 |
State Employee Recognition Week
May 2-8, 2021
National Public Service Recognition Week takes place annually on the first full week of May and is a way to recognize and thank public servants. Gov. Mike Parson will declare the same week for Missouri public service employees.
To celebrate this year's Employee Recognition Week, while staying "COVID-friendly," all employees are welcome to participate in the following daily events:
- May 3 - MoDOT Monday: Wear your favorite MoDOT apparel, orange apparel to remember our fallen workers or apparel related to our department initiatives, such as Buckle Up Phone Down.
- May 4 - Touch-base Tuesday: Stay connected and video chat or call a coworker you haven't talked to in a while, or reach out to a particular facility, building or colleague at another state agency to thank them for their public service.
- May 5 - Wellness Wednesday: Go for a walk, stretch, get some fresh air, practice some relaxation breathing or other de-stressing techniques, and/or participate in the Walker Tracker 1-Week Leaderboard Challenge.
- May 6 - Team Spirit Thursday: Wear your favorite team apparel, whether it's a pro sports team, a child's team or apparel that promotes another "team" that you are affiliated with outside of work.
- May 7 - Enjoy the state holiday in honor of President Truman
|
|
COVID-19
Box-in testing - Updated box-in testing guidelines now call for box-in testing to be initiated if one employee tests positive for COVID-19. All employees assigned to the org unit who physically reported to that work location within the last 14 days will be required to have a self-administered nasal PCR COVID-19 test. More details can be found in the Box-in Testing Guidelines FAQs.
Updated leave guidelines - In accordance with CDC guidelines, quarantine requirements for team members who are fully vaccinated and have close contact with someone infected with COVID-19 will change to remove the following requirement, effective May 1:
- It has not yet been three months since the employee received the last dose in the series.
- Emergency Paid Sick Leave expired March 31, 2021 and was removed.
- The use of Borrowed Leave for any COVID-19-related reason and sick leave for school, daycare and similar closings will expire after April 30.
Vaccination eligibility - All Missourians over the age of 16 are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine! Vaccines provide protection against contracting COVID-19 - even against the variants that are now circulating in Missouri and the US. Vaccines also prevent serious illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. Full protection takes about two weeks to develop after being fully vaccinated. Please note that those who are 16 or 17 years of age can ONLY be vaccinated with Pfizer. People who are 18 and up can get vaccinated with Moderna or Pfizer.
Please note, these are the final scheduled events - take advantage of the opportunity now!
|
Date
|
Location
|
Building
| |
4/30/21
| Jefferson City | MoDOT HR Office | |
5/6/21
| Chesterfield | MoDOT District Office | |
5/18/21
| Jefferson City | MoDOT HR Office |
MoDOT cases as of 4-23-21: 686
Stay calm | Stay safe | Stay Show Me Strong |
This week is Work Zone Awareness Week! We are asking drivers to "work with us" this construction season.
There are simple actions everyone can take to make a difference. Drivers can buckle up, put the cellphone down, slow down and drive sober. On the flip side, workers' professionalism can help set an example for the younger passengers watching as they pass through work zones, which is exactly what a Northeast District crew recently received a shoutout for.
"They were very respectable," stated Mrs. Hunt, a teacher with the Edina, Mo Head Start Program, whose students observed the work zone at Highway 15 and Route P in Knox County. "This particular team was prepared and had areas blocked and used correct signs. As a bonus, we were able to watch the work from a safe distance, and the 17 children that witnessed it were thrilled! They asked many questions and even discussed how they too have 'construction work areas' in the classroom. Please accept our huge gratitude for having such a professional team for our 'littles' to emulate."
Brush up on your work zone safety skills! Consider watching these videos at your convenience through MoDOT U, covering varying topics of work zone safety:
|
|
Exit interviews now done exclusively online
Updates to MoDOT's exit interview will change the way employees leaving the organization will offer their input at the end of their careers with the organization.
"Exit interviews are an important tool for helping us become a better organization," said Rudy Nickens, director of Equal Opportunity and Diversity. "This is their opportunity to share their insight into their experience with us, from the beginning to the end of their MoDOT career." New guidelines from the Office of Administration have consolidated the process into a single online form. Previously, employees had the option to physically mail in their comments after separation. Now they must share them through a computer on MoDOT's network before leaving the organization and no longer having that access. Nickens said he encourages supervisors to have employees take the survey before their last day.
|
The enrollment period for the Professional Development Institute, recently revamped by Human Resources Employee Development to better meet employees' needs, ends May 14!
PDI is a voluntary, self-paced development program designed to help professional-level employees to be well-rounded and have greater organizational awareness. The goal of the program is to enhance professional-level employees' business, interpersonal and professional skills. The new PDI curriculum is focused on 16 professional development areas that all employees will find relevant and practical. The program has been simplified and allows for more flexibility. HRED has eliminated the division-based catalogs, and all courses in both MoDOT U and MOLearning will count as electives.
|
ENGAGE 2.0 - training and expectations
Required training
Master the skills central to ENGAGE 2.0! Team Member Accelerated Coaching Training is available through MOLearning. All employees are required to take the training by June 30, 2021. Don't delay!
|
| |
Click the image above to watch a short and informative video on ENGAGE 2.0.
|
The 22-minute video course covers:
- The Importance of Coaching ENGAGE 2.0
- The Benefits of Coaching (Versus Managing)
- How to Create Coaching Relationships
- Coaching for Performance and Development
- How to Deliver Highly Effective Coaching
For options for field employees to access the training, click here.
Supervisor expectations
ENGAGE 2.0 is a part of our current performance development process to continue our culture of professional development, coaching and growth. Supervisors complete quarterly evaluations on employees and employees provide upward feedback on supervisors. June 1 will start the next evaluation period - Q2 2021, which will end on June 30.
May is also a good time for supervisors to review survey results from last quarter. Below are key things supervisors can do to help "calibrate" evaluations for next quarter.
- Follow survey best practices such as:
- Try to use the full range of the evaluation scale.
- Remember that a rating of "3, Neutral" means a team member "meets expectations."
- Think about the meaning of the three evaluation questions before rating a team member.
- Look at your evaluation dashboard to see if you still agree with your past ratings.
MoDOT ended Q1 2021 with a completion rate of 99.5% for evaluations and 38% for upward feedback. We need to continue to work on increasing our response rate for the upward feedback. Supervisors, please encourage employees to complete the Upward Feedback survey. Remember, the Upward Feedback helps supervisors learn about what they are doing well and identifies areas where they can be better.
|
Northwest District promotes work zone awareness
|
| |
Click on the photo to view a montage of the graphics featuring each employee.
|
Throughout 2020 and the ongoing pandemic, we've heard the term "front-line workers." When it comes to work zone safety, you can't get more front-line than our employees who work in the field.
The Northwest District asked these employees to be the public face of Work Zone Awareness Week on the district's social media platforms. Each day during the week, an employee will be featured along with their answer to the question: why is work zone safety important to you?
|
'Work with us' all year round
"Work with Us" is the theme for this year's National Work Zone Awareness Week. To join in the effort of awareness, the Northeast District mailed approximately 300 Work Zone Awareness posters to area businesses and organizations to help "Work with Us" and spread the message. Each were challenged to hang their poster and take a selfie next to it to be entered to win a Buckle Up Phone Down t-shirt.
Other activities for the week included sending the media "orange" goodies and Buckle Up Phone Down t-shirts, displaying orange lights outside businesses and encouraging others to change their Facebook profile pictures to the Work Zone Awareness frame. A district work zone was also featured each day on Facebook stressing the importance of work zone awareness. |
| |
The Northeast District sent hundreds of posters to area businesses and organizations to display for WZA Week. They were challenged to take selfies with the poster for a chance to win a BUPD t-shirt. Pictured are some of the businesses that participated.
|
"Every day, MoDOT workers put their own lives in danger to serve the citizens of Missouri. You can never watch out for traffic enough," said District Engineer Paula Gough. Gough put together a video conveying the importance of safety in work zones. You can view that video here. Work Zone Awareness is important to help make the public conscience of the dangers in work zones. We want the public to not only "Work with Us" this week, but all year round.
|
Kansas City kicks off construction season
|
| |
Crews demolished the 67th St. bridge over Interstate 435 during the weekend leading up to Work Zone Awareness Week.
|
MoDOT's Kansas City District kicked off construction season and Work Zone Awareness Week with the demolition of 67th St. Bridge over Interstate 435 on April 23-26.
This is one of dozens of construction projects that the Kansas City District will complete this year. All projects are listed on the district's roadwork by county page along with an interactive map. Through media interviews, social media and more, the district has encouraged all drivers to slow down and make room when they drive through construction sites and maintenance work zones.
|
Microphones, headphones and cameras - oh my!
As many employees continue to work remotely, staff may find a need for a headset and/or webcam in order to collaborate effectively through Teams, Webex and other virtual meeting platforms.
If you feel you could benefit from these collaborative tools, please speak with your supervisor - webcams and headsets can be purchased by districts and divisions. If you have a headset, webcam or other collaborative tools and need assistance with setup or use, contact the Information Systems Service Desk at 573-751-5000, 877-663-6843 or helpdesk@modot.mo.gov. You can also reach out to your district IS staff.
|
|
It's what makes email possible!
Great Scott! You've got until July 16 to upgrade all MoDOT-issued mobile devices to the new Outlook mobile app. In the near future, the native mail on all devices will be going away.
With new features like these, who'd even want to go back in time?
- Easier ways to schedule meetings
- Better alignment with what you see on your PC
- No more threaded emails
Here's how to embrace the future and get started:
|
|
MoDOT's Mentoring Program
Interested in joining MoDOT's Mentoring Program and looking for more information?
The following trainings are open to all employees interested in being a mentor, mentee or both: - Mentee Training: April 29 from 1-4 p.m.
- Mentor Training: April 30 from 1-4 p.m.
Register for either or both through MoDOT U with course code 92090.
|
|
Engineering Policy Guide
MoDOT's Engineering Policy Guide (EPG) continues to earn rave reviews from all who have made its acquaintance.
"The EPG is just a great resource compared to what I was familiar with. An engineer can get spoiled really easy with it," said one engineering firm employee. You can access the EPG and check for updates on SharePoint by clicking here.
|
|
Zero tolerance for underage drinking
Today's teens and young adults are always looking at what their futures could hold. All too often, those dreams are shattered by the act of being impaired while behind the wheel. It only takes one moment to redefine your future.
At the end of first quarter 2021, teen fatalities were up 63% over this time last year. In the last three years, there were 24 fatal crashes and 101 serious injury crashes involving an alcohol-impaired driver under the age of 21. As a result of making this wrong choice, 26 people died and 132 were seriously injured in these crashes.
|
|
Law enforcement will be on the lookout for underage impaired driving April 30-May 9 with a high-visibility enforcement campaign. Timing of the campaign will coincide with statewide prom and graduation dates, which are often when teens and young adults consume alcohol.
Missouri has a Zero Tolerance Law. If anyone under 21 is caught driving with even a trace of alcohol in their system, their license will be suspended. Consequences of drunk driving include jail time, the loss of driver licenses or being sentenced to use ignition interlocks. Other financial hits include higher insurance rates, attorney fees and court costs.
Missouri's new strategic highway safety plan, Show-Me Zero, Driving Missouri Toward Safer Roads, identifies four key focus areas to help turn the tide: occupant protection (seat belts, car seats and helmets), distracted driving, speeding and impaired driving. For more information on the Show-Me Zero plan, and to check out the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety's new video promoting the plan, visit SaveMOLives.com.
|
What is silica exposure?
- Crystalline Silica is a basic component of soil, granite and many other materials.
How are you exposed?
- Jackhammering, mixing concrete, sand blasting, etc.
How do you control exposure?
- Use wet methods to help control silica dust.
- Clean surfaces with JEPA vacuums or wet sweeping - no compressed air.
- Wear your PPE.
|
|
Take control this allergy season
Spring is here, and for many people, that means allergy season. An allergy occurs when your immune system reacts to a foreign substance that is usually harmless and doesn't cause a reaction in most people. Those things are called triggers or allergens. Allergies are very common - at least one in five Americans has one.
What causes allergies?
Genes (if both parents have allergies, their children are more likely to develop them), the environment (e.g., pollen, dust) and upper respiratory infections are the main causes of allergies.
What are some of the most common allergies?
Pollen, animal dander, dust mites, insect stings, mold, food, latex, roaches, medicines and food.
What happens during an allergic reaction?
If you come into contact with a trigger, your body starts to make a protein called Immunoglobulin E (IgE). Then histamine and other chemicals get released into the blood and you'll get an "allergy symptom" or an "allergic reaction."
What are some allergy symptoms?
It depends on the allergy you have (for example, pollen vs. mold vs. food). Symptoms include: runny nose, sneezing, rash, hives, shortness of breath, vomiting, diarrhea and swelling of the lips, tongue, face or throat.
Ways you can help treat and prevent allergic reactions:
- Use over-the-counter and prescription drugs, and allergy shots.
- Try lifestyle changes like using air filters and avoiding triggers.
- Talk to your doctor about the best treatment for you.
Tips to allergy-proof your environment:
- Windows: If you're allergic to pollen, keep them closed and use air conditioning.
- Temperature: Dust mites and mold love hot, humid houses. Keep your home temperature around 70°; keep humidity under 50%.
- Bed and bedding: Wash sheets, pillowcases and blankets once a week in hot water. Use dust-mite-proof covers for pillows, mattresses and box springs.
- Floors: If you can, get hardwood or linoleum floors instead of carpet. Make sure any rugs are washable to help control dust and mold. Vacuum at least once a week.
- Smoking: Don't let anyone smoke in your home. Avoid cigarette smoke when outdoors.
- Cleaning: Wear a painter's mask when you vacuum, clean, work in the garden or mow the lawn.
- Food and drinks: Check labels to make sure they don't have anything you're allergic to.
- Medicines: Avoid taking any drug, and others like it, that you're allergic to. Consider wearing a medical alert bracelet in case you have an emergency.
|
|
AASHTO Material Standards update
For the 2021 update to the Standard Specifications for Transportation Materials and Methods of Sampling and Testing and AASHTO Provisional Standards, AASHTO has made another change.
Starting July 2021, there will be a single annual release, and all material standards will take effect in July of each year. Additionally, the print format, reintroduced in 2020, and the PDF download will now be grouped into volumes by standard type. The 2014-2020 Material Standards releases are available in the AASHTO e-pubs library on SharePoint, where the 2021 release will be housed when it becomes available. Please note you will need FileOpen installed in order to view materials.
|
|
In memoriam
|
Francis Hollon
D2 - March 22
Geraldean Henson
D8 - March 29
Richard G. Lesch
D6 - March 31
Jesse G. "Skip:" Ward
D1 - April 3
Norvel C. Worley
D10 - April 7
|
Charles Brown
D6 - April 6
Madeline "Sadie" Tolliver
D1 - April 5
John J. Ryan
D4 - April 13
Diana L. Allbright
D6 - March 27
|
Richard "Dick" Clardy
CO - April 10
Shelby Martin
D5 - April 14
Steven D. Hogan
D10 - April 6
Donald George
CO - April 20
|
|
|
The mission of Connections is to be a source of MoDOT news
and feature articles that connect employees statewide.
Comments
What would you like to see in Connections?
We want to hear from you! Send comments
and suggestions to Bethany Belt at:
|
|
MoDOT Communications
P.O. Box 270, Jefferson City, MO 65102
Editor: Bethany Belt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
