COVID-19 Policy Issues

Is the employer’s policy centralized? In other words, is there a single document that includes all aspects of your policy as opposed to a dozen different documents in a dozen different forms? (00:01:36) Does the employer have a medical professional available on a 24/7 basis? (00:02:40) Has the employer made arrangements for drive-through or other expedited COVID-19 testing? If so, can asymptomatic employees who are not in any high risk group participate in the testing? (00:03:31) Are vehicles properly stocked with supplies? (N-95 respirator, disposable gloves, gowns, eye protection, contamination bags) (00:04:52) Is the employer required to conduct routine cleaning and disinfection of stations, vehicles, and other work sites? (00:05:56) Does the employer have procedures in place for first responders who encounter an individual who is displaying symptoms consistent with COVID-19? (immediate supervisory review, EMS transport, don’t bring to police station, disposal of PPE, etc.) (00:07:01) If an employee has an on-the-job exposure to an individual who has displayed symptoms consistent with COVID-19 . . . (00:09:40) a. Does the policy define what an “exposure” is? b. Is the employee required to contact a supervisor? c. Will the employee be ordered to leave work? (symptomatic, asymptomatic) d. If so, will the employee be ordered to self-quarantine? e. If so, for how long? f. How will the employee’s time off work be handled? Special sick leave or administrative leave, a requirement that the employee use her own leave, etc.? If an employee has an on-the-job exposure to an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19 . . . (00:17:13) a. Is the employee required to contact a supervisor? b. Will the employee be ordered to leave work? c. If so, will the employee be ordered to self-quarantine? d. If so, for how long? e. How will the employee’s time off work be handled? Special sick leave or administrative leave, a requirement that the employee use her own leave, etc.? If an employee displays symptoms consistent with COVID-19 . . . (00:18:25) a. Is the employee required to contact a supervisor? b. Will the employee be ordered to leave work? c. If so, will the employee be ordered to self-quarantine? d. If so, for how long? e. How will the employee’s time off work be handled? Special sick leave or administrative leave, a requirement that the employee use her own leave, etc.? If an employee has an off-the-job exposure to an individual who has displayed symptoms consistent with COVID-19 . . . (00:20:14) a. Is the employee required to contact a supervisor? b. Will the employee be ordered to leave work? (symptomatic, asymptomatic) c. If so, will the employee be ordered to self-quarantine? d. If so, for how long? e. How will the employee’s time off work be handled? Special sick leave or administrative leave, a requirement that the employee use her own leave, etc.? If the employee tests positive for COVID-19 but is asymptomatic, what happens? (00:20:43) If an employee tests positive for COVID-19, are other employees who came into contact with that employee notified? (00:22:22) Is the employer requiring doctor’s notes for employees absent from work for COVID-19 reasons? (00:25:07) How will the workers’ compensation/pension system treat employees who test positive for COVID-19? Who are simply exposed to COVID-19? (00:28:14) If the employee is ordered to self-quarantine, will the employer provide a pre-paid quarantine location? (hotel) Do the employer’s quarantine-at-home policies change if the employee lives with one or more individuals who are at risk? (compromised immune system, medical condition, age, etc.) (00:32:29) Is the employer offering flexible schedules for employees with childcare needs caused by COVID-19? (00:35:49) What is the employer’s telecommuting policy? Who can telecommute? (00:41:58) Do first responders receive any form of hazardous duty pay? (00:43:44) How does the policy relate to the employee’s regular leave accrual? (Allowing relaxation of leave accrual caps so an employee doesn’t lose accruals, especially where an employer has cancelled pre-approved leave. Leave borrowing against future accruals for COVID related absences). (00:47:20) If an employer has “opted-in” to the FFCRA for first responders, do those benefits run concurrently with whatever is offered under the employer’s policy? (00:50:33) The Department of Labor definition of a first responder can be found at https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic/ffcra-questions.