The University of Florida employs thousands of hourly workers, either in OPS (Other Personnel Services) positions or through private companies such as Aramark which operates most of the restaurants on campus. Many of these employees are students, but many aren’t. Most of these employees aren’t eligible for paid leave, and many live paycheck to paycheck. While the University is still open currently, there are fears among staff that either dining locations will close or reduce hours and staff, or that the school will go down to essential personnel only as they do during natural disasters.



For many of these employees, being out of work for a few days for an illness can cause them great financial hardship, which causes many to go to work even when they’re sick, increasing the risk of spreading infection. A shutdown of the university would be even worse for many employees, who won’t be able afford to pay rent with those pay cuts.





Before it comes to that, UF should promise to give paid leave to OPS and food service employees affected either by COVID-19 or by a possible shutdown of the university caused by it. A refusal to do so will put thousands of employees in danger of losing their homes, being unable to pay their bills, or being unable to afford necessities such as food, as well as increase the risk of spreading infection. UF must do this as part of an effective response to this outbreak.