at the pharmacy and the cost of at-home tests purchased at other stores or online will be reimbursed for plan holders.
While at-home COVID tests can be a valuable tool, it is important to follow the instructions provided in the test exactly to get a credible result. UNC Health has provided helpful tips on how to best choose and use an at-home test.
- The Heels Care Network at care.unc.edu makes mental health resources at Carolina easier to locate and access. Find training, get 24/7 crisis support or refer a friend for help — all in one place.
- The Employee Assistance Plan is a confidential counseling and resource program that is designed to help University employees and their families deal with both personal and work-related concerns.
- Work/Life & Wellness pages of the HR at UNC website offer extensive information on various wellness programs and resources available to employees
Accommodations & Flexibility
The University is conducting regular site operations. However, we understand there are individual circumstances that may call for accommodations or flexibility. We encourage supervisors, staff and colleagues to approach each other with understanding, care and compassion. The mechanisms in place to address exceptions and workplace flexibility are outlined below.
Flexible schedule special requests due to childcare and other situations created by the pandemic
Managers have discretion to authorize a variety of flexible work arrangements, as outlined in the Flexible Work Arrangements for University Employees policy.
- For teleworking arrangements of 30 calendar days or less in duration, see the Short-term (30 days or less) Teleworking Requests section of the Flexible Work Arrangements for University Employees webpage).
- Teleworking arrangements that will exceed 30 calendar days in duration will be determined by a unit-wide assessment and plan made by the Dean or Vice Chancellor and approved by the Chancellor or designee, rather than by individual request, except in specific limited circumstances, such as an approved ADA accommodation.
Managers should review the Flexible Work Arrangements policy for details and further requirements.
Benefits & Leave