Everyone who can work from home, should. We encourage you to bring home everything you need on short notice – files, monitors, laptops, etc.  You should consult with your manager if you have questions. If you have files with sensitive or confidential information, please review the Information Security Policy website, and speak with your manager on ways to handle private and confidential information remotely if you have questions.

Related Harvard University Coronavirus FAQ:  Employees and Workforce: Can employees work remotely?

Additional Resources:
Harvard Coronavirus: Work Remotely
Information Security Policy

Strategic Procurement has developed guidance for invoice and payment processing, expense report processing, and CITI card usage in order to minimize disruption to payment processes. Accounts Payable has closed the Cash Receipts Office until further notice and has issued guidance on processing cash, checks, and credit vouchers during this time. Learn more about these important Accounts Payable guidelines. The SLA has been extended to 5-7 days for processing payments.

The Central Payroll and Nonresident Alien Tax Compliance teams have made operational changes for payroll time entry/approval, paper check distribution, form I-9 collection, nonresident alien onboarding, and glacier tax compliance. See the Office of the Controller website. As of March 24, 2020, the form I-9, available on the Central Payroll website, will now allow an electronic signature and the verification process now has increased flexibility for administrators.

Related Harvard University Coronavirus FAQs: Work Remotely - Financial Matters

Additional Resources:
AP Operations Guidance
Office of the Controller
Central Payroll and I-9 Guidance
Travel Operations Guidance
Guidance Regarding I-9 Collection during COVID-19

To help departments track Coronavirus/COVID-19 related costs, we have created a new activity code “799680 – COVID-19 nonrecurring charges” within the chart of accounts. This code is designed to track unusual activities and expenses relating to our response to this incident and can be used for expenses such as travel cancellation fees, non-refundable conference fees, support of distance learning, or costs associated with transitioning students off campus. 

Please keep in mind:

•     This activity code should NOT be used for charges to sponsored awards.
•     We recommend that everyone add “COVID-19” to the transaction description to help further track these costs.

Departments should use the unspecified subactivity of 0000 instead of a specific subactivity code. If you use a specific subactivity with the COVID-19 activity code, it will not work. 

If you are using this code in HCOM, Concur, or with PCards, you many need to validate the code. Use the Chart of Accounts Validator tool. Once validated, it will be available for usage within 24 hours of the submitted  validation request. 

Additional Resources:
FAS Finance Chart of Accounts Validator Tool

No. Departments should use the unspecified subactivity of 0000 and nothing specific. If you tried to use a specific subactivity with the COVID-19 activity code, it will not work. Remove any specific subactivity code with the COVID-19 activity code.

Additional Resources:
FAS Finance Chart of Accounts Validator Tool

Schools across Harvard are discouraging use of school funds to pay for an individual's wifi, and HUIT has published a list of reduced cost wifi or cellular data allowances. 

University policy prohibits the purchase of office/peripheral equipment and supplies for use at home. Any exceptions to this policy must be approved by the FAS Finance Dean prior to any purchase made.

Additional Resources:
Harvard Business Expense Reimbursements Policy

FAS Payroll has measures in place to ensure employees are paid in this situation. FAS Payroll will continue to send out reminders about missing time. 

Please remind your staff that time entry should continue to occur as normal, even while working remotely.

For questions about Corporate Cards, please visit Harvard Card Services and FAS Card Services.

Contact Harvard Card Services: fad_corporatecard@harvard.edu
Contact FAS Card Services: Joshua Dunn, dunn@fas.harvard.edu

You can also contact Citi Customer Service: 1-800-248-4553 (call collect 1-904-954-7314 when dialing from outside the U.S.).

New corporate cards will be mailed to home addresses as long as the University’s work-from-home advisory remains in place. Applications will only be submitted to Citi during this time if they contain a home address.

Travel Cancellation and Reimbursement Guidelines and FAQ’s can be found on the Harvard Travel Website FAQs.

Additional Resources:
Harvard Travel Services

Fall plan updates are available here: Announcement on Fall 2020 Plans | Decision for the 2020-21 Fall Academic Year

updated 07/06/20

The admissions office has a full class incoming this fall; however, students (both first year and returning) may make different decisions based on the University's decisions, and the impact is not known at this time.

updated 06/10/20

Each department can have departmental mail sent to a one off-campus address of its choosing. This will include USPS Parcels, First Class mail, or mail with endorsements requiring forwarding. Mail will be bundled and shipped USPS First Class/Priority mail unless otherwise requested.  A tracking number can be provided on request. 

To set this service up, please send an email to hums@harvard.edu with the following information:

•    Department name, and address on campus
•    Individual’s name that mail will be sent to
•    How often mail should be sent?  (we recommend weekly)
•    Billing code (If you are a current HUMS metering customer let us know)

Please reach out to Mail Services for with additional questions or concerns: hums@harvard.edu or 617-496-MAIL (6245). 

Additional Resources:
Harvard Mail and Print Services

Parking Services is currently offering two options for those who have had their commute and/or daily driving routine disrupted by coronavirus (COVID-19). Both options will ultimately result in the same refund or credit amount. Visit the Permit Parking Options during COVID-19 university work policy website or email Parking Services with additional questions: parking@harvard.edu.

Related Harvard University Coronavirus FAQ: Can I cancel my Harvard Parking Permit?

Additional Resources:
Harvard Transportation and Parking

If you do not plan on using your T pass and would like to receive credit for it, please visit Transit Commuter Options During COVID-19 University Work Policy for passholder-specific guidance. For future transit orders, visit Harvard Commuter Choice, emai: commuterchoice@harvard.edu, or call (617) 384-7433. 

Related Harvard University Coronavirus FAQ: Parking and Transit: I'm an essential employee and would like to start driving to work instead of taking public transit. Can I cancel my MBTA pass and get a parking permit?

Additional Resources:
Harvard Commuter Choice
Transit Commuter Options During COVID-19 University Work Policy

updated 06/10/20

Campus services are working on transportation issues, whether that is for employees who take the MBTA and employees who park on campus. We will post information when we know more.

updated 06/10/20

We encourage you to leverage the following University-wide resources as a first stop for all COVID-19 related questions and updates. Keep in mind that the information on these websites changes and evolves on a regular basis, given the unfolding circumstances around COVID-19.
-    Harvard Coronavirus Updated HR policies
-    Harvard Coronavirus website 
-    Harvard Coronavirus FAQs   
-    Harvard Coronavirus Workplace Policies 
-    Harvard Voluntary Programs for Staff 

We ask that you use your best judgment about when to escalate questions to your department, divisions, HR consultant, and FAS administration.  For more specific questions, email: coronavirus_covid-19info@fas.harvard.edu and Administrative Operations will triage your request.

updated: 06/10/20

We recommend reading the University's FAQ, "Advice for leaders, managers, and staff working remotely" for guidance on how to approach remote work.

Additional Resources:
​​​​​​​HUIT Work Remotely​​​​​​​
 

Managers have been asked to use their best judgment about LHT/Temp staff and their remote work capabilities. 

Related Harvard University Coronavirus FAQ: Employees and Workforce --> Can employees work remotely?

Additional Resources: 
Harvard Coronavirus - Work Remotely

Employees who can work from home should continue to do so and report time if necessary; they will be paid for performing their role remotely. If your employees cannot work from home, please refer to pay continuation guidance posed on the Coronavirus main page on updated Human Resources policies in response to COVID-19.  For information on Payroll procuedures during this time, please visit the Office of the Controller's Payroll Processes During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency page.

updated: 06/17/20

Please continue to report your normal worked hours in Peoplesoft, and submit to your time approver on time, if appropriate. 

For absences, please refer to the University-wide guidance on how to report absences in PeopleSoft, including use of the new 30-day excused absence reason of COVID-19. 

Additional Resources:
Harvard HR Enhanced Workplace Policies

 

Working from home does not change the previous guidance given by your local manager for submitting or approving vacation, sick, or personal time. If you are not feeling well, please report this immediately to your approving manager and please be in touch with health services if you believe you have COVID-19. HUHS: healthservices@huhs.harvard.edu. For more guidance, visit the University FAQ under the health section, "What should I do if I feel sick?".

Related Harvard University Coronavirus FAQ: Health --> What should I do if I feel sick?

Additional Resources:
HUHS Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Information and Updates

While we recognize that it may be difficult to take vacation days right now given COVID-19, we would encourage staff, especially those with accrued and unused vacation days at the maximum level, to continue to use their vacation days to the extent possible.  While you might not be able to travel currently, and venturing out is limited, time away from an employee’s remote work arrangement is still possible. There are no current plans to change vacation maximums or the way in which vacation days accrue for those with a maximum balance. 

Keep in mind that once a staff member reaches their vacation maximum and no longer accrues vacation days, there is a negative impact on both the staff member and the department if the accrued and unused vacation days are not taken. Staff members lose the chance to rest and to recharge, and there is a negative financial impact for the department which has paid (for vacation time) into the Harvard-wide vacation fund and is not able to obtain credit for vacation time used. 

Additional Resources:
​​​​​​​Harvard HR: Paid Time​​​​​​​

The Central Payroll and Nonresident Alien Tax Compliance teams have made operational changes for payroll time entry/approval, paper check distribution, form I-9 collection, nonresident alien onboarding, and glacier tax compliance. See the Office of the Controller website. As of March 24, 2020, the form I-9, available on the Central Payroll website, will now allow an electronic signature and the verification process now has increased flexibility for administrators.

Additional Resources:
Guidance Regarding I-9 Collection during COVID-19
Central Payroll
Payroll and NRA Emergency Operations Changes

It is possible for a new employee to start work despite working remotely. Department administrators can work with FAS Human Resources and HUIT to facilitate remote onboarding.

FAS has rolled out a process to assess whether hiring meets a critical need at this time. Please visit the FAS HR page on the Critical Position Review (CPR) process.

A position is designated as critical when “its responsibilities include non-deferrable services that must be performed despite an emergency closure or work curtailment.” Simply put, critical positions are a small handful of jobs that will have a strategic impact on our ability to continue our FAS mission and essential operations in the immediate future.

updated: 06/10/20

For questions regarding Faculty hiring please contact FAS Faculty Affairs.

The University at this time has not changed their short-term and long-term benefits which include maternity leaves.  Consult Harvard HR Leaves for more information about leaves.

If you want to move forward with a staff hire that you feel is strategic and critical please take the following steps:  1. Contact your AD Dean to decide if he or she agrees that this role is critical.  If they agree 2. Put together a written justification to send to your HR consultant;  these requests will be sent to Dean Gay and Dean Kirwan. Please remember that given our financial contraints there will be a very high bar.

Unemployment eligibility is determined by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Insurance eligibility criteria. Visit the Commonwealth's dedicated site around COVID-19 for unemployment information.

Harvard’s Office of Work/Life, as well as the EAP and other resources are working to meet our needs. For both managers and employees, if you have a specific request, please reach out to the  EAP to talk through and explore options. 

You can reach the EAP any time for personal or work-related concerns at 877-EAP-HARV (877-327-4278). Explore this section for specific ways in which the EAP can help. You can also visit the EAP online.

The University is involved in an intiative to procure masks and other critical supplies for a safe return to campus once those decisions are make. Departments do not need to buy these supplies. Do not procure these items on your own. 

More communication and University guidance will be coming when campus re-opening is announced.

updated: 06/10/20

Based on Governor Baker's advisory, we are urging employees to stay home and not enter Harvard buildings. We will be limiting public access to facilities by requiring a Harvard ID Card for entry, and building access logs will be reviewed by Divisional Deans for appropriateness. Before going to your building, you should check with your manager about if it is necessary to go. 

If you are in an academic division or with the Harvard College Libraries, before going to the office, you or your manager will need to notify your Ad Dean - Science Division: Russ Porter; Arts & Humanities: Mathilda van Es; Social Sciences: Beverly Beatty; Harvard College Libraries: Vaughn Waters.

Based on Governor Baker's advisory, we are urging employees to stay home and not enter Harvard buildings. We will be limiting public access to facilities by requiring a Harvard ID Card for entry, and building access logs will be reviewed by Divisional Deans for appropriateness. Before going to your building, you should check with your manager to ensure it is absolutely necessary. If you are an essential employee and need to access these spaces for mission critical work, we urge you to follow social distancing guidance when accessing buildings. 

If you are in an academic division or with the Harvard College Libraries, before going to the office, you or your manager will need to notify your Ad Dean - Science Division: Russ Porter; Arts & Humanities: Mathilda van Es; Social Sciences: Beverly Beatty; Harvard College Libraries: Vaughn Waters.

We do not expect remote work to impact grant application.  The University’s 5 Day Policy and FAS procedures remain in effect. RAS will work with departments and OSP to monitor for short and long term adjustments, if needed.

Yes, we expect to sustain access to FAS Research Computing resources during this time and office hours will be held remotely.  Visit FAS Research Computing for more information. 

Additional Resources:
FAS Research Lab Operations FAQs

Refer to guidance from the Harvard Office of Sponsored Projects around charging employees to sponsored grants. For additional guidance or specific questions, reach out to your FAS RAS grants manager. 

Additional Resources:
Harvard OSP FAQs for COVID-19 - Sponsored Research
Harvard OSP: COVID-19 Research Releated Information and Websites

While federal agencies and sponsors have not issued guidance on hiring, we urge you to handle research hiring on a case by case basis, and consider if the nature of the work is conducive to remote work, and if the project is still running. 

Also remember that if you want to move forward with a staff hire that you feel is strategic and critical please follow the FAS Critical Position Review process.

updated 06/10/20

We are waiting for the Office of the Controller to provide University wide guidance for foreign hires working outside the U.S.

updated 06/10/20

Visit the HUIT Work Remotely website for more information about available tools and resources for remote work.

Contact the HUIT Service Desk for specific IT questions or concerns: 
Submit a ticket or live chat with HUIT support online: huit.harvard.edu/ithelp
Email: ithelp@harvard.edu
Phone: 617-495-7777

You can take your Harvard provided laptop, monitor, and docking station home. If you have desktop machine but we ask that you contact your manager and HUIT for other alternatives. HUIT has access to some loaner laptops for staff and your manager can fill out a request on your behalf.

Related Harvard University Coronavirus FAQs: Technology Support

Additional Resources:
HUIT Work Remote

Yes, we expect to sustain access to FAS Research Computing resources during this time and office hours will be held remotely.  Visit FAS Research Computing for more information. 

Additional Resources:
FAS Research Lab Operations FAQs