COVID-19 Information for Staff at UC San Diego
Campus Human Resources is here to support staff through the COVID-19 crisis.
- Symptom Screening: Learn about COVID-19 symptom screening requirements for employees working on campus.
- Frequently Asked Questions: Get answers to frequently asked questions about COVID-19 and its impact on UC San Diego staff.
- Paid Leave Provisions: Information about UC and federal paid leave provisions for staff employees.
- Hiring, Onboarding and Compensation: Guidance on navigating hiring, onboarding and compensation activities pertaining to COVID-19.
- Remote Work Resources: Guidelines and resources for working remotely, including training resources, Temporary Remote Work Agreements and privacy considerations (Knowledge Base Article).
- Parent and Family Resources: Benefits information and curated links to resources that support parents and families during COVID-19.
- Virtual Professional Development: Professional development opportunities for the remote work environment.
- Temporary Work Opportunity Clearinghouse: Request temporary staffing support or indicate availability to support other areas.
Return to Campus Support Desk
Between June 1 and September 1, employees will gradually be invited to return to campus for on-site work. A Support Desk has been established to address any questions and concerns campus staff employees may have about returning to campus. The Support Desk is available now with service Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Contact the desk by phone at 858-246-3570 or by email at hr@ucsd.edu.Training Requirement for Employees Returning to Campus
Updated: June 15, 2021
Employees who return to campus, even on an intermittent basis, must complete COVID-19 prevention training, as required by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and Cal/OSHA. Please review the information below to determine if and when you need to take action.
- Employees who previously completed the COVID-19 Return to Work Training released in 2020 will receive a notification from the UC Learning Center to complete a 10-minute supplemental course that summarizes the key updates on the current state requirements and UC policy. The employee must complete this supplemental course within two weeks of receiving the notification, in order to comply with the state directive.
- Employees who did not take or complete the COVID-19 Return to Work course and who are returning to on-site work should take the updated course, COVID-19 Prevention, which is now available in the UC Learning Center. The COVID-19 Prevention course takes 30 minutes to complete. Employees who complete the COVID-19 Prevention course will not need to complete the supplemental course. Take the COVID-19 Prevention course »
- Employees who are working fully remotely do not need to complete training until they have been approved by their Vice Chancellor to return to work on site. Upon approval to return, employees must then complete the COVID-19 Prevention training course.
Mental Wellbeing Resources
Faculty and Staff Assistance Program
We understand that members of the campus community are worried about the virus and may be experiencing heightened feelings of anxiety. If you are a campus staff employee and would like access to counseling services, contact the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) at (858) 543-5523 or via the links below.
- Learn more about the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program »
- Make an appointment with an FSAP counselor »
- Confidential appointments and consultations are available by way of Zoom using a HIPAA-compliant, encrypted link.
*UC San Diego Heath employees: Please contact your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider aligned with your medical coverage. For additional information and questions about UC San Diego Health, please contact the Health Sciences Human Resources Services team at the protected employee portal or call (619) 543-3200.
Tritons Flourish
This monthly program is open to any UC San Diego campus employee interested in connecting with others who are committed to flourishing in their personal and professional lives. The goal of Tritons Flourish is to develop a common language around wellbeing among faculty, staff and students, and to build a network of support and resilience.
Learn more about the topics discussed in Tritons Flourish (PDF) »
The Tritons Flourish group meets the third Thursday of each month at 12 p.m. Email William Youngblood, LMFT, FSAP Counselor, for more information »
Support for Parents and Caregivers
All parents are invited to join the UC San Diego Moms listserv to receive information about parenting support groups.
0-5 Working Moms
Meets the 4th Wednesday of the month from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Please join us for a supportive discussion and an opportunity to connect with other UC San Diego remote working moms. Working from home and parenting during the Coronavirus pandemic is unfamiliar territory for us all, not to mention the difficulty balancing roles amid a variety of stressors. Parenting is never easy, but this is unprecedented. You are not alone!
This support group is in collaboration with the Women’s Center and facilitated by Izabel Caetano Francy, LCSW, a Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) licensed clinician, with a perinatal mental health specialty, who is also a full-time remote working mom.
Join the UC San Diego Moms listserve to receive meeting details each month »
Working Parents
Meets the 1st Wednesday of the month from 12 - 1 p.m.
Today's parents of elementary, middle school, and teenaged children face immense challenges and working parents are further impacted by having to manage work/life balance. Come join us for a supportive discussion on topics relevant to you and for an opportunity to connect with other UC San Diego parents.
This support group is in collaboration with the Women’s Center and facilitated by Izabel Caetano Francy, LCSW, a Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) licensed clinician, who is also a full-time remote working parent.
Join the UC San Diego Moms listserve to receive meeting details each month »
Caregivers and Eldercare Support Group
Meets the 1st Tuesday of the month from 12 - 1 p.m.
The Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) offers an ongoing caregivers and eldercare support group, as well as individual referrals and resources, to campus employees, retirees, and postdoctoral and visiting scholars.
Specific issues addressed include:
- Caretaker management
- Elderly relatives and disabilities
- Sibling conflict resulting from eldercare time and financial commitments
- Long-distance caretaking
- Emotional issues involved in eldercare
- Caregiver tips
To receive the Zoom meeting invitation, contact Crystal Green at cegreen@ucsd.edu.
Articles and Resources
- The UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness, the Sanford Institute for Empathy and Compassion, and the Compassion Institute are partnering to offer daily streams and recordings of mindfulness and compassion sessions to provide resources and online support to those affected. View the schedule of offerings »
- Feeling anxiety about coronavirus? A UC San Francisco psychologist offers tips to stay clearheaded »
Contributing to a Supportive and Inclusive Campus Community
UC San Diego is a proud community of international scholars, staff and students. We should not make assumptions about others’ perceived symptoms (a cough or fever is not uniquely associated with COVID-19) or any characteristics of their identity (the virus is now impacting diverse nations and populations around the world). We thrive when we respect one another and stay committed to each other’s well-being. Your continuing compassion and empathy make a tangible difference on our campus.
If you are a campus employee and you have questions, contact the Human Resources Employee Relations team at employeerelations@ucsd.edu or (858) 534-4115. Health Sciences and Health System employees should contact Health Human Resources for guidance and information.