Understanding your furlough: work rules and benefits
The following information is meant to support staff whose position has been placed on a furlough.
Preparing for your furlough
During the notice period there are three important tasks for furloughed staff to complete:
- Update personal email, phone number, and emergency contact information in Workday.
- Review Maintaining UW benefits while on furlough for important next steps.
- Consult with UW Transportation Services regarding hold or cancellation options for parking permits.
- Check in with your manager to discuss any specific tasks to be completed or reassigned before the furlough begins.
Important work rules around furlough
A furlough is a period of unpaid time away from work. It is important that furloughed employees do not work, whether paid or voluntary. While furloughed employees may receive and respond to emails related to their return-to-work plan with your supervisor or emails related to UW benefits, they are prohibited from performing regular work duties and should not be responding to work emails or accessing systems or otherwise performing work. For many dedicated employees, this is one of the hardest parts of being on furlough. This rule is strictly enforced because it is based in employment law. For more information about work rules, review the temporary layoff policy.
There are other permissible ways to connect with UW during this time. Furloughed employees may:
- Stay in touch with colleagues by contacting them personally.
- Stay on top of UW news and Federal policy updates.
- Follow The Whole U and participate in their virtual events.
Maintaining UW benefits while on furlough
Your UW benefits will be maintained by applying 8 hours of paid time each month, including paid holiday hours. While you are on furlough, you will continue to be paid for UW holidays and accrue sick and vacation time off.
If your furlough begins during a month that you have already been paid for 8 hours, no additional action is necessary for benefits continuation that month.
If you have not already been paid for 8 hours, UWHR will apply eight hours of your paid time off on the last scheduled workday in the month; this allows you to cancel the time off request if you return to work early.
If you participate in the following optional benefits, please review important information about continuing them while on furlough:
Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Healthcare Savings Account (HSA): Medical FSA or HSA deductions will continue while on furlough if you have 8 hours of holiday or other time off pay. You can continue filing claims for reimbursement while on furlough.
Optional life insurance: MetLife will mail a bill to your home address after they are unable to collect premiums for your MetLife optional life insurance participants after 3 pay cycles.
Optional long-term insurance (LTD): Premiums are deducted based on actual eligible salary as it is paid. So, if you have 8 hours of holiday or other time off pay while on furlough, LTD will be deducted from your eligible pay. Otherwise, no premiums are required during furlough.
Auto & Homeowners’ insurances: Contact Liberty Mutual to let them know you are on furlough and request that they bill you at your home address. Payroll deductions will resume when you return to pay status.
Applying for unemployment
Unemployment benefits partially replace your regular wages when you are out of work, including while you are on furlough. See UWHR’s Unemployment benefits webpage for information on how to apply and an overview of the additional unemployment benefits.
Applying for UW temporary opportunities
Your UW experience is valuable! While you are on furlough in your current department, you may seek short-term work in other UW departments.
You can explore short-term employment opportunities at the University through UTemp Staffing.
Finding another job while on furlough
We understand that you may seek new job opportunities either at UW or elsewhere while you are on furlough. Please know that UWHR and your department understand your need for secure and ongoing employment.
If you choose to resign from your current position, please communicate with your supervisor and your HR consultant. Your supervisor will work with you to complete necessary resignation steps. We want you to have a successful start in your next position, whether here at UW or elsewhere, so don’t forget to let your supervisor know if you’ve included their name as a reference.
Returning from furlough
You are expected to return to work on the date specified in your furlough notification letter. If your department can end the furlough earlier than anticipated, they will notify you of the return to work date as soon as it is known, using the contact info you have provided.
Finding support
The following contacts may be useful while on furlough:
- Your HR consultant: Your HR consultant can answer questions about the terms of your furlough. For campus, visit the HR Consultant service team list.
- Employee Workday Help for Workday or benefits questions.
- WA EAP: The EAP is available to PEBB-eligible employees while on furlough as well as your dependents and other household members. Learn more at hr.uw.edu/worklife/employee-assistance-program. Contact the WA EAP at 877-313-4455 24/7 at 866-598-3978. Interpreters are available.