Dear colleagues,
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through the complexities of securing leave options. We are pleased to share with you that we now have authorization to offer paid Administrative Leave for a maximum of up to eight weeks (equivalent of 40 work days or 320 hours) for each eligible employee, to be used from March 17, 2020 through September 30, 2020 or until such time that it is no longer needed. This paid Administrative Leave is designed for those who cannot work on site or telework, and its use must be approved by each individual’s supervisor in accordance with the existing paid Administrative Leave guidance.
As we anticipate the lifting of our local shelter-in-place orders, which currently extend through May 3, we are beginning to plan for a transition period in which we gradually increase our on-site staffing based on our top research, operations, and infrastructure project priorities. We don’t have concrete guidance yet from our elected officials as to when and under what conditions the shelter-in-place orders will be lifted, but it is clear we will need to be flexible and prepared for a number of scenarios. Understand that as we make these plans, the health, safety, and well-being of our employees will always be our top priority.
We invite you to learn more about our transition planning and ask questions about the Lab’s COVID-19 response at a Lab-wide town hall with Lab leadership on Tuesday, April 21 at 1:30 p.m. You can join us at streaming.lbl.gov and sign in using your Lab email address. You can submit questions in advance at communications@lbl.gov.
Finally, we know these past several weeks have been challenging as we have adapted to significant changes in how we live and work. We are grateful to be able to offer a measure of stability in a time when many are experiencing financial insecurity and other uncertainties. If you can, we urge you to reach out and help those in your communities who are in need; our COVID-19 website includes a list of community relief organizations and volunteer opportunities for your consideration.
Thank you for your hard work toward and continued focus on the Lab’s mission in these difficult circumstances.
Mike Witherell
Lab Director
Horst Simon
Deputy Lab Director, Research and Chief Research Officer
Michael Brandt
Deputy Lab Director, Operations and Chief Operating Officer