UMSOM COVID-19 Hiring Pause FAQs

The purpose of this hiring pause is primarily financial and economically driven. As a result of the current COVID-19 environment, the School of Medicine has been experiencing a significant loss of revenues due to dramatically curtailed operations, both research and clinical. The state of Maryland overall has lost significant revenues and we expect to be faced with significant budget cuts going into FY2021. There is also the more practical factor of not wanting to hire new people at a time when we are trying our best to reduce the number of people coming onto our campus and to practice social distancing.  For these reasons, we are implementing a pause in hiring new positions and in those cases where the pause cannot be followed, we are requiring additional documentation for the Dean's Office to review (exception request).

The hiring pause is not affecting those whose offers have been approved by the Dean’s Office or HR.

While not prohibited, the Dean’s Office will be reviewing hire requests much more closely. Our general guidelines for hiring fellows during the COVID-19 pandemic are as follows:

They should have

• salary fully funded by existing grants
• minimum or standard step level salary; lower for a Research Fellow (i.e. if no terminal degree)
• contingency clause in offer which states:  "This offer may be rescinded, or the start date may change due to work-site restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic"
• the standard visa contingency language (should be in all offers regardless)
• start dates set at a time when we realistically believe that on-site access is feasible unless they can definitely be productive remotely via telework (during this time, we want to reduce the number of people on campus not increase the number)

if start date sooner:

• expectations must be able to be completed from home
• offer must state that they will initially be working from home and describe the duties they will be completing from home in addition to the general duties of the position

No.  Each proposed post-doc and faculty offer regardless of funding source must be reviewed and approved by the Dean’s Office.  We are exercising caution in taking on new hires during this time.  Our general guidelines for hiring fellows during the COVID-19 pandemic are as follows:

They should have 

• salary fully funded by existing grants
• minimum or standard step level salary; lower for a Research Fellow (i.e. if no terminal degree)
• contingency clause in offer which states:  "This offer may be rescinded or the start date may change due to work-site restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic"
• the standard visa contingency language (should be in all offers regardless)
• start dates set at a time when realistic that on-site access is feasible unless they can definitely be productive from home (during this time, we want to reduce the number of people on campus not increase the number)

if start date sooner:

• expectations must be able to be completed from home
• offer must state that they will initially be working from home and describe the duties they will be completing from home in addition to the general duties of the position
  
  

Offer letters, CV and salary sheet for part-time faculty candidates should be sent to the Dean’s Office for review and approval prior to release to the candidate.

No. Faculty appointments that have already been submitted will continue to be processed.

Yes, all staff recruitments – regardless of funding source – require a justification.  Requests must include funding source information and whether or not the position is new or a replacement for a vacant role.

The pause also applies to unit-specific postings.  In addition to funding source information and whether position is a new or a replacement, the justification should indicate that the recruitment is unit-specific and whether or not the position of the internal candidate ultimately selected will be refilled or if the action will be FTE neutral.

To continue with a staff recruitment, department’s (ideally the Sr. Administrator) should send a request to the Dean’s Office (HR) which includes:  the position type (Regular or C2), whether the position is new or is a refill of a vacancy, the title, salary and funding source and a justification why the position is needed.  Request should also indicate whether or not the work can be done remotely so that the person hired will be able to begin handling tasks immediately.  If applicable, also include the current stage of recruitment for those that may already be posted/”in progress”

C1 and C2 renewals still require a justification and request to be exempted from the pause.

Yes.  If departments are able to utilize C1 or C2 positions in place of recruiting for a “regular” position, that is the suggested course of action for the time being.  Requests do still need to be submitted and approved per above.

Yes, a request would still be required, however this would be an important factor in the justification for the position.

You will receive an email response from the School of Medicine’s HR Office as to whether the position is approved or denied.  Requests will be handled as quickly as possible assuming we have all the needed information to respond.