About furloughs
A furlough is a temporary, unpaid layoff from work or a reduction in the days or hours worked, with the expectation of returning the employee to regular employment or work schedule once business operations permit. In some instances it can be applied as an alternate schedule, such as the employee being furloughed for one week per month. Employees on furlough may not use vacation time.
Our goal is to avoid layoffs. Furloughs offer a flexible way to reduce payroll temporarily, until staff can be recalled. However, there is a lot of uncertainty that comes with this pandemic and the global financial downturn. Furloughs are what we are implementing now, but circumstances could change in the future.
Furlough program length
The type and duration of these furloughs will vary. We hope to conclude the furlough period by August 31, but unfortunately, our ability to predict the duration of these furloughs is limited because of the continued uncertain course of the disease, and the state and county mandates to reopen our economy more fully.
Benefits and pay
Benefits will continue in accordance with Policy 354 Layoff and Recall. Employees on furlough for one full pay period or longer follow the guidelines for temporary layoff, found in section II.J.1. on page 4 of Policy 354. Employees on a furlough schedule in which some work occurs in each pay period are considered active for the purpose of University benefits. Necessary cost-sharing of premiums will continue. Eligibility for 403(b) Retirement Program will continue and will reflect actual salary earned.
Furloughed employees may be eligible for unemployment as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and should apply. There have been changes to and expansion of unemployment benefits in New York State based on the CARES Act that may provide furloughed employees with enhanced unemployment benefits. More information is available on the NYS Department of Labor website.