Safe Return to the Workplace FAQ

Faculty, staff, and postdoctoral scholars should test if experiencing symptoms, after travel, or after exposure to COVID-19. Additional information is available on the COVID-19 Testing page.

Though masking requirements have eased across the county and state, to minimize the spread of COVID, face coverings still continue to be strongly recommended on-site, both indoors and in crowded outdoor settings, regardless of vaccination status.

Effective Monday, October 24, 2022, masking is: 

• No longer mandatory in classrooms. However, individual faculty members will have the option of requiring masks in classes. Instructors who will require masking should inform students in advance on Canvas, the university’s learning management system, and by email. 
• Optional on Marguerite buses
• Still required in healthcare facilities, including Vaden Health Center and Stanford hospitals and clinics.

For more information about masking guidelines, visit Health Alerts.

Information on the exposure notification process has been updated under the Symptoms & Exposure page.

Yes, Stanford policy requires that all faculty, staff and postdoctoral scholars be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, including those working remotely in the United States. Individuals must upload a copy of their COVID-19 vaccination card into Health Check indicating a single dose of the one-dose COVID vaccine (Johnson & Johnson/Janssen) or the second dose of a two-dose COVID vaccine (e.g. Pfizer or Moderna) was administered before or by January 4, 2022. Learn more about the requirement on the COVID-19 Vaccinations page.

The Bay Area Healthy Transit Plan provides more information about transit agencies’ COVID-19 response, which is based on guidance and best practices from the California Department of Public Health, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization, as well as other transit agencies from around the world. 

To help you plan your commute to campus, please visit the Stanford Transportation website for options and suggestions to support your commute, including a Commute Toolkit.

Should you still have concerns or questions about circumstances that may affect your return, please consult your supervisor or your school/unit HR Manager.

Please consult your supervisor or your school/unit HR Manager if you have concerns or questions about circumstances that may affect your return.

The global pandemic has posed significant challenges to our families, our personal lives, and our health. Please utilize the benefits and wellness resources available to help support you and your family during this difficult time. If you need additional support, please reach out to your HR representative.

Cleaning crews in academic, research and administrative buildings will focus their efforts on common spaces such as break rooms, restrooms, cafes, and high-touch areas like doorknobs and elevator buttons.

For more tips about safety habits for cleanliness, visit Cardinal Recovery. 

Faculty, staff and postdocs must notify Stanford via Health Check. See the Symptoms, Exposure page on EH&S for more information.

Each school/unit typically manages its space, equipment and supplies. For questions about your building or workspace, including filter systems, cleaning enhancements or space accommodations, contact your facilities manager or building manager. You may reference the Stanford Facilities Information Management System for the building manager assigned to each campus building at http://fims.stanford.edu/. You may also reference Cardinal Recovery’s Healthy Buildings FAQ for more information on healthy buildings.

As far as the fragrance issue goes, there are non-fragranced options available in the market. However keep in mind that they will not be completely free of scent. The chemicals that provide the disinfectant activity have their own odor which cannot be completely avoided. Simple soap and water is still the preferred hand washing technique when available. Searching for “scent free hand sanitizer” or “scent free disinfectant wipes” on Amazon yields several options in both categories and the user may consider providing their own preferred brand.

Campus ventilation systems are designed to deliver outdoor air exchange consistent with building code requirements and consensus industry standards. Over the past several years, the university has also been upgrading its air filtration systems to further optimize its general indoor air quality, and also provide additional resiliency during wildfire seasons. Where possible, the university has standardized on MERV-13 grade filtration which is often used in hospitals and urgent-care/outpatient facilities. Visit Cardinal Recovery for details.

Stanford Transportation is listening to employee questions and concerns regarding sustainable commute programs and other resources. They are identifying solutions based on the number of people working on-site each day and the transportation needs of the Stanford community, among other factors. To find out which permit is most cost effective based on your commute pattern, view this chart. 

We ask for your continued patience as Transportation navigates the complexities of how to best support our diverse community while continuing to financially sustain operations. In the meantime, hourly, daily, and monthly parking options and many sustainable commute programs continue to be available, including free transit passes for eligible commuters. 

Please visit the Stanford Transportation website for options and suggestions to support your commute, including a new Return-To-Your-Commute Toolkit. For parking questions, please contact transportation@stanford.edu. For help planning a sustainable commute, Transportation offers one-on-one commute consultations or you can contact them at commuteclub@stanford.edu. 

We recognize returning to the workplace may be a concern for some employees. The health and safety of our community is our top priority. In following guidance from Santa Clara County Public Health, the university is implementing new protocols and safety practices to keep our community safe as more people return to the workplace. Because the workplace will be different, to prepare for your return, please talk with your manager to understand the changes that are implemented in your specific building. If afterwards you are still uncomfortable, talk with your manager and/or your school/unit HR manager to understand your options. If you are sick with COVID-19, please stay home and use sick leave.