Commonly Asked DEM Furloughs Questions

[Note: This  information was based on UW’s plan as of May 7]

In addition to the FAQs email sent to DEM on April 29, there have been a few additional questions asked related to furloughs. Additionally, you may find it useful to review the campus furlough FAQs. The four most popular DEM questions were:
  • Am I exempt or non-exempt?
    • DEM HR plans to send team members an email outlining exemption status. If you have an urgent need to clarify your exemption status, please reach out to Ann or Paula at your convenience.
    • Team members will eventually receive a letter from Campus HR outlining individualized furlough impacts.
  • What hourly increments can I take furlough?
    • Non-exempt Team member can take furlough time in 1 hour increments.
    • Exempt Team member can take furlough time in 4 or 8 hour increments.
  • How does this impact new hires?
    • If your unit hires a new team member, they will be subject to the same furlough requirements based on a prorated formula. New hires will receive this information during the hiring process.
  • Can I work on furlough days?
    • No. Furlough days are unpaid and the expectation is that team members do not work. You should not work, send work-related email, or work on UW-owned equipment while on furlough.
As always – if there are any other questions, please do not hesitate to reach out Ann or Paula.  

April 29 email [with question correction re: ETF]

Subject: DEM FAQs – Furlough Announcement   Hello DEM – You likely received the announcement from Chancellor Blank today, which provided ways in which our community will be addressing the challenging fiscal impacts due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As Derek’s email mentioned, DEM does not plan on implementing the work-share program, position-specific furloughs and reassignments. Below is information you may find useful to review regarding the campus-wide furloughs. While this is what we know as of today, information may be updated as this decision is implemented. Please refer to https://hr.wisc.edu/covid19/furlough/ for updated info. Also, with this announcement, campus did extend the use of UW COVID-19 leave until May 15, 2020. See the revised COVID-19 Pandemic Leave Policy for more information. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me, Paula or Ann. Thank you. Jeremy     Does campus have a frequently asked questions (FAQs) website? Yes. For more information regarding furlough guidelines, as well as other FAQs, please visit:  https://hr.wisc.edu/covid19/furlough/.   Who is required to take furlough days? All team members, except graduate assistant, post-doctoral, temporary and student employees and non-FTE appointments, are subject to required furloughs.   How many furlough days will I need to take?  
Total Salary 12-Month Appt.  Furlough Days 9-Month Appt.  Furlough Days
Less than $50,000 3 2
$50,000 – $80,000 4 3
$80,001-$150,000 5 4
More than $150,000 6 5
  I’m a temporary employee/graduate project assistant/student hourly team member – how does this impact me?  You are not subject to required furloughs.   Can I determine my furlough dates, or will DEM have ‘DEM Furlough Days’? Team members can determine when they take their furlough days. The division and units will not be requiring specific dates when all team members are taking a furlough. It is important to note that team members cannot take furlough days on both the day before and the day after a holiday due to the university’s legal holiday eligibility requirements.   How often can I take a furlough day? Non-exempt team members can take their furloughs at any time, including consecutive days. Exempt team members can only take eight hours of furlough in a week. It is important to note that team members cannot take furlough days on both the day before and the day after a holiday due to the university’s legal holiday eligibility requirements. If you need to clarify your exemption status, please contact Ann or Paula.   When do I need to take the furlough days? The required furlough period is between May 15 and October 31, 2020.   How do I enter furlough dates? Team members will designate their furlough days using the same scheduling and approval process they use when taking vacation leave. More information will be provided on how to submit furloughs in HRS.   I have a less than 100% appointment – how many furlough days do I need to take? Campus is still working on how to determine this. We will reach out directly to those team members that are part-time.   Can I use vacation or any other paid leave to cover my furlough days? No. These are unpaid furlough days.   How will this affect my pay? Non-exempt hourly team members will receive an incremental adjustment to their pay, in which a percentage will be taken from each pay period (May-October) to cover the furlough allocation. You will still be able to take furlough similar to how you take vacation. If you don’t take all of your furlough, your salary has already been reduced for the furlough days. Exempt team members will have pay taken out during the pay period when you take the furlough days. When you take furlough time, you will record your hours of work during that work week. If you do not use furlough time, the amount that you didn’t take will be deducted from your pay at the end of six months. If you need to clarify your exemption status, please contact Ann or Paula. Will this impact my vacation allocation? No. Team members will continue to earn, at the same rate, vacation, personal holiday, and sick leave during furlough.   Will this affect my three highest years of salary for ETF retirement purposes?

No, campus has negotiated with ETF so that furlough reduction in salary will not count when looking at your three highest years of salary.

We do not know. Campus is actively negotiating with ETF so that furlough reduction in salary will not count when looking at your three highest years of salary.

  Are more furloughs expected?  To our knowledge, no additional furloughs are being actively planned.   Is DEM planning to implement a Work-Share Program? No. DEM is not planning to implement a Work-Share Program.   Is DEM planning to reduce my hours? No. DEM is not planning to reduce hours for its team members.