Over the last several weeks as we have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic, your health and safety has been our top priority. We have changed how we work, study, and research at the University of Alberta, moving most activities to remote work spaces and remote delivery.
There are, however, some areas of the university where work cannot be done remotely or where work activities and related revenue generation have temporarily stopped. As many other organizations have had to do, the university has made the difficult decision to begin planning for temporary layoffs, especially in light of current directives which suggest that preventative COVID-19 measures will likely remain in place for quite some time. To address this situation, the university has negotiated a Letter of Understanding (LOU) with NASA regarding temporary layoffs of support staff for up to 120 days. This will also ensure that affected support staff have access to the Canada Emergency Response Benefit.
Temporary layoffs will have a significant impact on the lives of some of our support staff and this Letter of Understanding clearly lays out what can be expected. Temporary layoffs of up to 120 days may apply to NASA employees in regular and auxiliary operating and trust funded positions. Affected employees will receive 14 days of notice before the layoff. During the layoff, they will continue to have access to all health, dental and life insurance benefits. Once the layoff ends, they will be recalled into the position they occupied prior to the layoff. (Full details are available in the Letter of Understanding.)
Because decisions about layoffs will occur within units and faculties, I cannot say today how many NASA employees will be affected and when. However, in some areas, 14 day notices of layoff could be received as soon as early next week.
I want to emphasize these layoffs are temporary and the work that is currently stalled due to COVID-19 continues to be vital to normal university operations. Every member of our university community makes an important contribution. This LOU protects jobs so that when the university resumes normal business, affected staff can continue their valuable work.
My thanks to NASA’s executive team and to each one of you for your continued understanding and patience as we navigate through this unprecedented time of upheaval and change.
David H. Turpin
President and Vice-chancellor
More information about the Letter of Understanding is available on the NASA and Human Resource Services websites.Letter of Understanding is available on the NASA and Human Resource Services websites.
The Employee and Family Assistance Program provides counselling services, online health and well-being courses and helpful articles.Employee and Family Assistance Program provides counselling services, online health and well-being courses and helpful articles.