Procedures and Approval Process

The following College of Health and Human Development Return to Work process is effective July 1, 2020.  All University and college procedures related to return to work are subject to change. 

Requests

Approval Process

Pre-approval Step (Individual Requests Only):

If the request is initiated by an individual faculty or staff member, the individual must first fill out the Individual Return to On Campus Work form and submit to their immediate supervisor. If the individual request is approved, the supervisor, should begin the process to request college approval starting with Step 1.

Step 1

Supervisor, center director, unit head, or department head, submits the HHD Return to On Campus Work Form to Wendy Williams, wlw6@psu.edu. When requesting return of more than one employee, one form should be submitted (do not submit a separate form for each individual within a group).

The requester will be asked to provide information related to the following:

• Risk related to the spread of COVID-19
• Personnel who cannot work remotely and/or who are at risk of loss of salary/furlough.
• Requirements for proximity relative to available space (ability of space to accommodate physical separation among personnel)
• Density of personnel in building/floor/hallway
• Time sensitivity of work
• Requirements for custodial or other staff efforts (e.g., sanitizing workspace, disposal of hazardous waste, safety inspections, etc.)

All requests must also include a plan for the following:

• Cleaning protocols, including plans for wiping down equipment, door handles, and any other frequently touched surfaces upon entry and exit
• Communication plan with employees who will be working on campus (this includes those already approved to work on campus as well as those for whom approval is being sought), as applicable 
• Detailed schedule of personnel to access the on-campus facilities to achieve social distancing requirements, to be posted outside the door

Step 2

Wendy Williams, will circulate the form for approval by human resources, facilities, associate dean for research and associate dean for outreach and undergraduate education. In the case where the center director, department head, or unit head is not the requester such approval will also be required.

Step 3

If approved, the college submits the Return to Work Authorization (RWA) Form for University Approval. If denied, notification will be made of the reason for the denial. 

Step 4

Once RWA form is approved, the college will submit the Office of the Physical Plant (OPP) Space Re-Occupancy Form on behalf of approved employees.  

• This form provides OPP with the operational details of the activities that have been approved to return to their on-campus facilities.

Step 5

Upon approval of the return to on site work, the college will notify the requester, department head, unit head, and center director of decision on requests to return to on-campus facilities.

Step 6

Once notified of approval to return and under what conditions/schedule. Manager verifies that a COVID-19 Safety Procedures for Businesses flyer is posted near the spaces that will be occupied. If a poster is not present the manager prints and posts a copy in the workspace.

Step 7

Review established personal safety practices and instructions for responding to reported cases (suspected and confirmed) of COVID-19. Notify all returning employees of obligations and ensure that all members of the work group understand these expectations and obligations.