Jennifer Lucas, co-director of Human Resources, emailed staff on May 21 about to Governor Wolf’s decision to move Adams County to the yellow phase as part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s “Process to Reopen.”
Dear Friends and Colleagues:
I hope this message finds you are safe and well. The arrival of warmer weather is a welcomed change. It certainly helps to lift one’s spirits!
On May 15th, Governor Wolf announced that 12 additional counties would move to the yellow phase beginning May 22. This includes Adams County. In many ways, business and organizations in the yellow phase behave similarly to when working in the red phase. According to the state’s guidance, remote work must continue to the extent feasible. Therefore, all employees who can work from home should continue to do so.
As in the past, limited personnel are permitted to be on campus. This includes any staff members assisting with student move out of campus housing over the next few weeks as well as members of Facilities, Dining, and Public Safety. In order for other employees to be on campus and working for any extended period of time, they must have approval from their supervisor and Division Head. It is not necessary to notify the Department of Public Safety if the employee has received approval from their supervisor. Buildings will remain locked. Access to buildings can be gained with a College-issued key or access card. Supervisors must ensure employees working on campus are doing so out of extreme necessity, practicing social distancing protocols and wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment. Due to reduced Housekeeping staffing, employees who visit campus will be responsible for disinfecting their own spaces before leaving. Facilities Services will be providing offices with disinfectant spray bottles and towels for staff members to use in their cleaning efforts.
Staff members working a reduced schedule, as identified by their supervisor in early May, should continue to do so. Additionally, as mentioned in previous communications from the Payroll Office, essential employees working on campus will no longer receive time-and-a-half pay after May 21 now that we have moved to the yellow phase.
Individuals working on campus must continue to adhere to proper safety measures including wearing masks. Face masks or face coverings must be worn by all faculty and staff working on campus when in the presence of others and in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
Additionally, before coming to campus, employees must conduct symptom monitoring every day before reporting to work. Employees who are sick should remain at home and not report to work. Employees should not return to work until they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medication. Employees are encouraged to use telemedicine (video and phone visits) in order to limit potential exposure in physician offices.
The CDC continues to recommend everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of COVID 19, including:
- Continue to physically distance yourself from others. Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people at all times. Do not gather in groups of 10 or more and stay out of crowded places and avoid mass gatherings.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and throw the tissue away after use. If a tissue isn’t available, cough or sneeze into your elbow or sleeve, not your hands.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, computers, phones, and keyboards.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after being in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Looking towards the future, the College has formed a workgroup to help establish return-to-work protocols for the remainder of campus when the time comes to resume regular business operations. More information will be forthcoming about this committee’s work.
Finally, as a reminder, tomorrow is a “Zoom-Free” Day and a College holiday for those who are able to take it. Employees who work in offices and departments that do not have the flexibility to take off on May 22 will have a floating holiday to be used before July 31, 2020.
Thank you for your continued dedication to Gettysburg College. I do hope to see you on campus sometime soon.
Enjoy your long holiday weekend,
Jennifer
Jennifer Lucas, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Co-Director of Human Resources