MEMORANDUM
TO: All Principal Investigators employing RCUH staff
FROM: Nelson Sakamoto
Director of Human Resources
SUBJECT: Follow-up to RCUH Advisory #9 (May 14, 2021) regarding Return to the Workplace & COVID-19 Vaccinations
We are providing you with additional guidance from our May 14, 2021 RCUH Advisory #9.
Advisory #9 – Applicable to RCUH employees working for a University of Hawaii Principal Investigator in Hawaii: On May 14, 2021, the RCUH published Advisory #9 regarding the tentative return to workplace schedule for all RCUH employees working for University of Hawaii projects. These RCUH employees are subject to the University’s return to the workplace guidelines and schedule. The RCUH will provide updates as needed to this return to the workplace schedule. RCUH Advisory #9 does not apply to RCUH employees permanently working outside of Hawaii.
COVID-19 Vaccinations are Encouraged – Not Mandatory: On February 26, 2021, the RCUH published Advisory #8 regarding the COVID-19 Vaccinations for RCUH employees on all islands. The RCUH and the University of Hawaii encouraged our employees to get the vaccination. At that time, the demand for vaccinations were more than the supply of vaccines. This required scheduling and coordination. Today, the vaccine supply is greater than the demand allowing employees to schedule themselves for a vaccination. The RCUH continues to encourage all employees to get vaccinated and we continue to authorize 2.0 hours of paid time off if their vaccination is on a workday. To date, the University has not mandated vaccinations for its employees. However, this may change in the future, should this occur the RCUH will provide you with an Advisory guidance. Any Principal Investigator whose project has a job or safety related reason to impose a mandatory vaccination rule for their RCUH employees should contact the RCUH Director of Human Resources for guidance.
Questions or other concerns: Contact me by email ([email protected]) with any questions or concerns.