Skip to main content

Frequently Asked Questions About Working During COVID-19

The following principles and questions/answers are provided to help navigate through this unusual period of COVID-19.

Meaningful work is a fundamental human need and can help all employees feel more grounded in times of uncertainty.  At this unusual COVID-19 time, work is continuing as usual for some employees.  For many other employees, their normal work has vastly diminished and questions arise about what to do.  Supervisors are encouraged to be creative in identifying appropriate work for their employees at this time.  Possibilities include:

  • Backlogged projects
  • Documenting unit processes or workflows
  • Responding to audits or unit reviews
  • Retreat or department meeting planning
  • Cleaning and organizing work areas and on-line files
  • Updating policies and procedures
  • Performing research or preparing for future projects
  • Engaging in professional development activities (e.g., training options at training.byu.edu and careerdevelopment.byu.edu)

Frequently Asked Questions

Question:Is it okay for employees to work from home?
Answer:Yes. Supervisors have the discretion to allow employees to work from home.

Question:Can supervisors pay employees who are not working?
Answer:If employees cannot perform their normal duties, supervisors are encouraged to be creative in identifying alternative, meaningful work opportunities. However, employees should not be paid if they are not working, other than sick or vacation.

Question:What if my work location is closed or there is no other work to be assigned?
Answer:Supervisors are encouraged to be creative in identifying appropriate work opportunities. However, if there are no work opportunities available, full-time administrative and staff employees should take sick and/or vacation leave as appropriate.

Question:If a full-time administrative or staff employee has been told by the Health Department or BYU’s Risk Management Department to not come to work, or is caring for a family member living in the home who has been diagnosed with COVID-19, can the employee use sick leave?
Answer:Yes. However, if the employee is able to work, supervisors are encouraged to provide meaningful work from home options.

Question:Can a full-time administrative or staff employee use sick leave or vacation if caring for children due to school closures?
Answer:Yes.

Question:If a full-time administrative or staff employee is in a high-risk health category and needs to stay home, can sick leave be used?
Answer:Yes. However, if the employee is able to work, supervisors are encouraged to provide meaningful work-from-home options.

Question:How long will these temporary, COVID-19 guidelines be in effect?
Answer:These guidelines will remain in effect until additional information is provided by the university.