Frequently Asked Questions COVID-19
March 17, 2020
Easterseals is taking every action we can to support the safety and well-being of our staff, clients and community during the COVID–19 pandemic. This situation is one that is changing constantly and the management team is working hard to provide you with as much current information as we can.
We certainly are in uncharted waters facing challenges that we have not had to face before. We are trying to be as flexible as possible in our attempts to provide our mission driven services and appreciate the challenges you face both at work and at home. Although we do not have all the information you would like, we are providing you with the information below.
We are working to identify programs that are essential for us to continue to provide, as well as identifying essential staff. Generally speaking essential staff are individuals who perform the work involving the safety of human life or the protection of property. We appreciate the difficulty many of our staff are facing at home and want to work with you so that we can provide essential services.
Essential staff are encouraged to report to work to ensure the operation of essential functions during situations like we are currently experiencing with COVID-19.
1. Am I an essential staff member?
Staff members who care for others, direct support staff, and some administrative support staff are considered essential staff. Staff members should speak with their supervisors for clarification on whether their position is considered an essential position.
2. My coworker just returned from international travel, why are they at work?
At this time, travel restrictions and entry screenings only apply to travelers arriving from countries with a level III travel health notice.
- Travel from level III countries will require that the staff member stay home for 14 days from the time they have returned from travel, monitoring their health and practice of social distancing.
- Staff traveling from countries with a level II health notice will be asked to monitor their health and practice social distancing.
- There are no current precautionary measures for travel from level I countries.
3. A member of my family, that I live with, has serious chronic medical conditions, can I use my paid time off to stay home?
Easterseals policies regarding the use of paid time off have not changed. You should stay home from work if you are sick whether or not you have the coronavirus. Absences of three or more days will require medical certification prior to returning to work. If it is medically necessary for you to stay at home to care for a family member you may qualify for family medical leave. This type of leave is unpaid and will require physician certification.
4. The schools are closed, can I use my paid time off to stay home?
Employees who are experiencing childcare issues should speak with their supervisors to determine it is possible to work remotely or if paid time off may be approved for a specified time. Staff that are unable to work can apply for unemployment benefits through the
State of NH Department of Employment Security
. This benefit was announced today from Governor Sununu and we will follow up with more information shortly.
5. I have a cough does this mean I should stay home?
The coronavirus is a respiratory illness whose symptoms include fever, coughing, sore throat and shortness of breath. If you are experiencing these symptoms or believe that you may have the coronavirus you should contact your primary care physician, or call 211 for medical assistance. Staff who are absent from work for three or more days will be required to provide medical certification prior to returning to work.
6. Can I work from home?
Due to the nature of the services we provide, most employees will not be able to work remotely. However, for some of our employees their job responsibilities make working remotely possible. Remote work will be encouraged for positions where there is minimal impact on the services we provide to our clients and staff. Easterseals encourages staff to talk with their supervisors to determine if working remotely is an option.
7. I have been advised by my physician or health care official to self-isolate for 14 days, how will I be paid?
Staff who are required to self-isolate by order of a health care official will not be permitted to return to work. This is considered an unpaid leave. Options for receiving pay include:
- Exploration with your supervisor to determine if working remotely is possible, or
- Using accrued but unused paid time off, or
- Accessing your extended illness bank (after using 7 days of paid time off or all of your paid time off if you have less than 7 days accrued), or
- Requesting paid time off from the paid time off donation pool, or
- Apply for unemployment benefits through the State of NH Department of Employment Security at: www.nhes.nh.gov
8. I have more questions about returning to work after traveling, who do I call?
There are several resources available to you:
9. I have more questions about returning to work after an illness?
Please contact the Occupational Health Department
