Working Through COVID-19

Our employees' safety and well-being is our campus' top priority. We are committed to being available during this time of uncertainty to support you.

Please email your appropriate OHR staff member and they will respond as quickly as possible. In addition, the HR main line (760) 750-4418 and email account (hr@csum.edu) will continue to be monitored.

4/17/20: Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) has enacted the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act and the Emergency Family Medical Leave Expansion Act. The Act is effective April 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020.

3/25/20: Paid Administrative Leave (CPAL)

UPDATE 4/1/20: Effective immediately, the 128 hours granted to employees on March 23 has been increased to 256 hours. We are pleased to announce that the California State University has granted use of temporary paid administrative leave up to 128 hours effective March 23 through December 31, 2020 for CSU (state) employees who are unable to work due to COVID-19.

3/18/20: Temporary Telecommuting Agreement

CSUSM is encouraging temporary telecommuting where management has determined it is appropriate and possible. A Temporary Telecommuting Agreement form must be completed to ensure that all policies and procedures are followed. 

Frequently Asked Questions

• How can I submit HR or Payroll forms when I am telcommuting?

  Employees should remove confidential information (e.g. SSN, DOB, etc.) from the document and then email it directly to your HR Analyst or Payroll Technician.

• Do I need to report my time in PeopleSoft?

  Employees should continue to report their time and attendance in PeopleSoft. Time spent performing work at home will be recorded as if performing official duties on campus.

• What if I would like to request a vacation day?

  Employees must continue to follow their department procedure (and the controlling collective bargaining agreement, if applicable) to request and obtain approval for vacation time.

• How will this impact the recruitment process?

  HR will continue to monitor recruitments through our normal process. 

  All interviews are encouraged to be conducted via Zoom or Skype until further notice. Please keep in mind there should be consistency with each recruitment (e.g., all candidates are interviewed via Zoom).

• How will this impact a classification review or in-range progression request?

  There will be no impact to the classification review process nor in-range progression requests.

• How do I pick up my paycheck?

   To ensure maximum level of safety for all employees, all "live" paychecks for the March pay period will be mailed no later than Friday, March 27 to the home address on file with the university. 

  Please note that pay stubs for employees on Direct Deposit will not be mailed. They will be kept on hand for when all employees return to campus. Digital copies of pay stubs can be accessed through MyCSUSM.

• How can I update my home address?

  We encourage employees who are not enrolled in Direct Deposit to log in to PeopleSoft employee self-service MyCSUSM no later than Monday, March 23 to confirm the home address on file is accurate and make any necessary updates. 

  Upon accessing MyCSUSM, employees can update their address by selecting "My HR Resources" and then "Personal Information."

• What impact, if any, will this have on my performance evaluation (including due date)?

  The due date for annual performance evaluations for all bargaining unit and confidential employees has been extended to June 30, 2020. The review period will remain the same (April 1, 2019 through March 31, 2020).

  Performance evaluations for MPP's will also be due on June 30, 2020.

  For questions, please contact Melinda Swearingen at mswearingen@csum.edu.

• Are the Performance Evaluation Workshops cancelled?

  Yes, at this time all in-person events at CSUSM have been cancelled. If you have questions or need assistance with the evaluation process, please contact Melinda Swearingen at mswearingen@csum.edu.

• I am feeling anxious and overwhelmed. What should I do?

  CSUSM is committed to supporting our employees in navigating these challenges. We are deeply grateful to you for the work you are doing to help us continue to serve our students and maintain operations in a time of uncertainty and anxiety

  Our Employee Assistance Program, Empathia, provides well-being and counseling support 24/7 and can be reached at 800-367-7474 or online at www.mylifematters.com (password: cougars).

• Who can I contact if I still need a leave of absence?

  Please contact Michelle Buth via email at mbuth@csusm.edu. Michelle will provide all necessary information and guide you through the process.

• Does the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or California Family Rights Act (CFRA) entitle an employee to take leave to avoid contacting COVID-19?

  No. FMLA and CFRA entitles employees to job-protected leave when they have a serious health condition or when they need leave to care for covered family members who have a serious health condition. Leave for the purposes of avoiding exposure to COVID-19 is not protected under the FMLA or CFRA.

• If I am currently on an approved leave, am I allowed to work remotely?

  The regular return to work process remains in effect and the appropriate documentation is required before any work may resume.

• Will my insurance cover me or my family if we need to be tested for COVID-19?

  Employees and their dependents in the CalPERS health benefits program will not have any out-of-pocket payments for screening and testing of COVID-19. This applies to members in both the CalPERS HMO and PPO plans Please contact your primary care provider for instructions on how to be tested.

• How will this impact my service credit accruals or retirement? Will I need to change my retirement date?

  The CalPERS Regional Offices are currently closed, but members can still contact the CalPERS Center at (888) 225-7377 to schedule a phone appointment or ask questions. 

  As long as employees remain in active pay status, they will continue to accrue service credit as usual. Any changes to the employee's time base will impact the service credit accrual rate.

  Employees who are planning to have already submitted their retirement applications to CalPERS can move forward with their retirement as planned. Please contact HR with any additional questions via hr@csusm.edu. 

• Am I able to change my days or hours of work while telcommuting?

  Changes to work days and hours should be approved in advance by your manager and may require additional documentation (e.g. revised Alternate Work Schedule or Telecommuting Agreement). As part of the discussion about days or hours of work while telecommuting, employees and their managers should also discuss when/how to make contact on teleworking days.

• What if I am sick and unable to work while telecommuting?

  Employees who are sick and unable to work in their teleworking location should notify their manager and report those absences as they would in a normal office setting.

• How will work assignments be communicated to me?

  Work assignments will be provided by the appropriate administrator and can be communicated by phone, email, and/or other business systems/technology. Employees should complete all assigned work according to procedures determined by the appropriate administrator. Manager and employees are encouraged to have ongoing discussions regarding work assignments, deadlines, and potential impacts.

Stay Informed

CSUSM Covid-19 Updates

CSUSM COVID-19 Benefit Resources

IITS For You

Keep Teaching at CSUSM

Student Relief Fund