COVID-19-related personal expenses
The university has received a number of questions regarding costs associated with working from home, and would like to provide guidance to all faculty and staff.
Unless a previous agreement is in place, the university does not normally reimburse employees’ home-office expenses. However, in light of exceptional circumstances during this temporary period, where personal-communication costs (e.g. Internet data and long-distance charges) may be much higher than normal due to the demands of working from home (and where service providers are not waiving these additional costs), the university will reimburse these expenses.
Note: The university continues to encourage the use of available conference call lines and video-calling platforms to minimize such costs. If you submit and/or approve expenses, please ensure these costs are incremental, reasonable and necessary in these circumstances.
Other necessary/emergency expenses, when approved in writing by a Vice-President in advance, will be allowed on exceptional occasions. As we try to limit our expenses, we thank employees for their understanding.
We recognize that there may be times when employees require additional support that the university’s current protocol does not contemplate or accommodate. If you confront a particularly difficult circumstance, or you have a Health and Safety concern, please contact your Human Resources representative for employment-related guidance and support.
As additional government programs are introduced, the university will monitor and explore how these programs may apply to our employees.
