March 15, 2020

Additional employee guidance following Gov. Cooper’s Executive Order

NC State Employees,

On Saturday, in response to the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), Governor Cooper issued an Executive Order that included banning mass gatherings of more than 100 people and directing that K-12 public schools across the state close for at least two weeks, beginning March 16.

NC State has prohibited meetings and events on campus larger than 100 people and taken additional steps to promote social distancing. However, we know that the decision to close schools is a significant change that is leaving a large number of caregivers who are NC State employees in a difficult situation. We also realize that some Wolfpack employees have other significant personal or family health-related concerns regarding the outbreak.

I and the university’s senior leadership are directing college, administrative and other university supervisors to expeditiously implement remote and alternative work arrangements and additional social distancing practices for employees where possible and appropriate. We are further asking supervisors to be flexible and considerate of employee needs, including children at home. Employees who need to remain at home, please contact your supervisor as soon as possible to discuss possible work arrangements.

We understand that remote work is not a viable alternative for many positions at the university. However, we strongly encourage implementing practices and processes that embrace social distancing in these work situations.

This is a fluid, unprecedented situation. I am asking you and all in our community to come together as a Pack, to be flexible and patient, and to encourage and support one another as we all work to determine how to best continue our work in the days and weeks ahead.

To limit the campus population and support social distancing, we are asking that children not be brought to the workplace as an alternative work option. For employees who cannot come to work because of children at home and who are not able to work remotely, you are permitted to use leave for this purpose.

Human Resources has posted an FAQ that includes information related to school closings to help provide answers and direction regarding this unique situation. Also, if you have not already, please refer to HR’s pandemic and communicable disease guidelines and resources web page, which includes important information about social distancing, alternative work provisions including telework, accounting for absences, leave and pay, additional FAQs and other topics.

Stay up to date with campus announcements, helpful information and a growing list of campus resources at www.ncsu.edu/coronavirus.

Thank you all for your tireless dedication, flexibility and hard work. I am confident that together we can and will ensure campus remains open and operational while also doing all we can to keep our community as safe and healthy as possible.

Randy Woodson, Chancellor