Due to the financial impact of the COVID-19 situation, the Library furloughed its part-time hourly staff.
Below is a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for impacted employees. For convenience, this Q&A is organized by the following topics and is current as of July 6, 2020.
What is a furlough?
A furlough is the placing of an employee in a temporary, non-duty, non-pay status because of lack of work or funds, or other non-disciplinary reasons. In short, it is an involuntary temporary unpaid leave of absence.
Who in the Library is being furloughed?
Most part-time non-exempt hourly positions are being furloughed, with the exception of a few roles that are needed for business continuity.
Why is NYPL furloughing its part-time hourly staff?
As a result of COVID-19, the Library is preparing for a potentially dramatic reduction in resources and changes in services that we will offer.
When will the furlough start? When will it end?
The Library has decided to furlough most of its part-time hourly workforce beginning Monday, July 20, 2020. The Library presently anticipates that the furlough will not exceed six months.
Will I receive any additional paychecks once I am furloughed?
You will receive a paycheck on July 17 for any hours you were scheduled to work or actually worked from Monday, June 22 through Thursday, July 2 and your final paycheck will be issued on Friday, July 31, for hours you would have been scheduled to work from Monday, July 6 through Saturday, July 18.
Please make sure your hours are entered into eTime for those time periods to ensure accurate and timely payment of your wages.
How will I receive those paychecks?
Your final paychecks will be issued in the same manner that your previous paychecks have been issued.
Do I have to log into eTime during the furlough to enter unpaid leave? Does my manager need to approve my timesheet during the furlough?
While you are on furlough, you will not have access to eTime. That said, no entries and actions will be required by you or your manager.
Will I be eligible for unemployment benefits during a furlough?
All furloughed staff will be eligible to apply for unemployment benefits through the New York State Department of Labor (DOL). The DOL has sole decision-making authority on whether to grant unemployment benefits as well as the amount of unemployment benefits you may receive.
Additionally, in response to the national COVID-19 crisis, the federal government recently approved the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The CARES Act provides an economic lifeline for most people whose employment status is impacted by COVID-19. It expands existing unemployment benefits in two ways:
(1) provides for an extra $600 weekly payment through the week ending July 26, 2020 in addition to the weekly benefit amount an eligible employee otherwise receives under New York State law; and
(2) increases the maximum number of weeks an individual may receive unemployment benefits from 26 weeks to 39 weeks.
What may make a person eligible for New York State unemployment benefits?
According to New York State law, workers must have experienced a job loss or reduced hours through no fault of their own and have earned a certain amount of money in gross wages over the past several months. Due to the CARES Act, eligibility has been modified to include individuals who are not traditionally eligible for unemployment benefits, including those with limited work history.
I am a student. Am I eligible for unemployment benefits as a result of being furloughed?
High School and College students who work for a non-profit organization, such as the Library are eligible to apply for unemployment benefits.
The decision to grant unemployment benefits or the amount of those benefits is determined in the sole discretion of the DOL and may be influenced by your personal reasons for having or not having a job.
How much unemployment will I receive and for how long?
The amount of unemployment benefits you may receive is determined by the DOL. Typically, in New York, the maximum amount of unemployment one may receive is $504 per week for up to 26 weeks.
As stated in the answer above, the CARES Act increases the weekly benefit by $600 per week on top of the amount granted by the DOL through the week ending July 26, 2020, and also expands the length of time from 26 to 39 weeks, but only through December 31, 2020, should an individual remain unemployed for that period of time.
How and when can I apply for Unemployment?
Applications can be submitted via the DOL’s website or their telephone claims center at (888) 209-8124. Once you are off-payroll, but not before this time, (Monday, July 20) you may apply for Unemployment. However, given the heavy volume of applications that the DOL is presently receiving, it will only accept applications on specific days based on the first letter of your last name. To aid you in this process, please see the New York State Unemployment section of this document below.
Will I continue to have access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) while I am furloughed?
Yes. The EAP will continue to be available to you. You can access up to 3 free counseling sessions per year through the EAP and get assistance with a variety of other issues by phone at 866-799-2728 or through its website.
Please contact the HR Service Center at hrservicecenter@nypl.org with questions.
If I am enrolled in a voluntary retirement or savings plan, what will happen to that plan?
We will contact you directly about any voluntary plans you enrolled in, but in general, your participation and contributions to those plans will be suspended. If you return to the Library, your participation and contributions to the plans will resume with no waiting period.
Are employees who are injured while on furlough eligible to receive New York State Disability or Workers’ Compensation?
No. New York State Short Term Disability is not available to you while on furlough. Workers’ Compensation is paid to employees only if they are injured while on payroll and performing their duties. Employees on furlough are not in an active status and cannot/should not perform any work duties.
If I’m enrolled in the Paid Family Leave benefit will I be able to apply for this benefit while on furlough?
No. Paid Family Leave is only available while you are in an active status. If you return to work and you are enrolled in this benefit, the benefit will automatically resume with no waiting period.
Can I use or get paid out for my accrued Sick Leave? Will I continue to accrue Sick Leave during this time?
No. You will not be able to use your Sick Leave balance nor will you accrue additional time during the furlough. If returned from furlough, your Sick Leave balance will be restored.
Am I expected to work for the Library while I am furloughed?
No. Any staff member who is furloughed is NOT allowed to work for the Library in any way, shape or form. If any work is performed during a furlough, it could negatively impact your eligibility for unemployment benefits and it may result in disciplinary action, including disqualification for reinstatement after the end of the furlough period.
Am I expected to check email or complete any training webinars in Bridge while I am on furlough?
No. You are not expected nor required to check your work email or complete Bridge tutorials during this time.
What if I have been working during the Library’s closure?
Thank you for all the work you have done thus far during the Library’s closure. You will get paid for all hours actually worked or were scheduled to work through Saturday, July 18. After that, you must stop any work that you have been performing remotely.
Can I seek other employment while I am furloughed?
Yes. Furloughed employees may seek outside employment during the furlough. If you find alternative employment during this period and choose not to return to the Library, please notify Human Resources immediately of your voluntary resignation. Be advised that obtaining other employment may impact your eligibility for unemployment benefits.
Can I apply for other NYPL roles while on furlough?
Yes. We always welcome internal applicants for our open positions. Although recruitment is currently suspended for most open roles, we will review your application and get back to you with next steps once our normal hiring process resumes. At this time, we cannot say when this will occur.
May I volunteer to do my job on a non-pay basis during the furlough period?
No. This would violate wage and hour laws. As an employee, you must be paid for the hours that you work, so volunteering is not an option during this time. If you fail to comply with this instruction, you may be disqualified from reinstatement upon the end of the furlough period.
Will I have access to my NYPL email, Workday, Bridge, or Lair while on furlough?
No. While you will be paid through Saturday, July 18, access to your NYPL email and Workday will be available until the end of the day on Friday, July 31. Please log into Workday to ensure your personal email and phone number are updated in Workday as this will be the Library’s means of communicating with you during this time.
My manager had given me an NYPL device (cellphone, laptop, iPad) to do my work. What should I do with an NYPL device while I am furloughed?
Because we do not know the length of the furlough at this time, please contact your manager to make arrangements to return your device(s).
What should I do if I am contacted by a reporter or blogger for information on the furlough?
In accordance with Library policy, all such inquiries should be directed to the Communications Office at angelamontefinise@nypl.org.
Since this is a temporary unpaid leave of absence, when can I return to work?
The Library is hopeful that many of our part-time employees will be recalled to work after normal operations resume, but cannot make any commitments or predictions about when staff may be recalled.
Do I have to re-apply for my position?
No. Employees will be recalled to work in their original positions as business needs warrant.
How much notice will I receive before being recalled to work?
Employees will be given at least ten days' notice of recall. An employee who does not want to return to work within ten days of recall depending on the circumstances may be considered to have refused the offer of work and treated as if they have voluntarily resigned. This may impact your eligibility for continued unemployment benefits.
How will I be contacted about returning to work when the furlough ends?
NYPL will be in touch with you through your personal email or phone number. Workday will be active through Friday, July 31. Please log in and make sure your personal email and phone number is up to date and accurate. Please see instructions about how to update your contact information in Workday.
Is there a possibility I will be recalled to work during the furlough if the need for my role changes?
Should the needs of your department change, and it is determined that your role is needed, Human Resources may reach out to you to recall you to work. Please be sure your personal information, including email and phone number, is up to date in Workday.
Who do I contact if I have questions about:
Updating my contact information in Workday? HRServiceCenter@nypl.org
My Paycheck? payroll@nypl.org
The media is reaching out to me. AngelaMontefinise@nypl.org
All other questions. hrbp@nypl.org
The New York State Department of Labor has sole discretion in determining eligibility for Unemployment Insurance benefits.
The New York State Department of Labor has updated its information with the passage of the CARES Act on Friday, March 27, 2020, and put out a helpful guide to unemployment benefits for claimants as a result of the legislation:
https://www.labor.ny.gov/ui/cares-act.shtm
Due to the current pandemic, the 7-day waiting period for Unemployment Insurance benefits is waived for people who are out of work due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) closures or quarantines.
If you are filing a new Unemployment Insurance claim, the day you should apply is based on the first letter of your last name:
A - F file on Monday
G - N file on Tuesday
O - Z file on Wednesday
If you missed your day, you can file on Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday.. Any claim you file will be backdated to the date you became unemployed or furloughed. If you are eligible, you will be paid for all benefits due.
How to file a claim for Unemployment Insurance Benefits
Apply online at www.ny.gov/services/get-unemployment-assistance
You may also call 1-888-209-8124 if you do not have access to a computer.
Telephone filing hours are as follows:
Monday through Friday, 8 am to 7:30 pm.
Saturday and Sunday, 7:30 am to 8:00 pm
Please note that the telephone claims center cannot help you with issues related to your NY.gov account, such as difficulty logging in, changing your personal information or resetting your password.
For NY.gov assistance, please call 800-833-3000.
Information you need to file your claim:
Your Social Security number
Your driver license or Motor Vehicle ID card number (if you have either one)
Your complete mailing address and zip code
A phone number where you can be reached from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday - Friday
Your Alien Registration card number (if you are not a U.S. Citizen and have a card)
Names and addresses of all your employers for the last 18 months, including those in other states
NYPL’s address is: 445 5th Avenue, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10016
Employer Registration number or Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) of your most recent employer (FEIN is on your W-2 forms)
NYPL’s ER#: 04-51129 7
NYPL’s FEIN#: 13-1887440
You can file a claim without all of these documents. However, missing information can delay your first payment. If you cannot print web pages, have a pen and paper ready to copy information.
If you choose direct deposit of your weekly benefits, you will need your bank routing and checking account numbers. You can usually find your bank’s routing number on the lower-left corner of your personal check. You can also call the bank to obtain this information.
Personal Identification Number (PIN)
If you have never filed a claim for benefits in New York State, you must create a PIN. This is a four-digit number that you must keep confidential.
If you filed for unemployment within the last 3 years, the system will remember your Personal Identification Number (PIN).
To reset your PIN, call the Telephone Claim Center at (888) 209-8124 and follow the menu options to change your PIN. Call during the hours of operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 7:30 pm, Saturday and Sunday, 7:30 am to 8:00 pm.
If you need help filing your claim
If you have a disability and need help to file your claim, you may allow another person to aid you.
You must be present each time they help you and use your PIN.
You will be held accountable for the actions of your helper.
You may be subject to penalties, including forfeiture of benefits if you are not present when your helper assists you.
Callers may ask a friend or relative to help with phone claims if they:
have problems with hearing or speech, or
have difficulty using the phone for any reason.
Hearing Impaired
Have your helper call the Telephone Claims Center at 1-888-783-1370.
TTY/TDD
Call a relay operator first at 1-800-662-1220, and ask the operator to call the Telephone Claims Center at 1-888-783-1370.