Communication

Communication is essential in responding to demands resulting from a pandemic and to facilitate the effective exchange of information. The Research Foundation (RF), in a continuing commitment to provide safety and security for its employees, is participating in the NY-ALERT program and other campus emergency alert systems in conjunction with SUNY. RF employees are encouraged to sign up to receive important safety and emergency information electronically.  For more information about flu in our community, campus initiatives, and information in the event of a pandemic situation visit the Research Foundation Buffalo State campus website at www.rf.buffalostate.edu and the Buffalo State campus website at http://www.buffalostate.edu/.

In the event we need to communicate directly with employees, communication will be via the e-mail address previously provided to the RF HR Buffalo State College campus office. If your e-mail address changes, please be sure to update your e-mail address with the Research Foundation Human Resources office at 716-878-4046 and be sure you are able to access e-mail from this e-mail address when you are at home.

For the most up-to-date information on flu, visit http://www.flu.gov/, or call 1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636). We will notify you by e-mail of any additional changes to our institution’s strategy to prevent the spread of flu on our campus.

Paid Time Off- Leave Accruals

The RF offers generous paid time off benefits that protect against loss of income due to illness or disability and provides paid time off for other purposes. The existing Leave Policy and Leave Administration guidelines will be maintained during a pandemic situation.

Employees who become ill or take time off to care for family members will continue to be responsible for complying with the existing sick leave guidelines and reporting procedures. If, due to circumstances outside the employee's control, he or she is unable to comply, the situation will be evaluated on a case by case basis. Requests for time off from healthy employees who wish to avoid exposure require appropriate approvals and must follow existing absence procedures. Employees with appropriate accruals may charge vacation, personal or holiday. If the employee does not have accruals, he or she will be put on unpaid leave.

Family Medical Leave Act

Employees who take leave in a pandemic situation may be eligible for FMLA. Eligible employees are allowed 12 weeks of unpaid leave for the employee's serious health condition or to care for a family member. Immediate family members are the employee's spouse, sons and daughters (if any), and parents, including anyone designated in loco parentis, but not including parents-in-law.

Leave of Absence – Disability

Existing disability procedures will apply in the event of an extended health crisis. An employee who is unable to work due to illness or injury and who is eligible for New York State Disability and has exhausted sick leave credits will be placed on disability leave without pay.

Benefits Continuation

For information on benefits continuation coverage for employees on leave, refer to the Benefits Handbook and Continuation of Coverage section under the regular employee benefits on the RF Web site.

Employee Pay

In order to ensure that employees continue to receive salary without interruption in the event of a pandemic, the RF encourages enrollment in the Direct Deposit Program. Paychecks and direct deposit stubs can be delivered to an alternate location in the event business operations are moved to an alternate worksite.