Our union has secured an agreement with Pitt’s administration creating a new process for faculty who are at high risk for serious illness from COVID-19, or who have household members who are at high risk. This page describes the procedure for requesting a COVID-19 work adjustment:
Step 1: Disability Resources and Services
If you are seeking a change to your working conditions due to your own health concerns, you should first consult DRS to determine if you have a “qualifying disability.” The ADA provides important rights, and it is our first line of protection. https://www.diversity.pitt.edu/disability-access/disability-resources-and-services/workplace-accommodations-employees
Step 2: Supervisor
If (1) DRS determines that you do not have a qualifying disability, or (2) if the basis of your request is for a household member or someone other than yourself, you can request an “adjustment” to your work directly from your supervisor (department chair, director, etc), using this Adjustment Request Form. It is important to note that at this stage you are asked not to submit any confidential health or personal information. (If instead DRS determines that you do have a qualifying disability but you are not offered what you believe to be an adequate accommodation, your first step should be, within 30 days, to file a grievance using the procedure here.)
Step 3: Appeal to Provost
If you and your supervisor are unable to agree on a reasonable adjustment to your work, you have the right to appeal that decision to the Provost’s office. You should send an email to faculty@pitt.eduattaching the denied Adjustment Request Form and explain why the requested adjustment is needed. At this stage you may also include medical or other confidential information that supports your request. The Office of the Provost has committed to keeping any such information confidential and will not share it with department- or school-level supervisors.
If your appeal is denied the Office of the Provost will provide you with an explanation in writing. While not all requests will be approved, the administration has committed to seeking reasonable adjustments, and to working collaboratively with you to find solutions.
Throughout this process, you will have the support of your union representatives. You can reach out for support at any time, especially if you encounter any problems during the process. You can contact a member of the Council of Representatives directly, or use this form to be connected with someone in your area here.
If your request is denied, please let your Council representative know (or you can send an email to info@pittfaculty.org). It is important for our union to monitor this process to ensure that reasonable adjustments are being approved.
Step 1: Disability Resources and Services
If you are seeking a change to your working conditions due to your own health concerns, you should first consult DRS to determine if you have a “qualifying disability.” The ADA provides important rights, and it is our first line of protection. https://www.diversity.pitt.edu/disability-access/disability-resources-and-services/workplace-accommodations-employees
Step 2: Supervisor
If (1) DRS determines that you do not have a qualifying disability, or (2) if the basis of your request is for a household member or someone other than yourself, you can request an “adjustment” to your work directly from your supervisor (department chair, director, etc), using this Adjustment Request Form. It is important to note that at this stage you are asked not to submit any confidential health or personal information. (If instead DRS determines that you do have a qualifying disability but you are not offered what you believe to be an adequate accommodation, your first step should be, within 30 days, to file a grievance using the procedure here.)
Step 3: Appeal to Provost
If you and your supervisor are unable to agree on a reasonable adjustment to your work, you have the right to appeal that decision to the Provost’s office. You should send an email to faculty@pitt.eduattaching the denied Adjustment Request Form and explain why the requested adjustment is needed. At this stage you may also include medical or other confidential information that supports your request. The Office of the Provost has committed to keeping any such information confidential and will not share it with department- or school-level supervisors.
If your appeal is denied the Office of the Provost will provide you with an explanation in writing. While not all requests will be approved, the administration has committed to seeking reasonable adjustments, and to working collaboratively with you to find solutions.
Throughout this process, you will have the support of your union representatives. You can reach out for support at any time, especially if you encounter any problems during the process. You can contact a member of the Council of Representatives directly, or use this form to be connected with someone in your area here.
If your request is denied, please let your Council representative know (or you can send an email to info@pittfaculty.org). It is important for our union to monitor this process to ensure that reasonable adjustments are being approved.
