COVID-19 Operations for Vancouver campus staff

ESD 112 is actively participating in and supporting efforts to slow and manage the spread of the COVID-19.  We do not want you or your families to be exposed to unnecessary risks or to inadvertently spread the virus.  At the same time, ESD 112 provides a range of critical services that our schools and communities rely on.  We have great employees who want to continue to work, who can do so safely, and whom we want to continue to pay for their efforts.

To accomplish competing and important objectives we are implementing temporary changes in our operations, which include working from home for those who are able.

Work from Home

Starting March 17, (tomorrow), I am encouraging all employees who can work from home to work from home.  Decisions about who can work from home will be based on the individual programs and services that you, your supervisor and cabinet member determine are essential.

If you are at high risk of developing complications should you contract COVID -19, or if you live with or care for someone who is at high risk, we support you in working from home.  The description of individuals that may be at high risk can be reviewed here.

Employees Unable to Work from Home

If you are assigned to do work that cannot be done at home and you are at high risk, or are living with or caring for someone that is at high risk, please connect with your supervisor to evaluate alternative work assignments.

Decisions about protocols for employees who are performing essential services that can only be performed in the office, who are unable or uncomfortable coming to work will be made by your cabinet member, Marnie Allen (Human Resources) and me (superintendent).

Preparing to Work from Home

Many ESD 112 services and functions can be performed remotely.  If equipment, supplies or software is needed to work from home, connect with your cabinet member about whether it is feasible to acquire what is needed.

Employees who are working from home will be given a voluntary temporary work from home agreement.  The purpose of the agreement is to set out general expectations about temporary work from home arrangements and to set up work from home arrangements for success.

Leave

If you are working from home, you do not need to submit leave.  If you are or want to take vacation and it is approved by your supervisor, submit vacation leave.  If you are sick, caring for a family member who is sick, or are experiencing other events that are eligible for paid leave (jury duty, bereavement, emergency leave), notify your supervisor and submit the appropriate leave in your timesheet.

If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID (fever, coughing, shortness of breath) you must stay home and should submit sick leave. 

 

We are working on options to expand leave opportunities for individuals who may not have sufficient leave to cover their absences and will share that information when it becomes available.

Next Steps

This temporary work from home arrangement will remain in place for at least two weeks and may be extended.  It is also possible that we may have to require more employees to work from home. We are planning for these situations and are carefully considering how these and future decisions may impact employees, our agency and the groups we serve.

I appreciate all you have been doing to adapt to this unchartered territory and for evolving as we respond to COVID-19.  We are a great team, a great organization and are committed to getting through this together.

-Tim