A message to the UM community, especially caregivers

The following is a message from Naomi Andrew, Vice-President (Administration):

This past weekend, the Government of Manitoba announced that K-12 schools in Winnipeg and Brandon will move to remote instruction until May 30, 2021. For those caring for school-aged children, this means trying to balance additional family needs along with normal workloads. The University of Manitoba is committed to doing its best to support you during this challenging time.

We are asking all supervisors to work with staff to support individual and family well-being while ensuring we continue university operations. We are supportive of reprioritizing and/or reassigning duties that allow the greatest amount of flexibility possible to support home learning goals.

If you need to reduce your work hours during this time, options to do so include vacation, overtime banks, voluntary days off without pay and other leaves outlined in collective agreements and university policies. You are encouraged to work out an individual plan with your supervisor.

I, along with the President and other Vice-Presidents, recognize the additional stress that many employees may be under with these home learning responsibilities. As a parent of three school-age children, I appreciate that this is an exceptional time of added stress and challenge. Please speak openly with your supervisor about your needs.

And, remember, we also have supports available through the Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP) – 24 hours a day, seven days a week:

English         1-800-387-4765
French          1-800-361-5676
OR visit online e-counselling at: www.shepellfgi.com/ecounselling

Thank you for your continued resilience. I know you have heard that so many times, but it’s true. This has been a long road and we look forward to seeing the end in the months ahead.

Best wishes to you and your loved ones,
Naomi Andrew