Many TAUP members received workplace accommodations for the fall 2020 semester. Those accommodations may not carry over into the spring 2021 semester.

The issue is complicated. Here’s six things to know.

1. Some of you received letters of accommodation. Please check those letters to see if your accommodations automatically roll over to spring 2021. We have been informed by members of the faculty senate that you will likely need to re-apply.

2. We recommend that everyone who needs an accommodation apply directly through human resources. Apply directly to HR either through ada-hr@temple.edu or through the form available through TU Portal.  Human resources has communicated to this union that you may apply for reasons beyond those explicitly covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, including conditions the CDC defines as making one particularly vulnerable to COVID-19. This can also include acting as a caretaker for someone with one those conditions as well as childcare needs.

3. In addition, many of you worked with chairs, directors, and dean’s offices to reach reasonable accommodations for the fall 2020 semester. If you feel comfortable, we encourage you to do this for spring 2021.

4. Keep a record of requests for accommodations. Keep a record and make notes about any communications you receive about work conditions, i.e. phone calls, emails, etc.

5. Know your rights. You are under no obligation to share any health information with anyone outside of human resources. HR is not supposed to share sensitive health information with any supervisor in your college/school or department. If HR receives an application for accommodation, their procedure is to contact the associate dean for faculty in your school or college to discuss the nature of the accommodation requested, not the medical condition that supports the request.

6. If you believe that the response to your accommodation request is unreasonable, please contact the TAUP office at taupaft@gmail.com or call 215-763-2287 for help. We stand collectively to advocate for health and safety and to protect us all within the bounds of the law.

Below is an informational update from TAUP President Steve Newman:

This union has taken your workplace safety concerns to the administration. We demand that virtual instruction be the default method of teaching for spring 2021. The administration will not commit to a specific mix of in-person and virtual instruction but indicated that it was likely the spring would be similar to the ratio now in place after the second-week shutdown, with deans deciding what classes are “essential.”

We do have one important change – a victory for the union – adjuncts can now seek workplace accommodations at any time.  Adjuncts must not wait until they receive an offer of employment before seeking accommodations from human resources.

The work continues. In Solidarity. Steve.