In addition to the state holiday granted by Governor Hogan for Thursday, December 24, 2020, on behalf of the Executive Director, Dr. Khademian, I am pleased to inform you that USG campus will be closed on Wednesday December 23, 2020. All regular/contingent II faculty and staff will be on Administrative Leave both December 23 and 24.

Essential staff must follow directions from their supervisor. If required to work, essential employees will receive compensatory time or additional pay for the portion of their regularly scheduled shift that is covered by the campus closure on December 23 and 24, 2020, in addition to their hours worked. This shall be in accordance with the employee’s overtime payment status and relevant personnel policy on work hours and overtime.

Please note that a total of 16 hours of Administrative Leave will be populated on the PHR timesheets and Faculty Leave Records for all full-time regular and contingent II staff and faculty for December 23 and 24, 2020. There may be employees who have previously requested to be on Annual Leave or other paid leave on December 23 and/or 24, 2020. Those employees will not be required to charge the pre-approved leave on those days. If paid leave has already been recorded on the time/leave record, it should be removed and replaced with administrative leave. However, employees who are in an unpaid leave status on the prior scheduled workday are ineligible for to Administrative Leave, pursuant to applicable USM policies.

Any bargaining unit staff member who has a professional development day scheduled on December 23 or 24, 2020, should contact Staff Relations at 301-405-0001 to reschedule. Finally, please note that Thursday, December 24, 2020, will continue to be a State of Maryland payday.

As a result of our changing work environment, some departments are experiencing an increased workload while others may have employees with increased availability. To help bridge that gap, University Human Resources (UHR) has created a Talent Share Program to support departments in need by connecting the department with campus employees who have the availability and the desire to help in other areas that need temporary support. This program is being offered to assist units in meeting operational demands by providing temporary resources, allowing employees to work in diverse areas.

HOW IT WORKS

• Participating employees have the opportunity to share their skills through a temporary assignment
• Employees will remain on their regular appointment in their home department,  in their same title and pay. This program is not intended to result in any type of salary increase.
• The employee should not exceed working a total of  40 hours in the workweek.  Temporary assignments should not result in putting the employee into an overtime status.
• Performance of the temporary assignment will not be included as part of the PRD process
• Department who have a need for temporary assistance will complete the Talent Share Request Form
• Supervisors should discuss with employees who have the availability and desire to temporarily help in other units and complete a Talent Share Interest Form
• The UHR Administrator will match the two needs based on skills and availability, reach out to all parties involved, and monitor the assignment

As an expression of the university’s service mission, President Pines encourages us all to help our communities by participating in the Day to Serve initiative declared by Maryland Governor Larry Hogan. The Day to Serve Program encourages all Marylander’s to choose at least one day between September 11 and October 31 to participate in or host a volunteer activity. This initiative unites citizens in volunteer efforts and recognizes the exceptional community service that occurs year-round in the State of Maryland. In response to this year’s public health challenges, for the first time, opportunities to volunteer will be available both in person and remotely.

Service Leave/Eligibility

• All regular and CII faculty, exempt and non-exempt staff are eligible to participate upon supervisor approval.
• You may receive up to four hours of paid administrative leave to perform qualifying volunteer service during normal working hours. The leave must be pre-approved by your supervisor and scheduled at a time when it will not interfere with essential functions of your unit or department.
• The volunteer service must be performed in conjunction with an organization that has a valid 501 (c)(3) designation from the Internal Revenue Service
• Under state law, the volunteer service must not attempt to promote religious beliefs nor influence legislation, governmental policy, or elections to public office.
• A participating employee may not receive any direct benefits or compensation for their service.
• Time spent commuting to and from the volunteer service site and time the employee volunteers after regularly scheduled work hours do not qualify for this program.

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Following Governor Hogan’s announcement that the Independence Day holiday can be extended by a day for all state employees, UMD will close on Friday, July 5, 2019.

Wishing everyone a happy and safe Fourth of July weekend as we celebrate America’s 243rd birthday!

The University of Maryland policy and procedures on Conflict of Interest and Conflict of Commitment require that all full-time exempt staff complete an annual report on Outside Professional Activities (OPA). The form must be completed, even if there are no outside professional activities to report. Part-time exempt staff and non-exempt staff are not required to complete an OPA report.

Exempt staff must complete the OPA report online for the period from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018. Staff may access the report at http://ares.umd.edu. Once on the ARES website, staff should go to “Quick Links” and select “Outside Professional Activities (OPA) Report.” Once logged on, staff will be directed to the appropriate report. Employees should be aware that if they do not complete their survey, a letter of reprimand may be placed in their personnel file.

Employees should understand that non-compliance with OPA reporting requirements may result in a failure to identify a conflict of interest. Please review the University’s Policy on Conflict of Interest and Conflict of Commitment at http://www.president.umd.edu/policies/ii310b.html.

The deadline for completion is Friday, March 1, 2019. If you have any questions, you may contact your supervisor. Any technical issues should be directed to OPA Support at opa-support@umd.edu.

• Excellence in Teaching,
• Program Director of the Year, and
• Outstanding Service to Students

The University of Maryland policy and procedures on Conflict of Interest and Conflict of Commitment require that all full-time exempt staff complete an annual report on Outside Professional Activities (OPA). The form must be completed, even if there are no outside professional activities to report. Part-time exempt staff and non-exempt staff are not required to complete an OPA report.

Exempt staff must complete the OPA report online for the period from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017. Staff may access the report at http://ares.umd.edu. Once on the ARES website, staff should go to “Quick Links” and select “Outside Professional Activities (OPA) Report.” Once logged on, staff will be directed to the appropriate report. Employees should be aware that if they do not complete their survey, a letter of reprimand may be placed in their personnel file.

Employees should understand that non-compliance with OPA reporting requirements may result in failure to identify a conflict of interest. Please review the University’s Policy on Conflict of Interest and Conflict of Commitment at http://www.president.umd.edu/policies/ii310b.html.

The deadline for completion is Friday, March 2, 2018. If you have any questions, you may contact your supervisor. Any technical issues should be directed to OPA Support at itsc@umd.edu.

USG THRIVING WORKPLACE SUMMIT

Strunk will be making a special appearance, so don’t miss it!! If you do not know who Strunk is, check out the video from last year!! Come hungry, breakfast and lunch will be served!!

As a a certified Maryland Notary Public, Brandon Smolen in the USG-HR Office can assist you with any work-related documents that require notarization. Requests for notary services for personal documents, such as mortgage or home-buying, are accepted based on availability. There is no charge for these services.

If you are an employee of the Universities at Shady Grove/University of Maryland and have suffered an injury, you should complete the Employee’s First Report of Injury. This form will initiate a Worker’s Compensation claim; additional forms at this link are required from your supervisor and any witnesses to the injury.