Jennifer Lucas, Executive Director of Human Resources, updates faculty and staff about indoor masking, quarantine and isolation, expanded sick leave, and vaccinations.
Dear Colleagues:
I hope this email finds well and that you are enjoying a restful and relaxing summer. I am writing to share some important updates and reminders for all faculty and staff at the College. Please read this email carefully and follow the expectations listed below.
Indoor Masking
Given the low density on campus and rising vaccination numbers across our employee population, Gettysburg College has lifted its indoor masking policy through July 31 for all employees who have been fully vaccinated.
Employees who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated are expected to continue to wear a mask at all times when inside any College facility.
Please keep in mind that some vaccinated employees may still wish to continue wearing their masks. As a result, it’s important that we don’t assume that if someone is wearing a mask that they are unvaccinated.
We are currently evaluating the masking policy for the period after August 1st.
Quarantine and Isolation Requirements
According to the CDC most fully vaccinated people with no COVID-like symptoms do not need to quarantine, be restricted from work, or be tested for COVID-19 following an exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, as their risk of infection is low.Unvaccinated employees will be required to quarantine if they are considered to be a close contact with a positive case. This is all the more reason to be vaccinated if you are able.
All employees are still required to contact the Human Resources Office as soon as possible if they are confirmed to have COVID-19 or have been in close contact with someone who tests positive so that we may evaluate the situation to determine if the employee is required to quarantine or isolate. Please note that a fully vaccinated person who experiences symptoms consistent with COVID-19 should isolate themselves from others and be clinically evaluated for COVID-19.
Expanded Sick Leave
Last spring, the College developed an expanded sick leave policy for support staff absences related to COVID-19. The policy closely mirrored the Families First Employee Paid Leave benefit offered through the federal government. Although the College was not required to offer this benefit to our employees, we felt as though it was important to provide additional sick leave to those employees who were required to quarantine or isolate for COVID-19. The federal benefit was extended through March 31, 2021 and the College continued to offer the additional leave through the remainder of the spring semester. Effective July 23, 2021, the benefit will conclude. Therefore, if an employee is required to be off work due to COVID-19 or considered to be close contact of positive case, the employee will be required to use their own sick or vacation time. This is yet another reason to get the vaccine if you haven’t already.
Vaccination Information
As a gentle reminder, employees who have received either their first shot or their full complement of COVID-19 vaccinations must submit their vaccination record to the Office of Human Resources.
On June 26, employees who had not yet reported their vaccination information to Human Resources received a message from notifications@origamirisk.com to explain how to upload their vaccination record into the secure SISCO website. Please continue using the secure SISCO site. If you prefer, you can also send your vaccination card information to vaccine@gettysburg.edu or drop off your vaccination card to the Human Resources Office on the first floor of Pennsylvania Hall.
Thank you for your continued dedication to Gettysburg College. I do hope to see you on campus sometime soon.
Enjoy your long holiday weekend,
Jen
Jennifer Lucas, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Executive Director of Human Resources