Typically, Plan B designation allows the university to continue performing critical operations for safety, patient care, and on-campus needs for dining and residence hall maintenance during emergency situations. As stated in the FAQ, these will typically be employees in UK HealthCare, Physical Plant, Auxiliary Services, UK Police, etc., that are designated employees. At times, other employees may be designated by their supervisors during a particular Plan B event in order to perform other critical functions.
These tips are a guide for supervisors to assist them in determining whether employees should be designated. Supervisors should communicate with their next-level managers to ensure employee designations align with the operational needs of their area. If there are potential situations in which some or all of your staff may be assigned as designated in the future, discuss them with each employee individually and as a group. Communication of expectations prior to emergency events is important.
We have an important event planned. Should everyone working the event be designated?
In many cases, events on campus will be canceled during a University emergency. If it is determined by your leadership and campus safety officials that an event will continue as scheduled, staff can be designated for the event.
We have a critical deadline during the emergency. Can staff be designated so we can meet the deadline?
Deadlines internal to the University are often extended due to the emergency, though some, such as payroll entry, may require some employees to be designated in order to meet the deadline. If deadlines are not able to be extended, then employees may be designated to work in order to meet the deadline.
If employees are able to work remotely, should they be assigned designated to work remotely status?
If the employee can perform the functions that are critical to continuing operations during the emergency from a remote location, establishing that employee as designated working remotely likely makes sense. However, the ability to complete work remotely should not be the only consideration when deciding whether to designate an employee. Please note again that this status means the employee is available and actively working the duration of their shift. This is different from the occasional checking of email, for example.