Financial Challenge Mitigation FAQ

Last updated September 15, 2020

Furloughs and Unemployment

What is a “furlough?”

A furlough is a mandatory, temporary, and unpaid leave from work. While furloughed, employees are prohibited from conducting any University business. Employees will not be paid during a furlough but may apply for unemployment benefits. All employees set to be furloughed will receive detailed instructions regarding applying for unemployment insurance.

Do furloughed employees still receive benefits?

Employees who are placed on furlough will continue to receive the following benefits, at no cost to the employees as UofL will pay for both the employer and employee portion of these benefits, for the duration of the furlough period:

• Medical insurance for themselves and any currently covered dependents
• Basic life insurance
• Basic accidental death and dismemberment insurance
• Long-term disability insurance
• Long-term disability insurance buy-up
• Tuition remission (for both employees and eligible dependents)

Optional Furlough Benefits:Employees may, at their own expense, continue any of the following benefit coverages during the furlough period:

• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) – funds currently in your FSA are yours and able to be spent on medicines, etc.
• Dental
• Vision
• Additional Life
• Short-Term Disability
• Legal Services

Employees may not make contributions to their retirement plan(s) during the furlough period. Nor will the University make any contributions to the employees’ 403(b) retirement plans during the furlough period.

May an employee volunteer for a furlough? If so, who should the employee notify? Is there a deadline?

If an employee is interested in volunteering for furlough, he/she should contact their supervisor who will then communicate the request to the unit leader who will ultimately make decisions about furloughs. Despite volunteering for a furlough, the supervisor will still need to approve based upon the needs of the unit. With the additional $600 per week unemployment insurance supplement under the federal CARES Act, it is possible that during a furlough period, an employee could receive a similar or higher level of weekly compensation than from their current salary. The Weekly Unemployment Insurance Benefits Calculator can be accessed here: http://apps.kcc.ky.gov/career/WuiCalculator.aspx.

When will I receive official notification from HR regarding if I will be on furlough?

An official notification from HR will be sent via email to impacted employees no later than ONE week prior to the effective furlough date. The letter will include information regarding the unemployment process as well as benefit information. Please do not contact the unemployment office prior to receiving your letter, as the Human Resources department will be filing a mass claim on your behalf.

Which payroll deductions will automatically stop when I am furloughed?

Parking, PC loans, gym memberships, and foundation donations.

If I am furloughed, what happens next?

The University of Louisville will file a mass electronic claim for unemployment insurance on behalf of employees during this temporary furlough period. Although your claim will be submitted electronically, you still must request unemployment benefits from the unemployment office. You will receive all of the detailed instructions that you need to complete the process. Impacted employees MUST follow the directions they are provided in their furlough letters; otherwise, they are subject to a delay in receiving any payments for which they qualify.

Will the University help me apply for unemployment?

Yes. The University will provide detailed instructions to impacted employees. Furthermore, the University will file a mass electronic claim for unemployment insurance on behalf of employees during this temporary furlough. Although claims will be submitted electronically, employees must still request unemployment benefits from the unemployment office following the guidance provided by UofL. Impacted employees MUST follow the directions they are provided in their furlough letters; otherwise they are subject to a delay in receiving any payments for which they qualify. Filing claims on behalf of our employees:

• Will streamline the application process
• Includes a phone claims line dedicated to employees
• Allows employees to request/receive payment sooner than those who file individually
• Reduces the wait time of the required 13-day period that is standard for normal claims
• Allows employees to request weekly payments

Is there a one week waiting period for unemployment benefits?

No, the Governor of Kentucky has lifted the one week waiting period due to COVID-19 until further notice.

Are unemployment insurance benefits considered taxable income by the Internal Revenue Service and the Kentucky Department of Revenue?

Unemployment insurance is considered taxable income. Please refer to the KY Unemployment website for further information.https://kcc.ky.gov/Pages/COVID19-UI-Frequently-Asked-Questions.aspx

Since the University is filing an eclaim on our behalf, can I choose to have taxes withheld from my unemployment benefits?

Since the University is filing an eclaim, it will bypass the process of asking you to choose how you want taxes withheld and the system will default to not withholding taxes. However, if you want to change your withholding designation, please complete this form and send it to this mailing address:

Office of Unemployment Insurance

500 Mero Street, 4th Floor

Frankfort, Ky 40601

Will I receive one or two payments from the Kentucky unemployment office if I qualify for unemployment?

The $600 will be a separate deposit that will likely be made a few days after you receive your unemployment payment from KY. For further information, visit https://kcc.ky.gov/Pages/COVID19-UI-Frequently-Asked-Questions.aspx

Do I have to show I am applying for jobs while on unemployment?

No. There is not a work-search requirement; it has been temporarily waived by the Governor of Kentucky.

How do you determine who can be furloughed? Who makes the decision?

Vice Presidents, Deans and Vice Provosts will make the tough decisions on behalf of their units. These decisions will be based on several criteria including, but not limited to:

• Funding
• Facility/building closures
• Reductions in services and/or volume
• Reduction in work responsibilities

Are there any positions that are exempted from furloughs?

Yes, the following positions are exempted:

• Faculty
• Graduate Assistants
• House Staff (Medical and Dental Residents)

Why are faculty not eligible for furloughs?

There is no provision in the Redbook to support furloughs for faculty (as opposed to pay reductions). Many faculty are on 12-month contracts for 10 months of work. To furlough a member of the faculty would mean, arguably, that he or she would not get paid for work already performed. Faculty continue to provide instruction online and many have continued with their required research.

Will employees paid on sponsored programs be subject to University furloughs?

Vice Presidents, Deans, and Vice Provosts will make the decisions on furloughs on behalf of their units. Principal Investigators should communicate with their Dean regarding the impact of furloughs on their externally sponsored programs. Furloughs of 100% externally funded employees will not be made unless the project PI has no work for that employee and requests a furlough from the unit head.

How long could I be furloughed for?

Unit leaders will make the final determination; however, furloughs may have a defined end date or be based on individual unit and work situations. As of this writing, furloughs with a defined end date will be a minimum of two weeks and a maximum of two months. Some furloughs, without a defined end date, will indicate June 30, 2020 or July 2, 2020 as the target end date. All furloughs are subject to extension.

How many employees will be furloughed?

There is not a predetermined number of individuals at this time. Units will aim to furlough the fewest number of employees possible to meet their unit savings target.

Will furlough decisions by managers be grievable? What if I don’t think I should be furloughed?

Furlough decisions are not grievable. Speak to your immediate supervisor if you have concerns or questions.

Are there some positions that are not at risk of being furloughed?

Many positions simply may not be furloughed, even on a short-term basis. For instance, the UofL Police Department provides needed protection for the students, faculty and staff who must be on campus. In addition, some central business processing functions must be performed to maintain the continuity of operations. However, unit managers must still meet their reduction responsibilities through workforce management.

Am I guaranteed to return after furlough?

Employees will continue to be employees of the University while on furlough. Unless there is a reduction in force, the University intends to reinstate all furloughed employees.

If furloughs turn into reductions in force, will employees be eligible to apply for other positions at the University?

Yes. However, it is the hope of the University to reinstate all furloughed employees.

If an employee is slated to be furloughed, will the employee be given the opportunity to use sick or vacation time instead of state/federal benefits?

Vacation, sick and personal leave may not be paid out prior to—or during—a furlough. Moreover, vacation, sick and personal leave will not accrue during the duration of the employee furlough. Accrued leave may not be requested or used during the furlough period. If employees on furlough are not reinstated, those employees will be eligible to receive a payout of any unused vacation that has accrued up to and through the date of furlough, not to exceed 44 days.

While furloughed employees’ medical insurance will be covered by the University, how will dependents’ medical insurance be handled?

Employees who are placed on furlough will maintain their current medical benefits for themselves and for any currently covered dependents, at no cost to the employee for the duration of the furlough period. The University will also continue to pay for basic life insurance, basic AD&D and basic long-term disability, LTD buy-up insurance and tuition remission (employee and eligible dependents) for the duration of the furlough period.

May I make contributions to my retirement account while on furlough? Will UofL continue contributions to my retirement account during the furlough period?

No, furloughed employees may not make retirement account contributions while on furlough and UofL will not continue to make contributions to the retirement account of a furloughed employee during the furlough period.

Which payroll deductions will automatically stop when I am furloughed?

Parking and Foundation donations.

Will all benefits automatically be reinstated when I return from furlough?

Those benefits not covered during the furlough period will not automatically be reinstated upon return from furlough. Upon return from furlough, the benefits’ team will contact you to determine if you wish to reenroll in any of your optional benefits (i.e. dental, vision, additional life insurance, etc.).

If an employee is furloughed, will this affect the employee’s seniority date as used for retirement?

No. The furlough period will count as continuous service for purposes of retirement and seniority.

Can employees participate in any work-related activities while on furlough (e.g., call in for staff meetings, communicate with students, check-in with co-workers on work-related matters, work on projects, etc.)?

No. The University can neither engage a furloughed employee on any work-related activities during the furlough period nor can the employee elect to engage in work.

Is there a savings target from furloughs?

Yes, the University needs to recoup more than $39 million through various actions, including furloughs. The pay reductions and furloughs will generate approximately $4 million through June 30.

How long is the current federal $600 a week supplement for unemployed benefit slated to run?

The federal program has been extended to July 31, 2020.

If an employee wants to swap furlough weeks with someone else on their team, one is exempt and the other is nonexempt, can they do so?

Furlough periods may not be swapped between team members regardless of an employee’s exemption status.

Can I check my email during furlough?

Your email account will remain active during your furlough period. You may check your email; however, you may not conduct any work on behalf of the university during your furlough period. For instance, it is fine if you want to check your email for departmental or university updates during your furlough.

If my return date from a furlough falls on a UofL holiday will I get paid for the holiday even though the policy says I have to be in pay status the last scheduled day of work prior to the holiday and the first scheduled day of work after the holiday?

Yes, you will be paid for the holiday.

What do we show on our timesheets during our furlough period?

Nothing. During your furlough period, timesheets are not required.

What is the process for keeping benefits such as dental, vision or short-term disability insurance during my furlough period?

To continue dental, vision, short-term disability, etc. employees must elect the benefits they wish to continue on the form (link) provided in the furlough letter they receive. After the elections are made, the employee will be billed directly by the benefit provider or Discovery Benefits, depending on which benefits they elect to keep.

I know you will contact me prior to my return to determine if I want to reenroll in my elective benefits like dental, vision, additional life insurance, etc. Will I have to reenroll in health insurance too?

No. Your health insurance will remain active and will be paid by the university during the entire furlough period and will be active when you return.

When a staff person is on furlough and they choose certain benefits, say dental, would the cost to the employee be the same as what is normally deducted?

Yes, the rates will remain the same.

Can I enroll in dental and vision if I did not have it prior to my furlough?

No, unless you have a qualifying event. You can make changes to your pre-tax benefits within 30 days of one of these "qualifying events" and with proper documentation:

• Birth or adoption of a child
• Marriage or Divorce
• Legal Separation
• Spouse/Dependent/QA gains or loses other coverage or eligibility
• Change in your employment status (Full-time to part-time)

Other events, such as the death of a family member or relocation of qualifying family members, are also considered qualifying events. Other events may be covered as well. Please contact a benefits counselor at benefits@louisville.edu to determine what documentation is needed in that circumstance, as well as to confirm eligibility.

Will I receive a discount on my parking permit payroll deductions during my furlough period?

Furloughed employees will retain their physical parking permit. Parking permit payroll deductions for furloughed employees will stop for the months of May and June even if the employee is furloughed for a shorter period. Deductions will resume with the months of July and August but at a pro-rated amount. For example, the deduction amount for a blue permit is $30.50 but will only be $5.10 for the months of July and August.

Will I still have deductions for gym membership and my PC loan during the furlough period?

These deductions will stop during the furlough period and will begin again when you return to work.

If my last day being on a furlough is on a Thursday, do I report to work on Friday or the following Monday?

You will report to work on Friday unless Friday is a UofL holiday, in that case you will return on the following Monday.

Do I have to request payments from unemployment office each week of my furlough period?

Yes. The furlough letter you receive will outline the specific dates you should request benefit payments during your furlough period.

How do I request unemployment benefits for four furlough days (Monday – Thursday) in the week that I return to work on a Friday?

You should request benefits for Monday – Thursday of the week that you return. You must also report wages earned for the Friday of the week you returned since you will be working and earning wages on that day. If the Friday you return to work is a holiday, you must still report the holiday pay as wages earned for that week.

How much will I receive in weekly unemployment benefits?

The Kentucky Unemployment Office determines weekly benefits and eligibility. If an employee is eligible for Kentucky unemployment benefits, regardless of the amount, they will receive an additional $600 per week, which is available through the end of July. These payments will be separate and will post at least 2 days apart in your personal account or on your debit card.

Can unemployment payments be direct deposited?

Yes. If you would like to enroll in direct deposit, please do so at the time you are requesting your first benefit payment. The furlough letter you receive outlines the exact date(s) you should request your first benefit payment. When you log into your UI account, there is an option that says “Payment Method.” Click on this link to update your payment method. If you do not enroll in direct deposit the payment method defaults to a debit card.

If I want to enroll in direct deposit, (rather than the debit card) how far in advance can I do that? Can I set up an account prior to our first day of requesting a payment?

If you would like to enroll in direct deposit, please do so at the time you are requesting your first benefit payment. The furlough letter you receive outlines the exact date(s) you should request your first benefit payment. When you log into your UI account, there is an option that says “Payment Method.”

For people who were hired within the past year, what will they need to do to have income from previous employer(s) factored into unemployment? What if some of that income is from out of state?

According to the unemployment office, if someone was employed with another employer in Kentucky, those wages should be pulled to the employee’s claim automatically. The exception would be self-employment or a not-for-profit entity. If the wages were earned in another state, the unemployment office can attempt to request those be added to the employees’ claim here.

I was denied unemployment insurance in Kentucky because most of my previous work experience, during the last 18 months, was in Indiana. Will the university be filing on my behalf in Indiana?

The university filed mass E-Claims in Kentucky on behalf of our employees, but, unfortunately, Indiana does not offer the same program. Therefore, you will need to file with the Indiana unemployment office.

After logging into the unemployment system to request benefits, I received the following message, “Cannot find employer or address.” What should I do?

According to the unemployment office, when you receive this message you must notify them at UIassistance@ky.gov and UIeclaims@ky.gov informing them that you need your PIN reset. Please make sure the subject line of the email states "PIN Reset." Make sure to include your name and indicate you work for the University of Louisville in the body of the email message.

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Retirement Contribution Suspended

What changes have been made?

The university suspended its contribution to employees’ 403(b) retirement accounts, including both the 7.5% employer contribution and the 2.5% employer match, for the months of May, June and July 2020. Effective August 1, 2020, the university reinstated the employer contribution at a modified rate of 2.5% and reinstated the 2.5% employer matching contribution. Effective February 1, 2021 through June 30, 2021, the university will increase its contribution to employee retirement accounts to 6% of the employee’s salary while continuing the 2.5% employer matching contribution.

Can payments from externally sponsored programs (e.g., grants and contracts) be exempted from any retirement contribution changes?

From a sponsored-program compensation (i.e., salary and benefits) perspective, the University must treat each funding source in a consistent manner. The University cannot elect to decrease the benefits paid from one source (e.g., institutional funds) while continuing to pay at the original benefit level from a second source (e.g., a federal grant). Therefore, externally sponsored programs cannot be exempt from any changes to retirement benefits.

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Reinstatement Questions

I just returned from a furlough today and wanted to contact you to see what I need to do to get my dental and vision insurance reinstated. Are there any forms I should fill out, or specific people to contact?

When an employee returns to work, the benefits team will send them an email to confirm their benefits status.

Is there an official reinstatement letter that will be sent out to employees who were furloughed with a return date and information about returning?

Employees returning will not receive a letter upon return, however, they will receive an email from the benefits team to confirm their benefits status.

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General Questions

What steps has the University taken to lessen the financial impact of COVID-19?

The University has taken several significant steps, including:

• Implementing a unit-based savings plan to eliminate non-essential expenses
• Virtually eliminating University-sponsored travel for faculty, staff and administrators
• Implementing a hiring freeze for all but essential positions
• Transitioning the entire upcoming summer session to online delivery. This included converting more than 550 traditional, in-person summer courses to an online delivery mode and revising the pricing structure to be more affordable to our students.

If UofL qualifies for stimulus money, won’t this assist in making up for some of the deficit?

UofL is scheduled to receive approximately $12.5 million of federal stimulus funds. One half ($6.2 million) is allocated to students for emergency aid and the remaining $6.2 million will be applied to the deficits created by this situation. However, these deficits exceed the amount of stimulus funds we are scheduled to receive. We also are looking for other external sources of funding to lessen the impact on our faculty, students and staff.

Will underperforming programs be re-examined?

The current University plan does not include a re-examination of programs. Units are continually encouraged to review their programs for cost effectiveness, efficiency and quality. Moreover, units are encouraged to recommend courses of action that will result in cost savings to their appropriate Dean or Administrator.

Will employees who are subject to a reduction in force who are not of retirement age, but who are eligible for retirement due to age plus years of service, be given an opportunity to retire before termination?

Yes. However, at this time, it is the hope of the University to reinstate all furloughed employees.

Will there be an offer of early retirement?

The University does not intend to implement an early retirement program.

How do I connect with my colleagues within the university while away from campus during COVID-19?

You can continue to connect with others within the university through attending our learning cafes. To view upcoming and past learning cafes, click here.

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