COVID-19 Resources for UAB Employees

Explore resources from UAB Human Resources below designed to help UAB employees and their families through the emerging and ongoing public health issues surrounding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Visit uab.edu/coronavirus for the latest COVID-19 updates from UAB.

UAB United | Resources for Managers

UAB United

UAB is transitioning from the university’s Limited Business Model into Modified Business Operations. The university's entry website provides details on UAB's entry plan, as we strive to preserve the health of our university community and Birmingham. For more information, visit uab.edu/uabunited.
Campus Entry Resources for Managers

Resources for Returning to Campus
- COVID-19 Exposure Response Protocol: Checklist and policies for supervisors if an employee or student becomes symptomatic or tests positive for COVID-19.
- Telecommuting Checklist for Leaders: A guideline/procedural checklist to assist leaders in extending telecommuting requests.
- Furloughed Employee Return to Work Form: Request for return of a furloughed employee to active status prior to the end of the furlough period.
- Campus Entry Safety Training: Instructions for completing the COVID-19 Basic Safety & Awareness Course.
- What is UAB Healthcheck: Instructions for reporting COVID-19 symptoms and exposure history with UAB Healthcheck.
Preparing for Campus Entry
- Ten Tips for Supervisors for a Successful Return to Campus: Things won't be the same. Here are the essentials to keep people safe, understand your resources, live the UAB Shared Values and put empathy into action.
- UAB Re-entry Guide for Supervisors: General guidance for supervisors as employees begin to transition from limited business operations to campus re-entry.
- Re-entry Readiness: Guidelines and template for developing an operational plan for re-entry to campus.
Re-entry Dashboards
- Re-entry Dashboard: Org Admins
- Re-entry Dashboard: Supervisors
UPDATE: Medical Plan Coverage for COVID-19

As concerns over the spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) grow, we want to inform you of the steps Viva Health, Blue Cross Blue Shield and UAB have taken to remove barriers to appropriate testing and care. For details on current COVID-19 coverage for the Viva Health and Blue Cross Blue Shield medical plans, please see below.

COVID-19 Updates for VIVA Health (PDF) | COVID-19 Updates for BCBS (PDF)

2019 FSA Filing Deadline Extended

Employees who participated in a 2019 healthcare flexible spending account will now have until September 30 to file any eligible 2019 claims. The deadline has been extended from April 30 in order to provide additional leeway due to the ongoing COVID-19 impact. Any 2019 claim must be filed by September 30 in order to be reimbursed. You may file your claims directly with Payflex online at payflex.com. If you have any questions, you may reach PayFlex direct at 1-844-PAYFLEX or the benefits department at benefits@uab.edu.

See FSA Claim Filing Deadline Extension Notice (PDF) for more information.

Voluntary 403(b) Employer Match Suspension

As our limited business operations model continues, it has become necessary to announce a benefit program change to help address the financial impacts of COVID-19.

After consultation with the Board of Trustees, as well as campus and medicine leadership, UAB has made the difficult decision to temporarily suspend the voluntary retirement 403(b) employer match program. The UA System 403(b) employer match will be suspended beginning in May 2020 through September 2020. The UAB Hospital Management LLC 403(b) employer match will be suspended May 2020 through December 2020. This measure is being implemented across the UA System entities and will provide essential cost savings in addition to the other measures that have been implemented.

You are not required to take any action related to this change. A list of common FAQs may be found here to address any questions you may have related to this decision. Any additional questions can be directed to the Benefits office directly at benefits@uab.edu.

Stop Dependent Care FSA deductions if your daycare has closed or daycare needs have changed

If your daycare has closed or your daycare needs have changed, you can cancel or adjust your dependent care FSA account. You would also be able to restart your contributions once the daycare reopens. To make the change submit a life event in the UAB for Me portal at uab.edu/hrintouch.

CARES Act updates to voluntary retirement plans offer economic relief

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act recently passed by Congress offers some relief from the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic through updates to voluntary retirement plans. For details and eligibility requirements, visit TIAA's online CARES Act guide or refer to UAB Benefits Office guidance for University of Alabama System participants to learn more.

Virtual counseling appointments with a TIAA consultant are available by phone and virtual meeting. A TIAA financial consultant can direct you to important information on the CARES Act and help you review your asset allocation strategy to determine if it is in line with your future goals. Go to UAB TIAA Virtual Meetings to schedule an appointment.

TIAA Virtual Counseling (PDF) | CARES Act Provisions affecting Retirement Plans (PDF)

CARES Act to allow over-the-counter (OTC) drugs and medicines without prescription

As part of the CARES Act signed into law March 27, 2020, participants in the Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) can now purchase the following products:
1. This law allows patients to use Health Savings Account (HSA), Heath Reimbursement Arrangements (HRA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) funds to purchase over-the-counter (OTC) drugs and medicines, including those needed in quarantine and social distancing, without a prescription from a physician.
2. This law also adds feminine hygiene products to the list of eligible over-the-counter items.
These OTC changes are effective for expenses incurred after December 31, 2019, and do not have an expiration date. For members using their PayFlex debit card for newly eligible OTC items, the purchase is typically “verified as eligible or not” at the point of sale using Inventory Information Approval System (IIAS) when paying for eligible items at various locations or online. Given the new legislation, members should allow time for the debit card system to update. Updating the card system isn’t something PayFlex manages or has control over. If the PayFlex debit card doesn’t work at time of purchase, members can pay out of pocket and request reimbursement from their PayFlex account funds.
Fitness at Home | Healthy Eating | Preventative Steps

Find wellness resources below to help keep you and your family healthy at home. For more, join My Health Rewards or visit UAB Employee Wellness online.

Fitness at Home
- At Home Workouts: 100+ free exercise videos from fitness coach Les Mills provided by UAB Recreation
- Deskercise: 20 ways to get moving while you work (PDF)
- Physical Activity Breaks Resource Guide (PDF): Recommended by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
- Virtual Yoga: UAB EACC Gentle Yoga instructor's virtual yoga channel
- UAB News: How to stay healthy while working out during the coronavirus pandemic
Healthy Eating

Employee Wellness Recipe Hub

Explore UAB Employee Wellness's online collection of recipes and healthy information.

Farm Stand at UAB Produce Box

Check out available produce from the UAB Farm Stand by visiting Boozer Farms online. Order a weekly regional produce box featuring a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables from Boozer Farms, and select a pickup location that is convenient for you.

Healthy Pantry Items
- Keeping Pasta Meals Healthy
- 7 Ways to Add Beans to Your Diet
- Applesauce Waffles (when you're out of milk and eggs)
- 50 Things to Make with Oats
Preventative Steps

UAB Infographics
CDC Infographics
Mental Health Screens | EACC Virtual Programs | Online Resources | Apps

Explore mental health services, self-care tips and more to help you through this rapidly evolving public health emergency. For more resources, visit the UAB Employee Assistance & Counceling Center online.

Mental Health Screens

Online mental health screenings are a fast, free and confidential way to check for signs of mental health issues. Check out some of the available online screens below.
Please note — online screens are not a substitute for consultation with a health professional. Regardless of the results of a screen, if you have any concerns, see your doctor, counselor or other mental health professional.
- UAB Medicine Wellbeing Index: This online self assessment tool allows users to measure burnout, assess valuable resources and compare their scores to peers, as well as track progress overtime to promote self awareness.
- Mental Health America: MHA offers free, condential and anonymous mental health tests for depression, anxiety, work health, addiction and more — plus guidance for those unsure of which test they should take.
- Additional Online Screening: See EACC's list of available mental health screens focused on burnout, depression, eating disorders, PTSD and veterans issues, and more.
EACC Virtual Programs

The UAB Employee Assistance & Counseling Center is offering a variety of online programs and events to support you in achieving successful work-life integration during this unprecedented time of uncertainty and social distancing. Visit the EACC Events Calendar to view all upcoming events.

EACC programs are free and open to all UAB employees and members of their immediate household.
- Coping Conversations: Maintaining self-care practices and enhancing positive wellbeing during challenging times can be difficult. Meets weekly via Zoom, Tuesdays, 4:15-5 p.m. Interested participants can sign up online at See flyer for details.
- Self Care Studio: A collaboration between the UAB EACC and the Institute for Arts in Medicine that offers employees a space to enhance creativity and focus on personal wellness. Meets via Zoom the first and third Tuesday of the month, noon-1 p.m. Check the EACC Events Calendar for upcoming sessions.
- Virtual Yoga: UAB EACC Gentle Yoga instructor's release twice weekly sessions on her virtual yoga channel — go.uab.edu/VirtualYoga
- SmartPath Webinar Series: Monthly financial wellness webinars for UAB employees provide engaging, practical and actionable advice on a variety of financial topics. Visit uab.edu/smartpath for a complete list of topics.
Online Resources
- EACC Handouts
- LinkedIn Learning: Happiness Tips: Get a new happiness tip to help you live a happier life. This course provides practical, actionable techniques for finding more time for the things you love and maximizing your day-to-day happiness.
- Coping with Stress during the 2019-nCoV Outbreak: Stress management strategies from the World Health Organization
- Creating a Healthy Mindset during a Pandemic: By practicing balanced and accurate ways of thinking, we can create more healthy thoughts and calm our emotional reactions.
- Working Remotely During COVID-19: Your Mental Health & Wellbeing: Practical tips for finding new ways to work and interact while taking care of our mental health and wellbeing.
- Managing Healthcare Workers’ Stress Associated with the Covid-19 Pandemic
- Guide to Mental Health Resources for Healthcare Providers
- Caring for Yourself and Others During the Covid-19 Outbreak: Managing Healthcare Workers' Stress (VIDEO)
- Coping Through The Coronavirus from TAO provides concrete ways to manage the anxiety and uncertainty that we are all facing. (VIDEO)
- Psychological First Aid: Supporting Yourself and Others During COVID-19: This Red Cross course will review basic principles of providing psychological first aid, including how to recognize and manage stress in yourself and in others and how to lend support to family members, friends and coworkers during and following the COVID-19 outbreak.
Mental Health Apps

myStrength

EACC has partnered with myStrength to provide free and confidential access to web and mobile e-learning tools on topics such as stress management, depression, anxiety, chronic pain, parenting, substance use concerns, trauma and more. Visit myStrength for UAB online.

Apps for Mental Health

Breath2Relax — guided breathing exercises
Android | iPhone

Headspace — personal meditation guide
Android | iPhone

Self Help for Anxiety Management — developed by a university team of psychologists, computer scientists and student users
Android | iPhone

Daylio Journal — mood tracker and private journal
Android | iPhone

Mood Tools — tools to deal with depression developed by the Anxiety & Depression Association of America
Android | iPhone

Fear Tools — tools to deal with anxiety developed by the Anxiety & Depression Association of America
Android | iPhone

Remente — goal setting and self-improvement
Android | iPhone

WoeBot — self-care app using Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
Android | iPhone

Wysa — mood tracker, mindfulness exercises, mental health assessment, powered by AI
Android | iPhone

Youper — emotional health assistant, powered by AI
Android | iPhone

Ten Percent Happier — features free coronavirus Sanity Guide, guided meditations for coronavirus Responders, along with a podcast, talks and newsletter on how to handle coronavirus anxiety. Healthcare workers not currently subscribed to Ten Percent Happier receive free access by emailing care@tenpercent.com for instructions.
Android | iPhone
With childcare in high demand, HR has identified resources for employees who are working onsite and experiencing the need for immediate childcare due to school and childcare center closures. This space will be updated as new resources become available. If you have a community resource that you would like to share, email uabcdc@uab.edu.

Visit the Resources for Employees with Childcare Needs page for information to help you get started in your search for childcare options.
UAB Remote Workers | L&D Virtual Workshops | LinkedIn Learning | Online Resources

Tools for UAB Remote Workers

Temporary Telecommuting Agreement

UAB Remote Toolkit

The UAB IT department's Remote Working Toolkit offers you access to technology and other tools to help empower success, no matter where you need to work: go.uab.edu/remotework. For troubleshooting tips and connectivity updates from UAB IT, click here.

Recommended Resources from HRIS
- Make your iPad a Second Monitor (VIDEO)
- Feedback or audio echo in your virtual meeting? Check out Zoom Audio Best Practices (VIDEO).
- Learn how Microsoft Teams enables remote work: Microsoft Teams Best Features (VIDEO)
- Finding it difficult to collaborate with your remote team? Check out How to Collaborate Effectively If Your Team Is Remote (VIDEO).
Learning & Development Virtual Workshops

To support our new and rapidly changing reality, Learning and Development has postponed all in-person workshop and replaced them with a full schedule of online learning programs and events to support employees. Visit the L&D Learning Calendar to view all upcoming events.

Programs are organized in three areas to give you opportunities to connect with others, share challenges and ideas, take advantage of learning during times of unprecedented change...
- The Resilient Self: Programs and resources to help people manage new realities and provide ideas and tools to maintain productivity, leverage strengths, improving communication and balance work and life.
- The Resilient Team: Programs to help teams connected and engaged and work effectively under stress.
- The Resilient Leader: The Resilient Leader Virtual Series is designed to give leaders an opportunity to reflect and get revitalized by spending time with colleagues in an interactive session. Each session will have a new topic relevant for right now and plenty of time for discussion. Start your day by learning with other leaders, get ideas, inspiration and guidance as we navigate uncharted waters together. Sessions are Tuesdays and Thursdays in April, 9-10 a.m. Click here and select a date to register.
LinkedIn Learning

Explore recommended LinkedIn Learning courses on a variety of topics related to successfully managing change and working remotely. Membership to LinkedIn Learning is free to all benefit-eligible UAB employees.

Staying in Touch
- Communicating within Teams
- Working Remotely
Managing Stress
- Seven ways to eliminate stress (9m 19s)
- Managing stress and avoiding burnout (1m 52s)
- Managing Stress
- Managing Stress for Positive Change
Overwhelmed?
- How to Manage Feeling Overwhelmed
Resiliency & Productivity
- Building Resilience (34m 25s)
- Managing Virtual Teams (56m 14s)
- Time Management: Working from Home (1hr 25m)
- Cultivating Mental Agility (37m 12s)
- Being an Effective Team Member (31m 42s)
- Finding Your Productive Mindset (59m 33s)
- Leading at a Distance (36m 50s)
- Developing Resourcefulness (18m 2s)
Online Resources
- UAB News: Four ways to save energy and money while working from home
- Learning & Development Newsletter
- 8 Effective Tips for Working Remotely (PDF)
- 8 Tips for Managing Remote Teams (PDF)
- Working Remotely During COVID-19: Your Mental Health & Wellbeing (PDF): Practical tips for finding new ways to work and interact while taking care of our mental health and wellbeing.
- Harvard Business Review (COVID-19 coverage is available free to the public)
Families First Coronavirus Response Act | Financial Planning | Resources for Caregivers

Families First Coronavirus Response Act

As of April 1, 2020, the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act (EFMLEA) and the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (EPSLA) provide paid leave to eligible employees of a covered employer under certain defined circumstances associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. For information, visit HR's FMLA website.
- Employee Rights: Paid Sick Leave and Expanded Family and Medical Leave under The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (PDF)
- Employee Rights: Paid Sick Leave and Expanded Family and Medical Leave under The Families First Coronavirus Response Act Spanish Language (PDF)
Financial Planning

SmartPath COVID-19 Webinars for UAB
- June 10: Coronavirus — What’s Your Next Financial Move?
  How is the spread of Coronavirus affecting economic activity, financial markets and more importantly ... your livelihood? Join SmartPath President Alok Deshpande for this important webinar event to understand the current and potential implications of the pandemic on your money, what may still lie ahead (financially) and reasons for optimism going forward.
  Click here to register.
- July 21: What Should I Do During These Uncertain Times?
  SmartPath has created a webinar specifically aimed at reducing financial stress resulting from the Coronavirus. Join SmartPath CEO Alok Deshpande to learn your age-specific strategy on what you should do (and not do) during uncertain financial times. He’ll share how to respond in your 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s.
  Click here to register.
- August 19: Investing in the Age of Uncertainty
  COVID-19 has created massive uncertainty for investors. With optimism about containing the pandemic fading, markets are reacting violently to the rapidly changing environment. Join SmartPath CEO Alok Deshpande to take a deep breath and see steps you should take.
  Click here to register.
CommonBond Student Loan Quick Tips

Go to info.commonbond.co/student-loan-quick-tips to view CommonBond's collection of short (2-3 minute) educational videos on managing student debt. This month's micro-webinar topics include:
- The CARES Act and its impact on student loan borrowers
- How to apply for Federal Subsidized Loans
- Understanding the difference between federal and private student loans
CommonBond is a UAB financial wellness partner offering a student debt refinancing program for UAB benefit-eligible employees.

Online Resources
- Harvard Business Review (COVID-19 coverage is available free to the public)
Resources for Caregivers

Caregivers Support Group

The UAB Employee Assistance & Counseling Center is launching a weekly online support group for hospital employees and healthcare professionals working during the COVID-19 pandemic. Two sessions meet remotely via Zoom, Wednesdays from noon to 1:30 p.m. and 4-5:30 p.m. Interested participants can sign up online at go.uab.edu/EACC-Support. This programs is free and open to all UAB employees and members of their immediate household.

Online Resources
Caregiver Wall of Thanks

Check out the mesaages of thanks for all UAB and UAB Medicine employees working on the front line of defense against COVID-19 for our great state and beyond.
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve and have a significant impact on UAB’s business operations. Initially, UAB elected to pay employees who were not working during limited business operations. Unfortunately, the fluid and dynamic nature of this health crisis has made this offering impossible to sustain. Due to the financial impact the COVID-19 health crisis has had on UAB, the very difficult decision was made to implement a furlough after the careful review of many options.

Furloughed employees are eligible for unemployment benefits and UAB is doing everything possible to assist with filing the claim to expedite the process. Visit the Resources for Furloughed Employees page for information and resources to assist furloughed UAB employees during this process and throughout this difficult time.

COVID-19 Resources for UAB Employees

Resources for Returning to Campus

Preparing for Campus Entry

Re-entry Dashboards

UPDATE: Medical Plan Coverage for COVID-19

2019 FSA Filing Deadline Extended

Voluntary 403(b) Employer Match Suspension

Stop Dependent Care FSA deductions if your daycare has closed or daycare needs have changed

CARES Act updates to voluntary retirement plans offer economic relief

CARES Act to allow over-the-counter (OTC) drugs and medicines without prescription

Employee Wellness Recipe Hub

Farm Stand at UAB Produce Box

Healthy Pantry Items

UAB Infographics

CDC Infographics

myStrength

Apps for Mental Health

Temporary Telecommuting Agreement

UAB Remote Toolkit

Recommended Resources from HRIS

Staying in Touch

Managing Stress

Overwhelmed?

Resiliency & Productivity

SmartPath COVID-19 Webinars for UAB

CommonBond Student Loan Quick Tips

Online Resources

Caregivers Support Group

Online Resources

Caregiver Wall of Thanks