Human Resources

GUIDELINES FOR RETURNING TO THE WORKPLACE

• Phased Approach for Returning to Campus
• Employee (COVID-19) Temporary Remote Work Request Form

+ Coronavirus FAQs

How are you ensuring the health and safety of the essential Lincoln employees who continue working on campus?

The health and safety of the campus community is the University’s highest priority. The University is taking measures to combat the potential impacts of the COVID-19 by implementing temporary enhanced cleaning procedures and protocols. 

The temporary enhanced cleaning procedures and protocols include: 

• Placement of additional hand sanitizer stations in high-visibility areas such as entrances, elevator landings, and lobbies;
• Deep cleaning of bathrooms and classroom spaces;
• Increased frequency of disinfectant procedures, with additional dedicated teams, focused on fixtures within buildings that are routinely touched otherwise known as “high touchpoints”

We will continue to work closely with our partners in the Physical Plant and the Lincoln University Wellness Center regarding further developments and recommendations. 

What will Lincoln’s employee Independence Blue Cross (IBX) health plan cover in regard to COVID-19?

Testing will be covered. During this public health crisis, Independence will cover as a preventive service and waive cost-sharing (such as co-pays and coinsurance) for the COVID 19 test when performed at a hospital or an approved laboratory.

• Telemedicine is available. To help reduce potential exposure, Independence also offers 2 telemedicine options. To encourage the use of these services, Independence will waive co-pays for telemedicine visits through June 4, 2020. To sign up: 
  • MDLIVE-board certified doctors 
    • Visit mdlive.com/ibx
    • Download the MDLIVE app on your smartphone
    • Text IBX to 635-483 to chat with Sophie, a virtual assistant who will help you sign up
    • Call 1-877-764-6605
  • Penn Medicine OnDemand nurse practitioners* 
    • Call 215-615-2222 to speak with someone who will assist you with registering and scheduling an appointment
    • Download the myPennMedicine app on your smartphone

*If you live within the Philadelphia five-county and surrounding areas, you may access urgent virtual care through secure video, phone, or mobile app from your smartphone when your doctor is unavailable, or you can’t get to your doctor’s office.  The five-county area includes Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia Counties in Pennsylvania. Surrounding areas include Berks, Lancaster, Lehigh, and Northampton counties in Pennsylvania; Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Salem, and Warren Counties in New Jersey; and New Castle County in Delaware.

• Treatment will be covered. At this time, there is no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine for COVID 19. Members should receive care from their doctor to help relieve symptoms as they would other viral respiratory infections. Independence continues to cover medically necessary health care costs to treat infectious diseases, including COVID 19, based on the terms of the member’s insurance plan.
• Prescriptions can be filled. Independence has lifted prescription refill restrictions on maintenance medications, such as the “refill too soon” limit, for members in states that have declared a state of emergency because of the virus. We are carefully monitoring the COVID-19 developments and will make adjustments to policies as appropriate. We recommend that members call the Pharmacy Services number on their ID cards as needed if they require additional medication refills due to a potential quarantine situation.

What if I need to come to campus?

On March 23, Governor Wolf issued a stay-at-home order for seven counties in Pennsylvania, including Chester. Under Governor Wolf’s order, personnel at our post-secondary institutions in all 67 counties who are providing life-sustaining services can continue to be deemed essential and are permitted to continue their work, provided they adhere to social distancing guidelines. Given the ever-changing orders from federal, state, and local jurisdictions, employees should exercise caution when traveling to campus. If a non-essential employee must come to campus, the employee’s supervisor must email Marc Partee, Charles Gradowski, and Jake Tanksley--with a copy to publicsafety@lincoln.edu--and articulate the urgent and essential need for the employee to be on campus.

Are employees expected to report to campus? Can I work remotely?

Non-essential LU employees at both the main campus and University City will work remotely through at least June 4. Any decisions regarding the extension of remote work will be communicated via email to employees. Essential employees who are feeling sick (e.g., fever, cough, shortness of breath) should remain at home, direct questions or concerns to their supervisor and the Office of Human Resources, and consult with their primary care physician.

I am a faculty or staff member and have questions about teaching and working. Where can I get answers?

Conversations are ongoing and plans change as new information is gathered. First, check with your immediate supervisor or department chair. For resources and strategies for remote instruction, visit the new Continuity of Learning webpage.

If I cancel my business-related travel plans or have a conference that is canceled because of the COVID-19 virus, what should I do?

• If your business-related travel plans or conference is canceled, follow the refund procedures that the conference communicates to you.
• For airfare, as of March 4, 2020, several airlines are offering no change fees or cancellation fees on travel. Each airline is unique in its offerings.
• If travel was booked through the University’s approved travel agent, please contact the dedicated travel agent at 610-925-3922.
• If you booked airfare directly through an airline or other travel booking agent, please contact them to assess your options.

On March 9, Lincoln University announced the suspension of all non-essential travel for University business. Does this rule apply to personal travel?

No, however, the University strongly recommends that everyone reconsider any travel at this time. We have placed restrictions on University-affiliated travel, and though we cannot dictate decision-making about other professional and personal travel, such travel is strongly discouraged. Anyone returning from international travel will be required to self-isolate for 14 days before returning to campus. Consult with your supervisor and the Office of Human Resources if you are planning to travel domestically or internationally.

Lincoln University recognizes administrators, faculty members, and support staff, as valued partners in the educational mission. To that end, HR considers employees at all levels to be the University’s greatest resource. The HR staff is committed to working strategically with the University community in identifying and responding to its changing needs and effectively facilitating the various stages of the employee life-cycle. Additionally, related policies and procedures are developed and implemented to ensure the University’s compliance with legislative and regulatory mandates and reporting requirements, and that all employees have a safe and respectful workplace environment.

View the Annual Security Report, click here

Human Resources Office Hours
Academic Year: Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Summer: Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Lincoln University Emergency Hotline

866-809-4556 Toll-Free