University employees to receive $500 thank-you payment for 'extraordinary' contributions

Full- or part-time Johns Hopkins University employees who earn less than $200,000 per year in base salary will receive a supplemental $500 payment in their final paychecks of 2020, a token of appreciation from university leadership in recognition of the contributions of faculty and staff under extraordinary circumstances over the past year.

"We are immensely grateful to our frontline healthcare workers whose care and compassion for their patients and colleagues knows no bounds and to all our colleagues across our institution whose creativity and determination have seen us through this year," JHU President Ronald J. Daniels said. "During this exceptionally trying time, we recognize the great sacrifices of our Hopkins workforce, and this small gesture reflects our deepest appreciation for their commitment to Johns Hopkins, to our Baltimore community, and to all we serve."

The announcement was shared this morning in a message to Hopkins employees from Daniels, Provost Sunil Kumar, Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration Mary Miller, and the university's deans.

"This year has tested us all in ways we never could have imagined, and your hard work and contributions—to our university's mission and to the health of our communities here in Baltimore and around the world—have been extraordinary," they wrote. "You have been asked to sacrifice in innumerable ways and to adapt to ever-changing circumstances, and you have done so with unfailing dedication, professionalism, and compassion."

Any full-time or part-time employee of the university—including post-doctoral fellows, residents, interns, and employees represented by bargaining units—will receive the thank-you payment. To be eligible, an employee must be active on Dec. 31, 2020, and must have received a paycheck in calendar 2020. Casual and limited faculty or staff are not eligible.

The Johns Hopkins Health System will offer its employees a similar payment. More information is available on the university's COVID Information website.

"While we cannot thank you enough for all you have done for our institution, for one another, and for those we serve, we hope this gesture of appreciation conveys our immense gratitude," university leaders wrote.

"Thank you for all you have done, and best wishes for a healthy holiday season and a happy new year."