COVID-19 Update: Remote Work Encouraged Beginning Monday

Beginning on Monday, March 16, all employees who are able to work from home should do so. Students employees should not report to work on Monday.

By The Office of Marketing and Communications

March 15, 2020 | 6:30 p.m.

This morning, Governor Tim Walz announced the closure of all public K-12 schools in Minnesota through at least March 27. In light of this news, Bethel has made the following decisions: 

All employees should observe the following guidance beginning Monday, March 16:

  1. Employees who can do their work from home should do so. 
  2. Employees who can do part of their work from home should plan to work from home and discuss how to handle the remainder of their time with their supervisor. 
  3. Employees who need to be on campus to do their work should practice social distancing.
  4. Employees who are sick should stay home. 
  5. Employees who need to stay home to care for their families should do so.  

All employees will be paid for their normally scheduled days regardless of schedule changes and disruptions due to COVID-19. This includes Bethel-initiated schedule changes as well as changes for your health and the care of others. Employees should communicate their plans with their supervisor. Supervisors should contact their direct supervisor or Cabinet member with questions about schedules.

All student employees should not report to work on Monday. Further information will be communicated by the Office of Human Resources.

At this time, all university buildings will remain open. However, it is important to note that certain offices may only be available virtually as a result of remote work.

We recognize that school closures and remote working arrangements raise questions and challenges for many of you. While we have not yet determined an end date for remote working arrangements, we will be working with supervisors and others across the university tomorrow to provide further details regarding remote work. 

We are choosing to take these precautionary measures for the safety and wellbeing of the entire Bethel community. Because the situation is evolving on a day-by-day basis, please continue to monitor your Bethel email and bethel.edu/covid-19 for the latest information.