Skip to content
  • News
  • Events
  • Law Library
  • Giving
  • Alumni
  • Quicklinks

    • Academic Calendar
    • bCourses Overview
    • bCourses Link
    • Business Services
    • Schedule of Classes
    • View Evaluations
    • Identity Resources
    • RoloLaw
    • COVID-19 Protocols
    • Event, Catering and Food Policy
    • Emergency Info
    • Resource Hub for Faculty & Staff

    Support

    • Reporting Potential COVID-19 Cases
    • COVID-19 Remote Teaching Resources
    • Computing Support
    • Event Services
    • Faculty Services (Library)
    • Human Resources & Academic Personnel
    • Instructional Technology
    • Phones
    • Room Reservations
    • Resources to Respond to Sexual Harassment
  • Quicklinks

    • Academic Calendar
    • b-Line
    • Berkeley Law Facebook
    • Financial Aid
    • Faculty Profiles
    • Schedule of Classes
    • Teaching Evaluations
    • Final Exam Review Session Schedule
    • Exams
    • Final Exam Schedule
    • CalCentral
    • COVID-19 Protocols
    • Event, Catering and Food Policy
    • Emergency Info
    • Resource Hub for Students

    Student Services

    • Reporting Potential COVID-19 Cases
    • Student Services Office
    • Academic Skills Program
    • Student Organizations
    • Student Journals
    • Commencement
    • Frequently Asked Questions & Rule Clarifications
    • Bookstore
    • Wellness at Berkeley Law
    • Mindfulness at Berkeley Law
    • Registrar
    • University Health Services
    • Resources to Respond to Sexual Harassment
  • Search for People at Berkeley Law

Berkeley Law
    • Academics Home
    • Areas of Study
      • Social Justice and Public Interest
        • Curriculum
          • J.D. Path
          • LL.M. Path
        • Social Justice+Public Interest Community at Berkeley Law
          • Public Interest and Pro Bono Graduation
      • Business and Start-ups
        • Business Law Curriculum
        • Business Law Faculty
      • Law and Technology
        • Student Activities
        • Law and Tech Curriculum
        • Law and Tech Faculty
      • Environmental Law
      • Criminal Justice
      • International and Comparative Law
        • Centers, Clinics, and Programs
        • Faculty
        • Student Activities
      • Constitutional and Regulatory
      • Law and Economics
        • Faculty
        • Prospective Students
        • Visiting Scholars
        • Law and Economics Fellowship
    • J.D. Program
      • First-Year Curriculum
      • Concurrent Degree Programs
      • Combined Degree Programs
      • Berkeley-Harvard Degree Programs
    • LL.M. Programs
      • LL.M. Executive Track
        • LL.M. Executive Track Academic Calendar
        • Engage with Berkeley Law Online Courses
      • LL.M. Traditional Track
        • Current Academic Calendars
      • LL.M. Thesis Track
        • LL.M. Thesis Track Student Profiles
        • Current Academic Calendars
      • Courses
      • Certificates of Specialization
      • Application & Admission
        • Eligibility & Admission Standards
        • Application Instructions
        • Admissions Policies
        • Check Application Status
      • Tuition & Financial Aid
        • Cost of Attendance
        • Scholarships
        • Financial Aid
          • Financial Aid Checklist for LL.M./J.S.D. Students
        • FAQ Financial Aid
      • Professional Development
      • Admitted Students
        • Visas
        • Housing for LL.M. Students
        • Cancellation & Refund Policies
      • Join an Event & Connect with LL.M. Staff
        • Recruiting and Informational Events
        • Visit Us!
        • Contact Us
      • Meet Our Students
      • Meet Our Partners
      • Questions? Start Here
    • Doctoral Programs
      • J.S.D. Program
        • Application & Admissions
          • Eligibility & Admission Standards
          • Application Instructions
          • Check Your Application Status
        • J.S.D. Tuition & Financial Aid
          • Cost of Attendance for JSD
          • Robbins J.S.D. Fellowship
        • J.S.D. Student Profiles
          • Zehra Betul Ayranci
          • Ella Corren
          • Silvia Fregoni
          • George Lambeth Vicent
          • Sylvia Si-Wei Lu
          • Natsuda Rattamanee
          • Youngmin Seo
          • Abdullah Alkayat Alazemi ’21
          • Mehtab Khan ’21
          • Maximilien Zahnd ’21
          • Shao-Man Lee ’20
          • Alvaro Pereira ’20
        • Contact Us
      • Ph.D. Program – Jurisprudence and Social Policy (JSP)
        • Events Calendar »
    • Executive Education
    • Schedule of Classes
      • Two Year Curriculum Plan
    • Current Academic Calendars
      • 2022-2023 Academic Calendar
      • Past Academic Calendars
        • 2021-2022 Academic Calendar
        • 2020-2021 Academic Calendar
        • 2019-2020 Academic Calendar
        • 2018-2019 Academic Calendar
        • 2017-2018 Academic Calendar
        • 2016-2017 Academic Calendar
        • 2015-2016 Academic Calendar
        • 2014-2015 Academic Calendar
        • 2013-2014 Academic Calendar
        • 2012-2013 Academic Calendar
        • 2011-2012 Academic Calendar
        • 2010-2011 Academic Calendar
        • 2009-2010 Academic Calendar
        • 2008-2009 Academic Calendar
    • Registrar
      • Order of the Coif and Dean’s List
      • Academic Rules
        • Supplemental Academic Rules for Traditional and Thesis Track LL.M. Students
        • Academic Honor Code
        • Academic Rules Petition
        • Academic Rule 3.06 – applies to the Class of 2010 and before
        • Credit Hours
      • Registration
      • Transcripts
      • Verification of Attendance
      • Registrar’s Forms
      • Ordering a Diploma »
      • J.D. Academic Guidance
        • 3L Requirements FAQ
        • 3L Degree Worksheet
      • Registrar’s Student FAQ
      • Bar Information
        • State Bar Swearing-In Ceremony Information
    • Admissions Home
    • J.D. Admissions
      • Applying for the J.D. Degree
        • Ready to Apply
        • After You’ve Applied
        • FAQs
      • Entering Class Profile
      • Connect with Admissions
        • Meet Our Team
        • View the Prospectus
        • Webinars
        • Recruiting and Information Events
        • Contact LL.M. Admissions
        • Contact J.S.P. Admissions
      • Meet Our Students
      • Diversity at Berkeley Law
        • Diversity News
      • The Berkeley Experience
        • U.C. Berkeley Campus
        • Berkeley and the Bay Area
      • Concurrent & Combined Degree Programs
      • Faculty Admissions Policy
      • Financial Aid
        • Prospective and Entering Students
          • Entering Student Registration & Financial Aid Information
          • Financial Aid for International J.D. Students
          • Financial Aid for Undocumented J.D. Students
          • Legal Resident Information
        • Types of Aid
          • Scholarships
          • Loans
          • Work-Study
        • How to Apply
          • Financial Aid Checklist & Timeline For Incoming Transfer Students
          • Financial Aid Checklist & Timeline For Entering Students
          • Financial Aid Checklist & Timeline For Continuing Students
        • Fees & Cost of Attendance
          • Cost of Attendance Adjustments
        • PDST-Increase Offset Awards (PIOAs)
        • Forms
        • Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP)
          • LRAP Eligibility Guidelines
          • LRAP Eligibility Calculator
          • How to Apply for LRAP
          • LRAP Application Forms
          • Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
          • News & Updates
          • LRAP FAQs
        • Info Sessions & Presentations
        • Financial Literacy
        • Financial Aid – J.D. Concurrent Degree Programs
        • FAQ & Glossary
        • Requesting a Financial Aid Award for a Student
        • About Our Team
      • Outreach Partnerships
      • Admitted Students – First-Year »
      • Admitted Students – Transfer & Visitor Status »
      • For Current Berkeley Law Students
      • Admissions Policies
      • ABA Required Disclosures »
      • Our Role in Dismantling Systemic Racism
    • LL.M. Admissions
    • J.S.D. Admissions
    • Ph.D. (JSP) Admissions
    • Visiting Scholar and Visiting Student Researcher Admissions
    • Faculty & Research Home
    • Faculty Experts by Topic
    • Faculty Profiles
    • Deans Emeritus Lecturers
    • Recent Faculty Scholarship
    • Awards and Honors
    • Faculty in the News
    • Featured Research
    • Centers, Institutes & Initiatives
    • Experiential Home
    • Clinical Program
      • Apply to the Clinics
      • Death Penalty Clinic
        • About the Clinic
          • Faculty and Staff
          • Alumni
        • Clinic News
        • Projects and Cases
          • Death Penalty Clinic Amicus Curiae Briefs
          • Whitewashing the Jury Box: How California Perpetuates the Discriminatory Exclusion of Black and Latinx Jurors
        • Information for Students
        • Resources and Publications
          • Capital Defense Internships and Jobs
        • Donate to the Clinic
      • East Bay Community Law Center
      • Environmental Law Clinic
        • About the Clinic
        • Information for Students
        • Newsletters
        • Clinic News
        • Student Voices
        • Faculty and Staff
        • Alumni
        • Donate to the Clinic
      • International Human Rights Law Clinic
        • About the Clinic
          • Alumni
          • Faculty and Staff
        • Clinic News
        • Projects and Cases
          • Accountability and Transitional Justice
          • Promoting Human Rights in the United States
          • A Rights-Based Approach to Combating Poverty: Economic, Social & Cultural Rights
          • Counter-Terrorism and Human Rights
        • Independent Investigation of the Murder of Berta Cáceres
        • Living with Impunity: Unsolved Murders in Oakland and the Human Rights Impact on Victims’ Family Members
        • A New Border Vision
        • Who Will Be Left to Defend Human Rights? Persecution of Online Expression in the Gulf and Neighboring Countries
        • Resources and Publications by Focal Area
        • Information for Students
          • Student Self-Reflection
        • IHRLC 20th Anniversary
        • Donate to the Clinic
      • New Business Community Law Clinic
        • About the Clinic
        • Information for Students
        • Our Work
        • Services to California’s Central Valley
        • New Businesses
        • Events
        • Apply for Services
        • Donate to the Clinic
        • 2014 Fall Startup Workshop Series
      • Policy Advocacy Clinic
        • About Us
        • People
        • Clinic News
        • Juvenile Fee Abolition in California
          • COVID-19 Action on Juvenile Fees
        • Resources and Publications
        • Information for Students
        • Donate to the Clinic
      • Samuelson Law, Technology & Public Policy Clinic
        • About
          • Faculty and Staff
          • Clinic Alumni
          • Partners
        • Clinic News
        • Our Work
        • Information for Students
      • Clinical Program Annual Report
        • Annual Report Archive
      • The Brian M. Sax Prize for Excellence in Clinical Advocacy
        • Brian M. Sax
        • Recipients
    • Pro Bono Program
      • The Pro Bono Pledge
        • Definition of Pro Bono
      • Log Your Pro Bono Hours
        • Definition of Pro Bono
      • Student-Initiated Legal Services Projects (SLPS)
        • How To Apply
        • Current Student-Initiated Legal Services Projects
          • Animal Law and Advocacy
          • Arts and Innovation Representation
          • Berkeley Abolitionist Lawyering Project
          • Berkeley Immigration Group
          • Berkeley Law Anti-Trafficking Project
          • Berkeley Law and Organizing Collective
          • California Asylum Representation Clinic
          • Clean Energy Leaders In Law
          • Consumer Protection Public Policy Order
          • Contra Costa Reentry Project
          • DA Accountability & Participatory Defense Project
          • Digital Rights Project
          • Disability Rights Project
          • East Bay Dreamers Project
          • Environmental Conservation Outreach
          • Food Justice Project
          • Foster Education Project
          • Free The Land Project
          • Gun Violence Prevention Project
          • Homelessness Service Project
          • International Human Rights Workshop
          • International Refugee Assistance Project
          • La Alianza Workers’ and Tenants’ Rights Clinic
          • Legal Automation Workshop
          • Legal Obstacles Veterans Encounter
          • Name and Gender Change Workshop
          • Native American Legal Assistance Project
          • Palestine Advocacy Legal Assistance Project
          • Police Review Project
          • Political and Election Empowerment Project
          • Post-Conviction Advocacy Project
          • Reentry Advocacy Project
          • Reproductive Justice Project
          • Startup Law Initiative
          • Survivor Advocacy Project
          • Tenants’ Rights Workshop
          • Wage Justice Clinic
          • Workers’ Rights Clinic
          • Workers’ Rights Disability Law Clinic
          • Youth Advocacy Project
        • How to Start a New SLP
        • Inactive Student-Initiated Legal Services Projects
          • AI Legal Workshop
          • Berkeley Immigration Law Clinic
          • Berkeley Students in Support of Arts and Innovation
          • Civil Rights Outreach Project (CROP)
          • Community Restorative Justice Project
          • Juvenile Hall Outreach
          • Karuk-Berkeley Collaborative Legal
          • Local Economies and Entrepreneurship Project
          • Prisoner Advocacy Network
        • SLPS Champions
      • Berkeley Law Alternative Service Trips (BLAST)
        • Current Berkeley Law Alternative Service Trips (BLAST)
          • Atlanta
          • Central Valley
          • Hawaii
          • Mississippi
        • Inactive Berkeley Law Alternative Service Trips
          • Kentucky
          • Los Angeles
          • South Texas
          • Tijuana
      • Call for Necessary Engagement in Community & Timely Response (CNECT)
        • Berkeley Law Afghanistan Project
        • Current & Past CNECT Partners
          • Hub for Equity in Administrative Representation
          • Racial Justice Legal Research Bank Project
        • CNECT News
      • Independent Projects
      • Opportunities for LL.M. Students
      • Supervising Attorneys
      • Pro Bono Spotlights
        • Malak Afaneh ’24
        • KeAndra Hollis ’24
        • Maripau Paz ’24
        • Lucero Cordova ’23
        • Bharti Tyagi ’21
        • Benji Martinez ’23
        • Will Morrow ’23
        • Stephanie Clemente ’23
        • Francesco Arreaga ’21
        • Armbien Sabillo ’21
        • Kelsey Peden ’21
        • Jennifer Sherman ‘22
        • Professor Khiara M. Bridges
        • Professor Kristen Holmquist
      • Awards
      • Law Firm Pro Bono Programs
      • New York Bar Pro Bono Requirement
      • For Public Interest & Pro Bono Providers
    • Professional Skills Program
      • Legal Research, Analysis, and Writing Program
      • Elective Skills Courses
      • Advocacy Competitions Program
        • Tryout Procedures
        • Student Eligibility & How to Contact Us
        • Internal Competitions
          • McBaine Honors Moot Court
          • Halloum Negotiations Competition (Spring)
          • Halloum Business Competition (Fall)
          • Bales Trial Competition
          • Pahlke Internal Trial Competition (PINT)
          • The Pircher, Nichols & Meeks Joint Venture Challenge
        • External Competitions
          • Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Team
          • Moot Court Team
          • Trial Team
        • Writing Competitions
        • 2021 ABA Negotiation Competition
        • Travel Reimbursements
        • Our Supporters
    • Field Placement Program
      • Testimonials
      • Judicial Externships
      • Civil Field Placements
      • Criminal Field Placements
      • Away Field Placements
        • Berkeley Law in The Hague
        • INHR Program
        • UCDC Law Program
      • For Supervisors and Host Organizations
        • BACE: Bay Area Consortium on Externships
      • How to Apply
      • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Startup@BerkeleyLaw
      • Law Students
      • Entrepreneurs
        • Resources
        • How to Start a Startup @ Cal
        • FORM+FUND
          • FORM+FUND Fall 2020 Video Library
          • FORM+FUND Fall 2021 Video Library
          • FORM+FUND Spring 2021 Video Library
        • BerkeleyBase
        • Startup Law Initiative
      • Investors
    • Domestic Violence Law Practicum
      • About the Director
      • How to Apply
      • Companion Seminar
      • Former Students
      • Impact of DVP
      • Domestic Violence Field Placement Internships
      • News
      • Photos
      • Student Writing
    • Veterans Law Practicum
    • Careers Home
    • For J.D. Students
      • Appointments and Drop-in Hours
      • Private Sector Careers
        • Explore Private Sector Careers
        • Find Private Sector Jobs
          • 2022 OCI: EIW & FIP
          • OCI Alternatives
          • SIP – Spring 2022
      • Public Interest Careers
        • Explore Public Interest
        • Find Public Interest Jobs
          • PI/PS Interviewing Resources
          • Using Interview Programs to Land Your 1L Summer Job
          • Post-Graduate Public Interest Fellowships
          • CDO PIPS Videos
        • Finance Your Public Interest Career
          • Summer Funding for PI/PS Internships & Judicial Externships
          • Berkeley Law Bridge and Public Interest Fellowships
      • Public Sector Careers
        • Federal Government Careers
        • State & Local Government Careers (incl. CA)
        • Careers in Policy/Politics
      • Judicial Clerkships
        • Application Instructions and Materials
        • OSCAR Resources
        • Clerkship and Interview Evaluations
        • Other Clerkship Resources
        • Videos of Clerkship Programs
        • State Court Resources
      • Judicial Externships
      • Academic Careers
        • FAQ
        • Further Reading
        • Alumni Contacts
        • Links
        • Webcasts
      • Alternative Careers
    • For LL.M. Students
    • For Employers
      • Berkeley Law Recruiting Policies
      • Employer Resources for Virtual Internship Programs
      • Non Discrimination and Non Harassment Policies
      • Grading Policy
      • Interview Programs
      • Posting Job Listings
      • Reaching Berkeley Law J.D. Students
    • PSJD »
    • For Alumni
      • Enrichment Opportunities for Recent Grads
      • CDO Online Resources
      • Alumni Resource Collection
      • Help the CDO
      • For Recent Graduate Job-Seekers
    • About CDO
      • CDO Staff News
    • Career Resource Library
    • Employment Outcomes
      • Employment Statistics
      • Judicial Clerkship Placement Statistics
      • 2018 Clerkship Yearbook
  • Racial Justice
Home Articles COVID-19 “All Staff FAQ” from Staff Return to the Workplace Committee

“All Staff FAQ” from Staff Return to the Workplace Committee

  • Share article on Facebook
  • Share article on Twitter
  • Share article on LinkedIn
  • Email article

From: Staff Return to the Workplace Committee

Date: Friday, July 9, 2021

Please see below for the latest updates to our frequently asked questions. Is there a question missing from here that you would like answered? E-mail RTW@law.berkeley.edu with any questions or suggestions.

What is the timeline for returning to work and submitting our schedules?

July 30 is the deadline for turning in department staffing plans to Law HR (Khatera Ahrary). Though the majority of the University of California has designated an earlier return date, the default return to work date for Law School staff members will be August 16th because that is when we are requiring students to be in the building. Staff may choose to return to the workplace earlier, but departments should view the summer as a transitional time to prepare for the shift. Telecommuting agreements will be required for staff members who will not be working on campus five days per week, although the format is still pending for represented employees

What’s going to happen at the end of fall semester?

The fall is the chance for us to try out the 3/2 schedule, and we will be evaluating the successes and challenges encountered after the semester is over. The Return to Workplace Committee will be conducting an intermediate evaluation of this work structure in October. 

I’m confused about extraordinary circumstances, and how they are different from accommodations.  Does it have to be an extraordinary circumstance to implement a flexible schedule?

The presumptive  baseline is scheduling three days per week on-campus, with the opportunity of two days’ workplace flexibility. This is not intended to limit managers’ historic discretion with flexible scheduling. Likewise, it should be treated separately from the campus processes for medical accommodations. Extraordinary circumstances apply only to requests for changes to the baseline 3/2 schedule for reasons other than campus-mediated accommodations.

The flexibility options mentioned relate to different ways to think about work scheduling within the 3/2 schedule policy. Some examples that may be helpful:

  • As has always been the case, there are times when staff arrange to work from home to maximize effectiveness on specific projects or seasonal commitments as long as it is possible to do so without affecting the level of service provided to students. Some examples may be admissions application review season, or other precise projects. These would be eligible for extraordinary circumstances approval.
  • If a staff member’s role is essential to the in-person functioning of the law school, that would be an extraordinary circumstance requiring greater in-building presence. Possible examples of such roles may be building maintenance or departments that require more on-campus staffing in their space.
  • If space constraints prevent full departmental on-campus work, that would be an extraordinary circumstance. An example is a center with more staff than available space providing rotating/hoteling workstations.

When can we hold events again?

The Law School is taking a phased approach to resuming events with 200 or fewer attendees. Per campus policy, events with more than 200 attendees must remain online until further notice. 

    • Now: Events open only to staff, students, and faculty are permitted.
    • August 16 – September 6: During this time, student organizations and journals can reserve rooms and meet.  Also, academic-related events and meetings can occur.  For example, meetings of the Academic Skills Program, SLPS, and competitions will be allowed.  Outside speakers will not be permitted during this time (though those working directly with students, such as SLPS advisors and competitions coaches will be allowed to do so in the building.)
  • September 7 – October 3: The building will open to everyone during regular business hours.  In addition to the meetings described above, student-facing events will be allowed.  For example, centers may do programs for students.  Outside speakers are permitted for this purpose.   But conferences or meetings where Berkeley law students or faculty are not the primary audience will not yet be permitted within the Law School.
  • October 4 – end of the semester: We plan to resume regular events, consistent with public health directives as well as the availability of space and staffing.  

Our room reservation system is not yet open for the Fall semester.  We expect it to be open for conditional reservations towards the end of July. 

Please be aware that the public health and safety rules related to food service, space use, or who is permitted to be on campus or in the building can change quickly.  The Law School does not control these rules and must comply with campus requirements.  Campus advises that if you are planning an event that involves high financial risk — such as contracting for food service, hotel rooms, purchasing plane tickets — that you wait to schedule events until there is more clarity about regulatory requirements and new social norms related to the next phase of our response to the pandemic.

When will Cafe Zeb reopen?

Cafe Zeb is planning to reopen on August 16th.

How is Parking and Transportation handling the return to the workplace? 

The campus Parking & Transportation office has announced the following updates to their policies:

Parking options

Parking & Transportation has transitioned most employee and student parking permits to a virtual format associated with vehicle license plates, which are paperless and stickerless. You can purchase a variety of parking permits (daily, monthly, and annual permits) through your My P&T Online parking account or use the PayByPhone mobile app to purchase hourly parking and daily parking (at employee and student rates).

Parking & Transportation also offers to eligible employees payroll deduction programs for parking and transit benefits, allowing you to save money on your commuting expenses through pre-tax payroll deductions. Parking deductions can be used to purchase annual and daily permits, PayByPhone and BART parking, and more. Transit deductions can be used to purchase Clipper Card fares to ride AC Transit, BART, and most Bay Area transit agencies, in addition to Amtrak and other transit providers. (Monthly transit orders of $30.00 or more receive a $10.00 monthly incentive subsidy.)

Transit Options

Studies have shown that masks and ventilation on transit vehicles and at stations have slowed transmission of the virus. Additionally, the Bay Area transit agencies (such as AC Transit, BART, MUNI and many more) have developed health and safety measures to protect riders through thorough cleaning and sanitizing at high touch points, improved ventilation using high quality filters, and real-time passenger information to see how crowded vehicles are. Read more about what local transit agencies are doing to protect riders throughout the entire Bay Area as the state continues to reopen.

####

____

From: Staff Return to the Workplace Committee
Date: Thursday, June 24, 2021

We have made an effort to answer frequently asked questions below. If you have any questions or concerns that are not addressed here, please contact RTW@law.berkeley.edu. If you’d like to see a breakdown of the staff survey results, please click here: Results from Staff Survey for Returning to the Workplace. 

How is the Law School defining “equity” in the return-to-workplace process?

The Return to Workplace Committee has used the following definition: “Equity in the workplace requires equal access to opportunities, and equal support to perform job functions.” This will not necessarily entail identical workplace flexibility for every staff member, or even every member of a single unit, but it does require that a similar baseline be referenced in making workplace flexibility decisions. 

I am a represented employee – which of these policies relate to me?

The University of California is still in negotiations with union representatives, and supervisors are not able to enter into formal flexible work agreements with represented staff members until those negotiations are resolved. We recommend that you stay in touch with your union representative for updates, and we will update this page as additional guidance becomes available.

How is the Law School taking into account the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on BIPOC staff members?

Managers are being encouraged to take a people-centric approach in developing unit schedules, with particular reference to guidance from the University Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging.

What is an “extraordinary circumstance” meriting a different work structure than the baseline recommendation of three days on-campus per week?

Berkeley Law is an institution dedicated to delivering excellent in-person education, which at the present time requires that the majority of staff roles be performed on-campus at least three days per week. We understand, though, that a minority of staff roles at the Law School will require a greater or lesser presence in the building to perform their job functions effectively. These are the roles covered by ‘extraordinary circumstances.’ So if a staff member and their supervisor agree that their productivity or effectiveness is enhanced by remote work, that would be an extraordinary circumstance requiring greater workplace flexibility. Likewise, if a staff member’s role is essential to the in-person functioning of the law school, that would be an extraordinary circumstance requiring greater in-building presence than the baseline recommendation. Managers should submit requests to accommodate extraordinary circumstances along with their return-to-workplace plan.

Extraordinary circumstances meriting greater workplace flexibility should not be conflated with medical accommodations or other pre-existing University accommodation processes.

What if I require medical accommodations, whether for myself or a member of my household?

Staff members who have been instructed to return to work on-site and have concerns about doing so due to a medical condition that places them in a higher risk group, those who are pregnant, or those who wish to seek ADA Reasonable Accommodations related to Returning to the Workplace should first consult with their supervisor. Other resources for the reasonable accommodation process include People & Culture for staff and faculty/staff disability management.

If a staff member is experiencing anxiety that interferes with their ability to perform their job on the schedule approved by their manager, they are encouraged to explore whether medical accommodations would be appropriate.  

The Employee Assistance Program can also be a good resource: https://uhs.berkeley.edu/bewellatwork/employee-assistance 

Are there flexible work arrangements that are possible aside from just two days a week working remotely?

Yes; we understand that taking full days of workplace flexibility may not be the most helpful accommodation for every staff member. Staff members should discuss particular needs with their managers and are encouraged to come up with creative solutions where they can be accommodated with operational needs, which can be submitted as a part of the unit’s return-to-workplace plan.

What if my childcare (or other dependent care) cannot begin before my designated return-to-workplace date?

Managers are encouraged to work with staff members to provide necessary flexibility. This should be treated using the guidelines outlined above.

Will there be accommodations for staff members who have moved away from the Law School and have an expensive and/or unduly time-consuming commute?

Managers may take into consideration (where possible given the operational needs of the Law School) commute issues when determining start and end times. Greater flexibility can and should be handled as an extraordinary circumstance as outlined above.

Does the building have adequate ventilation and safety measures in place?

Building safety is governed by Cal/OSHA guidelines, and is implemented by the central campus.

Can I bring in my own PPE equipment such as HEPA filter/air purifiers?

The Law School has purchased limited PPE items for use by staff throughout the building.  Please reach out to facilities@law.berkeley.edu with any particular requests before purchasing things for yourself or your unit.

Will masks be required in the Law Building?

We are requiring masks in the Law Building at this time.

What if I do not wish to be vaccinated?

The University of California Office of the President is moving forward with a policy that will require COVID-19 vaccinations for students, faculty, and staff absent approved accommodations for medical circumstances or sincere religious belief. If the proposed policy is adopted as drafted, faculty, academic appointees and staff who choose not to be immunized and who do not receive an approved medical exemption or religious belief exception may be limited in accessing UC facilities. More information is available here. 

How will I know whether people in the Law Building are vaccinated?

You will not know, and no one is allowed to ask another person. There are privacy issues at play and we all must be mindful of that.  However, the University of California Office of the President is moving forward with a policy that will require COVID-19 vaccinations for students, faculty, and staff absent approved accommodations for medical circumstances or religious belief. If you are vaccinated and do not have a particular health concern, then current public health guidelines do not require restrictions on contact with unvaccinated individuals.

Will the Law Building be open to the public? 

The Law Building and the rest of campus will open up to the public on September 7.  

###

06/24/2021

News

  • Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information
    • Berkeley Law COVID-19 Protocols
    • Event, Catering and Food Policy
  • Transcript Magazine
    • Transcript Archive
      • Transcript Spring 2021 Online Edition
      • Transcript Fall 2020 Online Edition
      • Transcript Spring 2020 Online Edition
      • Transcript Fall 2019 Online Edition
      • Transcript Spring 2019 Online Edition
      • Transcript Fall 2018 Online Edition
      • Transcript Spring 2018 Online Edition
      • Transcript 2017 Online Edition
      • Transcript 2016 Online Edition
  • Podcasts
  • On Display
  • Media Highlights
  • News Archive
    • 2022 Archive
    • 2021 Archive
    • 2020 Archive
    • 2019 Archive
    • 2018 Archive
    • 2017 Archive
    • 2016 Archive
    • 2015 Archive
    • 2014 Archive
    • 2013 Archive
    • 2012 Archive
    • 2011 Archive
    • 2010 Archive
    • 2009 Archive
    • 2008 Archive
    • 2007 Archive
    • 2006 Archive
    • 2005 Archive
    • News Briefs
    • Alumni Newsletter
  • Trailblazing Women
  • Social Media
  • Communications Office
    • Identity Resources
      • Ordering Printed Supplies
    • Media Release Form
  • Law School Images »
Berkeley Law
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Flickr
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • About
  • Getting Here
  • Contact Us
  • Job Openings
  • ABA Required Disclosures
  • Feedback
  • For Employers
  • Accessibility
  • Nondiscrimination
  • Privacy Policy
  • UC Berkeley

© 2022 UC Regents, UC Berkeley School of Law, All Rights Reserved.

Notice – Berkeley Law COVID-19 Protocols