{"id":78,"date":"2025-02-12T18:18:31","date_gmt":"2025-02-12T18:18:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/fedpolicy\/?page_id=78"},"modified":"2025-05-14T21:38:49","modified_gmt":"2025-05-14T21:38:49","slug":"furlough-work-rule-benefits","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/budgetpolicy\/employee-resources\/furlough-work-rule-benefits\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding your furlough: work rules and benefits"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The following information is meant to support staff whose position has been placed on a furlough.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/budgetpolicy\/employee-resources\/furlough-work-rule-benefits\/#Preparing_for_your_furlough\" >Preparing for your furlough<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/budgetpolicy\/employee-resources\/furlough-work-rule-benefits\/#Important_work_rules_around_furlough\" >Important work rules around furlough<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/budgetpolicy\/employee-resources\/furlough-work-rule-benefits\/#Maintaining_UW_benefits_while_on_furlough\" >Maintaining UW benefits while on furlough<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/budgetpolicy\/employee-resources\/furlough-work-rule-benefits\/#Applying_for_unemployment\" >Applying for unemployment<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/budgetpolicy\/employee-resources\/furlough-work-rule-benefits\/#Applying_for_UW_temporary_opportunities\" >Applying for UW temporary opportunities<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/budgetpolicy\/employee-resources\/furlough-work-rule-benefits\/#Finding_another_job_while_on_furlough\" >Finding another job while on furlough<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/budgetpolicy\/employee-resources\/furlough-work-rule-benefits\/#Returning_from_furlough\" >Returning from furlough<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/budgetpolicy\/employee-resources\/furlough-work-rule-benefits\/#Finding_support\" >Finding support<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Preparing_for_your_furlough\"><\/span>Preparing for your furlough<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>During the notice period there are three important tasks for furloughed staff to complete:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Update personal email, phone number, and emergency contact information in Workday.<\/li>\n<li>Review <a href=\"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/ops\/workforce-reduction-strategies\/support-for-staff-on-furloughs\/#maintaining-uw-benefits-while-on-furlough\">Maintaining UW benefits while on furlough<\/a> for important next steps.<\/li>\n<li>Consult with UW Transportation Services regarding hold or cancellation options for parking permits.<\/li>\n<li>Check in with your manager to discuss any specific tasks to be completed or reassigned before the furlough begins.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Important_work_rules_around_furlough\"><\/span>Important work rules around furlough<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>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 <a href=\"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/coronavirus\/policy-updates\/temporary-layoff-policy\/\">temporary layoff policy.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>There are other permissible ways to connect with UW during this time. Furloughed employees may:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Stay in touch with colleagues by contacting them personally.<\/li>\n<li>Stay on top of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washington.edu\/news\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">UW news<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washington.edu\/provost\/federal-policy-updates\/\">Federal policy updates<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Follow <a href=\"https:\/\/thewholeu.uw.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Whole U<\/a> and participate in their virtual events.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Maintaining_UW_benefits_while_on_furlough\"><\/span>Maintaining UW benefits while on furlough<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>If you have not already been paid for 8 hours, <a href=\"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/ops\/workforce-reduction-strategies\/furlough-transaction-process\/\">UWHR will apply eight hours of your paid time off<\/a> on the last scheduled workday in the month; this allows you to cancel the time off request if you return to work early.<\/p>\n<p><strong>If you participate in the following optional benefits, please review important information about continuing them while on furlough:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>Auto &amp; Homeowners&#8217; 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.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Applying_for_unemployment\"><\/span>Applying for unemployment<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Unemployment benefits partially replace your regular wages when you are out of work, including while you are on furlough. See UWHR\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/ops\/ending-employment\/unemployment-benefits\/information-about-unemployment-benefits\/\">Unemployment benefits<\/a> webpage for information on how to apply and an overview of the additional unemployment benefits.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Applying_for_UW_temporary_opportunities\"><\/span>Applying for UW temporary opportunities<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Your UW experience is valuable! While you are on furlough in your current department, you may seek short-term work in <strong>other<\/strong> UW departments.<\/p>\n<p>You can explore short-term employment opportunities at the University through <a href=\"http:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/jobs\/temporary-work\/utemp-staffing-program\/\">UTemp Staffing<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Finding_another_job_while_on_furlough\"><\/span>Finding another job while on furlough<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>If you choose to resign from your current position, please communicate with your supervisor and <a href=\"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/contact-us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">your HR consultant<\/a>. 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\u2019t forget to let your supervisor know if you\u2019ve included their name as a reference.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Returning_from_furlough\"><\/span>Returning from furlough<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Finding_support\"><\/span>Finding support<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>The following contacts may be useful while on furlough:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/contact-us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Your HR consultant<\/a>: Your HR consultant can answer questions about the terms of your furlough. For campus, visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/files\/hr-contacts\/service-teams.pdf\">HR Consultant service team list<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/employeehelp.workday.uw.edu\/contact-us\/\">Employee Workday Help<\/a> for Workday or benefits questions.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.advantageengagement.com\/1669\/login_company.php\">WA EAP<\/a>: The EAP is available to PEBB-eligible employees while on furlough as well as your dependents and other household members. Learn more at <a href=\"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/worklife\/employee-assistance-program\/\">hr.uw.edu\/worklife\/employee-assistance-program<\/a>. Contact the WA EAP at 877-313-4455 24\/7 at 866-598-3978. Interpreters are available.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Understand the work rules that apply while on furlough,  benefits eligibility and return-to-work procedures.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":49,"featured_media":0,"parent":16,"menu_order":10,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"no","slim_seo":{"title":"Understanding your furlough: work rules and benefits - HR Support for Budget Reductions and Federal Policy Impacts","description":"Understand the work rules that apply while on furlough, benefits eligibility and return-to-work procedures."},"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-78","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/budgetpolicy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/78","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/budgetpolicy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/budgetpolicy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/budgetpolicy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/49"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/budgetpolicy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=78"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/budgetpolicy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/78\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/budgetpolicy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/budgetpolicy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=78"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}