AFT FAQs regarding

1- What is the difference between a and a ? A furlough is a temporary separation from the College, and employees typically return to work. Employees are not paid by the College, but retain health benefits for which they are currently enrolled with no change in monthly premium. Furloughs can be partial or full-time. For example, a partial furlough might be taken every Monday for 6 weeks. A full-time furlough might be taken for an entire month. Furloughed employees are eligible to apply for Benefits and may also be eligible for CARES Act Benefits until July 31, 2020.

A layoff is a permanent separation from the College, and employees typically will not return to work. Employees who are laid off are eligible for COBRA in order to continue health benefits and pay the full premium for these benefits.

2- Why did the College furlough some staff? The financial and operational challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, including a reduction in state budget appropriations, and a decrease in auxiliary revenue, have resulted in a significant budget shortfall. After operational reviews and discussions with the Unions, in order to reach an agreement that avoids layoffs, the College made the difficult decision to furlough some employees.

3- How long will I be furloughed? For 12 month employees: Five (5) consecutive unpaid furlough days, commencing on a Monday and occurring during a full work week during the month of July, 2020 and five (5) unpaid furlough days, commencing on a Monday, and occurring during a full work week over Winter Break (the period between the end of the Fall, 2020 and start of the Spring, 2021 semesters), on a week to be determined by the College. The College can mandate that all ten (10) furlough days take place during July, 2020. Furloughs for employees in other bargaining units, as well as managers, are also under consideration at this time. The College will continue to regularly assess external guidance and our internal circumstances in the event there is a need to reinstate furloughed staff based on operational need.

For 10 month employees: Five (5) consecutive unpaid furlough days, commencing on a Monday, and occurring during a full work week over Winter Break determined by the College, and five (5) unpaid furlough days, commencing on a Monday, during the period identified by the College as “Spring Break” for the Spring, 2021 semester. An additional day on Friday, November 27, 2020 (the day after Thanksgiving) shall be an unpaid furlough day for all members and an additional unpaid furlough day shall be determined by the employee, subject to approval by the College and depending on operational needs.

4- What other cost savings strategies have been implemented? A hiring freeze has been implemented for all but essential positions. All college-sponsored travel has been suspended. College purchasing cards have largely been rescinded. A clawing back of all non-essential expenses ranging from office supplies to publication and memberships has been implemented.

5- Can I still check and respond to my RCNJ email if I am furloughed? You will continue to have access to your Ramapo email. However, during the days/hours that you are furloughed, you may not perform any work.

6- What should I expect to hear from the College regarding my return to work? Your immediate and/or the Department of Human Resources will inform you of any change to your status and the procedures for returning to work at the appropriate time. Management is working through a revised reduced and will be communicating to you very shortly. Upon completion of your furlough, your schedule will be revised and a new schedule issued.

Filing Unemployment Claims

1- When should I file an unemployment claim? Unemployment claims have a start date of the Sunday of the week in which the worker files the unemployment application. As long as you file by Saturday at midnight, you will receive credit back to the previous Sunday.

2- How do I file for ? The Division of Unemployment Insurance online application may be accessed at: https://myunemployment.nj.gov/. Additionally, this page contains instructions, FAQs and related information.

3- One of the eligibility requirements for collecting unemployment insurance is that I will need to seek other employment opportunities while out of work. Does that apply in a furlough? Please see the specific list of questions and answers provided by the State Unemployment Office to help ensure accurate processing of your unemployment insurance claim: https://myunemployment.nj.gov/labor/myunemployment/covidinstructions.shtml 4- Am I eligible for the additional $600 per week pandemic unemployment compensation? Please visit this link for information regarding this additional benefit: https://myunemployment.nj.gov/labor/myunemployment/assets/pdfs/NJWorkersFAQs.pdf

Benefits and processes during Furlough

1- Will my health benefits coverage continue while I am on furlough? Yes, employees remain covered under the State Health Benefits Program by making their regular employee contributions via pay check deductions. This program is approved for no more than a 90 day furlough.

Should you have additional questions regarding your benefits during the furlough, please contact Johnie Burton at [email protected]

2- What happens to tuition waiver? Your tuition benefits for you, and/or your dependent children will continue during the furlough.

3- Will the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) still be available to furloughed employees?

Yes, contact the HR Office for information.

4- While on furlough, will contributions be made to my plan? If you are a member of PERS, your deduction and your contributory premium, if applicable, will be affected only if there are pay periods where no is earned or insufficient salary is earned to take your normal pension deductions. We are working with the State to determine how pension deductions will be contributed if no salary is earned.

5- Can I purchase pension service credit when I return to the payroll from a furlough? PERS, members may purchase up to 3 months of service credit.

6- How will Voluntary Furlough affect my life insurance? As long as there is sufficient salary to meet all pension obligations, there will be no change or interruption in your life insurance coverage. We are working with the State to determine how pension deductions will be contributed if no salary is earned during the month.

7- What happens to my loan, arrears, or back deduction payments while on furlough? (classified staff) As long as there is sufficient salary to meet all pension obligations, there will be no change or interruption in your repayment schedule. If insufficient salary is earned to cover loan payments, the period of time over which the loan is repaid will be extended and when payments resume accrued interest will be included in your payment amount. Arrears payments will also be suspended until return to pay status. 8- Can PERS members take a loan from the retirement system while out of pay status? Only those receiving sufficient salary to meet all pension obligations are eligible to apply for pension loans.

9- Will my seniority or anniversary date be affected because of furlough? If you are a classified staff member your status remains the same and you will continue to accrue seniority while on furlough. For those employees with anniversary dates linked to salary increments, participation in the program will not affect your anniversary date.

10- How will the furlough affect my vacation and time? You will continue to accrue vacation and sick leave.

11- Can I use my accrued leave time instead of being furloughed? Furloughed employees are not eligible to utilize accrued leave time during the scheduled furlough days.