EMPLOYEES: Reimbursement and Covered Expenses Associated with Working Remotely 

Western Washington University reminds employees that they will continue to work remotely unless they have been identified as critical employees or covered under a University department reopening plan. 

New process in place for claiming remote working expenses 

Remote work is mandated as part of Governor Jay Inslee’s ‘Safe Start Washington’ program unless an employee is determined to be “critical on-site staff.” However, we also know that working remotely has been challenging for many employees, including the need to be able to have the same equipment and tools available to employees as they did in their on-campus offices. 

Based on the feedback from our recent remote work survey, we have created a process to help make sure that approved tools and services are paid for. Funding will cover any approved expenditure, as well as any valid purchases made since the start of the remote working order on March 24. 

If you have had or would like to request remote working support, please follow the process at https://hr.wwu.edu/remote-work-needs. If a remote worker’s previous request was denied by their department, they should submit their claim through this process to determine if it will be covered. 

Please contact your HR Consultant with any questions: 

Megan Galley – Enrollment & Student Services and University Advancement, at (360) 650-2615 or megan.galley@wwu.edu 

Gretchen Lucas – Academic Affairs, at (360) 650-2513 or gretchen.lucas@wwu.edu 

Kelsie Swanson – Business & Financial Affairs and University Relations, at (360) 650-4065 kelsie.swanson@wwu.edu 

Or go to: https://hr.wwu.edu/hr-directory 

Extension on the ban for official travel 

In continuing support of efforts to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus, as well as financial mitigation measures adapted for fiscal year 2021, the ban on all non-essential University travel remains in effect until further notice.  This includes, but is not limited to, in-state, out-of-state, and international conferences and/or professional development opportunities. Essential travel is travel deemed necessary to the operations of the University and may include travel for grants, contracts, research, Admissions recruiting, Study Abroad, and athletic competitions.  All determinations of essentiality or exceptions to the travel restriction require prior approval by your vice president or the Provost.   

These restrictions do not apply to personal travel. However, we encourage you to review applicable travel warning and advice, such as this Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) link: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html 

Thank you for your continuing service to the University during these difficult times. 

 
Sincerely, 

Rich Van Den Hul 
ICS Manager and Vice President for Business and Financial Affairs 

 
Chyerl Wolfe-Lee 
Assistant Vice President, Human Resources