Coronavirus Messages from Human Resources - Archive

February 11, 2021 - Do Not Share Food in the Workplace

REMINDER!  During the COVID-19 public health emergency and in accordance with New York State Reopening Guidelines for workplaces, the sharing of food and beverages is prohibited.

Please do not bring in baked goods or any other food to share with your co-workers.

Eating in a shared space such as a lunch room requires the removal of face coverings; therefore, you must keep social distance of 6’ or more.

I know that we are all tired of the restrictions that this pandemic has placed on our lives, but we must remain vigilant in our workplace to minimize the possibility of spreading the virus to others. The guidelines set in place by the CDC and New York State must be followed to keep all of us safe and healthy. 

Thank you!  Donna

February 5, 2021

With a long holiday weekend coming up, employees are again questioning the travel rules for New York State and how they apply to essential workers. Please be reminded that these guidelines are available on the employee portal as well as the Suffolk County and New York State Department of Health websites.

As an essential worker for SCWA - you are exempt from the travel quarantine for the purposes of going to work only. Quarantine restrictions are required when not at work.

Please notify HR of your plans BEFORE you travel so that we may review the guidelines with you.

As an essential worker, you may be returned to the workplace after travel with certain restrictions listed below:

  • You must be tested for COVID-19 within 24 hours of arrival back to NY and submit a copy of the negative test result to Human Resources. Make your appointment for an instant test before you depart. If you are unable to make an appointment or you are unable to obtain an instant test, you may not return to work until the results are received. Excused time will not be provided.
  • You must monitor your temperature and symptoms daily.
  • You must always wear a mask and keep social distance during your workday for the full 10-day period.
  • You must clean and disinfect your workstation/truck at the end of your shift for the full 10-day period.
    • When you are not at work you must abide by the quarantine restrictions for the full 10-day period or you may test out as described below.

 

If people travel outside of New York or come to New York from another state, with the exception of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, or Vermont, they are required to quarantine for 10 days. This includes Level 2 and 3 countries. Travelers can now test out of the 10‑day quarantine requirement.

For travelers who were out of New York State for more than 24 hours:

  • Travelers must obtain a negative test within three days of departure from that state.
  • The traveler must, upon arrival in New York, quarantine for three days.
  • On day 4 of their quarantine, the traveler must obtain another COVID test. If both tests are negative, the traveler may exit quarantine early upon receipt of the second negative diagnostic test.

For travelers who were out of New York State for less than 24 hours:

  • The traveler does not need a test prior to their departure from the other state and does not need to quarantine upon arrival in New York State.
  • However, the traveler must fill out the NYS traveler form upon entry into New York State, and take a COVID diagnostic test 4 days after their arrival in New York.

If you have questions, please contact Alex Nuzzo at extension 2012 or (631) 218-7012, Emily Lowe at extension 2278 or (631) 563‑0278, or any other HR staff member. 

November 20, 2020 - Holiday Celebrations

Please see attached announcement and place on bulletin boards for those who do not have email access. 

Stay healthy everyone!  Donna

November 4, 2020 - Updated Travel Guidance 

Please find attached a memo with the updated travel guidance from NYS.  Remove the previous travel memo dated October 15, 2020 from bulletin boards and replace with the one attached. 

Thank you.  Donna

October 15, 2020 - Travel During the Pandemic 

Please see attached memo regarding travel during the pandemic. You may remove the previously dated memos from the bulletin boards and replace with the attached.  Be sure that all employees are reminded of the requirement to advise their supervisors and HR of any planned travel.

All resources related to COVID are also located on the employee portal for your reference.

Stay healthy!  Donna

September 29, 2020 - COVID-19 Protocols in the Office 

Hello everyone - Employees who were working remotely have returned to the workplace. We have assured them that safety protocols have been put in place in our COVID Response Plan. This includes the requirement that every employee must wear a mask or face covering when in common areas including hallways, restrooms, kitchen areas (unless you are eating or drinking), shared vehicles, in an elevator, or anywhere where 6’ social distancing cannot be maintained. This is a requirement of all employees.

Supervisors, managers and directors should ensure that all employees follow this protocol.

Thank you!  Stay well!

Donna

August 26, 2020 - COVID-19 Reminders 

Hello Everyone -

The guidance from the CDC, NYS and Suffolk County Health Departments regarding COVID-19 can be found on the employee portal for your reference. The information includes:

  • quarantine and isolation information,
  • return to work guidance after exposure,
  • locations for rapid tests, and
  • travel guidance for essential workers.

The 3 Phases of the Authority’s COVID Response Plans are also available. We have included recorded videos from the Chairman, CEO, Safety and HR as well as recorded webinars from CCA on various topics to assist you in managing during these difficult times.

As the guidance changes, HR will continue to update the portal. If you are unable to access the portal, please contact HR and someone will assist you.

Please be reminded that you must keep a 6’ social distance from others in the workplace. Your coworkers may be asymptomatic. We have had employees come to work feeling well and then the following day become ill with symptoms. HR must contact all employees who were in close contact with that employee for 48 hours prior to them exhibiting symptoms or receiving a positive test. If you were in close contact with an employee for longer than 10 minutes and they receive a positive test, you will need to be quarantined. If you are unable to maintain the 6’ distance, you must wear a face covering. Face coverings are still required in public by Executive Order and you must wear a face covering at work while in common areas including lunch rooms, hallways, restrooms, etc.

It is your personal responsibility to check for travel restrictions to other states or countries. If you must travel, please contact HR for guidance so that you may return to work as soon as possible. Please be reminded, as per Executive Order, excused time is not available for quarantine due to travel.

If you have any questions, please contact me or another member of HR. Thank you and stay safe and healthy! Donna

August 10, 2020 - Travel Reminder 

Please find the attached updated memo regarding Travel - Reminder Regarding Quarantine Restrictions. Thank you! Donna

July 23, 2020 - COVID-19 Workplace Reminders 

We’ve received several complaints from employees in the past few weeks. Please be reminded:

  • Face Coverings should be worn in all common areas and at any time you cannot maintain a 6’ distance from others. The face covering should cover both the nose and mouth.
  • Be considerate of your coworkers and always remember to change the OCCUPIED/VACANT sign back to VACANT upon leaving the restroom.

Thank you!

June 12, 2020 - Employees Returning to the Workplace 

Hi everyone - Employees who were working remotely are returning to the workplace. We have assured them that safety protocols have been put in place in COVID Response Plan Phase 1. This includes a requirement that every employee must wear a mask or face covering when in common areas including hallways, restrooms, kitchen areas, shared vehicles, in an elevator, or anywhere where 6’ social distancing cannot be maintained. This is a requirement of all employees. 

Supervisors, managers and directors should ensure that all employees follow this protocol.

Thank you! Stay well!

Donna

June 2, 2020 - Appointments for Meetings with HR 

Please see the attached announcement on Appointments for Meetings with HR Staff. Thank you.

Stay well - Donna

April 17, 2020 - COVID-19 PC

Hello everyone – HR was advised by an employee in PC of feeling ill with symptoms of COVID-19. She had not been in the office for several days. She saw a doctor and a test was administered. She is presumed positive and is required to quarantine.

As this employee was not at work for 48 hours prior to onset of symptoms, she has advised HR that she did not have close or proximate contact with anyone at work. Please advise your employees who do not have email.

HR will keep in contact with the affected employee and advise of her expected return to work.

Stay well – remind everyone to PLEASE STAY HOME IF THEY ARE FEELING SICK - keep 6’+ distance at all times, if it is necessary to work closer than 6’ for more than 10 minutes, employees must wear a mask. Use the disinfectant spray on high-touch areas – wear gloves when needed – wash your hands before touching your face -  and do not congregate. If any employees start to experience symptoms, please contact HR as soon as possible.

Emily – 2278

Alex – 2012

Nora - 2213

Joanne – 2225

Maria – 2392

Mike – 2230

Donna – 2219

 

Thank you and stay well! 

-Donna Mancuso

April 17, 2020 - COVID-19 East Hampton & Huntington

Hello everyone – Two employees – one in East Hampton and one in Huntington - arrived at work this morning not feeling well. When the supervisors took their temperature readings and asked questions regarding their symptoms, they admitted they did not feel well. HR spoke with both of them, sent each home and advised each to see a doctor and obtain a test. Both had symptoms of the COVID virus and upon evaluation by a medical professional, they were both tested. They are presumed positive. They have been advised that they must adhere to mandatory quarantine guidelines.  Both employees were at work two days prior to exhibiting symptoms of chills, severe headache, sore throat and cough.

CM management staff advised HR of the co-workers who were in close contact of the employees from date of symptoms and 48 hours prior to symptoms. HR has spoken with each of the employees who were in close contact and they have been precautionarily quarantined. This means that they are quarantined in their home for 14 days from the date of exposure to the employee in question. They are not able to leave their property. They must sleep in a separate bedroom and use a separate bathroom from their family members. This is a mandatory requirement of the health department. HR is providing this information to each affected employee. Please be advised that the Authority is able to bring back employees after 7 days of quarantine as they are essential workers but only if they do not exhibit symptoms. They are required to wear a mask for the remaining 7 days while at work.

HR will keep in contact with all affected employees and advise of their expected return to work.

As not everyone in CM has access to email, please post this notice or distribute to your employees. If you have a group text, use this method to make sure that everyone in your department is aware of the steps we have taken.

Stay well – remind everyone to PLEASE STAY HOME IF THEY ARE FEELING SICK - keep 6’+ distance at all times, if it is necessary to work closer than 6’ for more than 10 minutes, employees must wear a mask. Use the disinfectant spray on high-touch areas – wear gloves when needed – wash your hands before touching your face -  and do not congregate. If any employees start to experience symptoms, please contact HR as soon as possible.

Emily – 2278

Alex – 2012

Nora - 2213

Joanne – 2225

Maria – 2392

Mike – 2230

Donna – 2219

-Donna Mancuso

April 16, 2020 - CCA 

Below is a list of supportive programming being offered by CCA@YourService for the week of 4/20.

To register for a session, click on the associated link. You may register for more than one session, if you’d like! Please note that multiple session dates and times are offered for each topic to accommodate schedules and maximize participation.

**It is best to dial-in to these webinars from a phone, if possible.  The sound quality have proven to be better than using your computer/device speakers. 

COVID-19 Stress Management – instructor-guided support group where participants can share challenges and gain strategies for managing stress.

April 20 @ 12:00pm EDT

April 22 @ 1:00pm EDT

April 23 @ 1:00pm EDT

 

Social Distancing: Alone, But Not Lonely – instructor-guided support group where participants can make connections and gain strategies for coping with social separation and loneliness.

April 21 @ 3:00pm EDT

 

Grief During COVID-19 – recognizing that our losses may come in many shapes and forms, this instructor-guided session provides a forum for sharing both old and new ways to navigate the grieving process.

April 23 @ 3:00pm EDT

 

Financial Planning During COVID-19 – instructor-led webinar providing guidance around managing your money during these challenging and uncertain times.

April 21 @ 1:00pm EDT

April 24 @ 12:00pm EDT

 

Aware Live Mindfulness Sessions – the practice of mindfulness can help you release tension, regain focus, and reset for improved well-being. These 10-minute, live sessions are an opportunity to experience these benefits for yourself. 

 

Tuesday 4/21

12:00pm EDT  https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/7403500379112206093

12:30pm EDT  https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/7647947102734276109

 

Wednesday 4/22

9:00am EDT  https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/192253312801842445

9:30am EDT  https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8081741823303895565

4:30pm EDT  https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/6110316375189908749

5:00pm EDT  https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/4453691001712842253

 

Thursday 4/23

3:30am EDT  https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/1057545874117407501

4:00am EDT  https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/4287529505988469773

5:00pm EDT  https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/3546873184751201037

5:30pm EDT  https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/4588875956348014861

 

Friday 4/24

12:00pm EDT  https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/138581752053997582

12:30pm EDT  https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8129282506916067342

 

Please be reminded that CCA@YourService is available 24/7 to provide emotional and practical support to you and your family members.  We will make the webinars that are recorded available on the Employee Portal as we obtain them.

 

Confidential toll-free helpline: 800-833-8707

Confidential member website: www.myccaonline.com (Company Code: SCWA)

 

Nora M. CairoMHRM, SHRM-SCP

Benefits Specialist

Suffolk County Water Authority (SCWA)

4060 Sunrise Highway

Oakdale, NY 11769

(P) 631-563-0213

(F) 631-563-0300

nora.cairo@scwa.com

April 15, 2020 - CCA Webinars 

We have received very positive feedback in regards to the COVID-19 webinars hosted by CCA@YourService.  While CCA is doing everything they can to accommodate participant’s schedules, the planned times of these webinars may not coincide with your schedule.

Therefore, we have uploaded recorded versions of these webinars on the Employee Portal under “Coronavirus Resources” so employees can access them anytime.  All you need is an internet connection and your credentials to log on to the Employee Portal.

 

Recorded Webinars

Stress Management

Parenting During COVID-19

Caregiving During COVID-19

Working Remotely

Social Distancing

 

As they are available, we will continue to upload recorded CCA webinars.

As always, if you have any questions please contact me at ext. 2213.  Be well!

 

Please post for those who do not have access to email.

Nora M. CairoMHRM, SHRM-SCP

Benefits Specialist

Suffolk County Water Authority (SCWA)

4060 Sunrise Highway

Oakdale, NY 11769

(P) 631-563-0213

(F) 631-563-0300

nora.cairo@scwa.com

April 13, 2020 - Delivery Services 

As a result of local authority’s requirements to social distance, many people may be in search of delivery services which would allow them to obtain important items such as groceries, prescriptions, etc. while limiting their exposure.

Linked here is a valuable list of services that provide the delivery of pharmacy prescriptions, groceries, meal kits, food from local restaurants and free/low cost food.

 

Please note that each organization’s capacity and delivery time-frames change frequently.

 

Stay well!

 

Please post for those who do not have access to email. 

 

Nora M. CairoMHRM, SHRM-SCP

Benefits Specialist

Suffolk County Water Authority (SCWA)

4060 Sunrise Highway

Oakdale, NY 11769

(P) 631-563-0213

(F) 631-563-0300

nora.cairo@scwa.com

April 13, 2020 - NYSDCP 

As concerns over COVID-19 continue to dominate headlines and cause volatility in the market, employees may be looking for financial planning support as it relates to their retirement savings through the NYS Deferred Compensation 457 Plan (NYSDCP). 

Due to social distancing considerations, our NYSDCP Account Executive have moved to online appointment scheduling and will provide individual, uninterrupted phone consultations by appointment. Our Account Executive is the best resource for questions about market volatility, investment education, and asset allocation considerations.

NYSDCP has opened a new phone-appointments schedule for employees to have access to our Account Executive as a temporary remedy during this pandemic.   Employees can use the link below to set their own appointment.

SCWA’s Account Executive- Barbara Sce

Click here to schedule a phone appointment with Barbara

**Note- as a result of the CARES Act, early withdrawals related to COVID-19 hardships are now permissible without penalty but are subject to taxes.  For more information, schedule a phone appointment with Barbara.

As always, please contact me with any questions and be well!

Nora M. CairoMHRM, SHRM-SCP

Benefits Specialist

Suffolk County Water Authority (SCWA)

4060 Sunrise Highway

Oakdale, NY 11769

(P) 631-563-0213

(F) 631-563-0300

nora.cairo@scwa.com

April 13, 2020 - CCA

We wanted to ensure you aware of supportive programming being offered by our Employee Assistance Program, CCA@YourService, for the week of 4/13/20.

To register for a session, click on the associated link. You may register for more than one session, if you’d like! Please note that multiple session dates and times are offered for each topic to accommodate schedules and maximize participation. With the exception of the mindfulness sessions, content tends to stay the same for sessions of the same topic. 

COVID-19 Stress Management – instructor-guided support group where participants can share challenges and gain strategies for managing stress.

April 14 @ 2:30pm EDT

April 17 @ 1:00pm EDT

 

Caregiving During COVID-19 – instructor-led webinar covering topics such as sell-care, managing emotions, assessing your family’s needs, and handling unique caregiving situations.

April 13 @ 12:00pm EDT

April 15 @ 1:00pm EDT

 

Financial Planning During COVID-19 – instructor-led webinar providing guidance around managing your money during these challenging and uncertain times. 

April 14 @ 1:00pm EDT

April 16 @ 12:00pm EDT

 

Mindfulness Sessions – the practice of mindfulness can help you release tension, regain focus, and reset for improved well-being. These 10-minute, live sessions are an opportunity to experience these benefits for yourself. 

 

Tuesday 4/14

12:00pm EDT https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/382266514118778894

12:30pm EDT https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/633018936926128142

 

Wednesday 4/15

9:00am EDT https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5443521946422796814

9:30am EDT  https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/1820371648156735502

4:30pm EDT https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/1030254895855385870

5:00pm EDT https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/4743366135994454286

 

Thursday 4/16

3:30am EDT https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/4356281967924108302

4:00am EDT https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/3848342780263707662

5:00pm EDT https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/4351090074017640974

5:30pm EDT https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/308238595243439630

 

Friday 4/17

12:00pm EDT https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/3986159965735376398

12:30pm EDT https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/831528064739085582

 

Please be reminded that CCA@YourService is available 24/7 to provide emotional and practical support to you and your family members.

Confidential toll-free helpline: 800-833-8707

Confidential member website: www.myccaonline.com (Company Code: SCWA )

 

Nora M. CairoMHRM, SHRM-SCP

Benefits Specialist

Suffolk County Water Authority (SCWA)

4060 Sunrise Highway

Oakdale, NY 11769

(P) 631-563-0213

(F) 631-563-0300

nora.cairo@scwa.com

April 9, 2020 - CCA

As a reminder, our Employee Assistance Program, CCA@YourService is fully open, operational and ready to support you during these trying times.

Our EAP, CCA@YourService is available 24/7 at 800-833-8707.

You can log onto the website at myccaonline.com (Company ID: SCWA) for extensive information and resources. They are also hosting weekly webinars on a variety of topics. Please register below.

Stress Management - Tuesday, April 14 @ 2:30pm

Stress Management - Friday, April 17 @ 1pm

Caregiving During COVID -  Monday, April 13 @12pm

Caregiving During COVID - Thursday, April 15th @1pm

Financial Planning During COVID - Tuesday, April 14 at 1pm

Financial Planning During COVID - Thursday, April 16 at 12pm

We care about you and want to help you as much as possible during this difficult time.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.

 

Nora M. CairoMHRM, SHRM-SCP

Benefits Specialist

Suffolk County Water Authority (SCWA)

4060 Sunrise Highway

Oakdale, NY 11769

(P) 631-563-0213

(F) 631-563-0300

nora.cairo@scwa.com

April 8, 2020 - Essential Employee Letter

Essential Employee Letter

Hello Everyone -

Please be advised that we have contacted several testing facilities in Suffolk County who will give the COVID-19 test to our employees who are experiencing symptoms. Be aware that there are some facilities in Suffolk County that will not give a test but instead will supply a “presumed positive” letter.  We want our employees to be tested so they are not placed in mandatory isolation unnecessarily. 

HR is speaking with individual employees and guiding them through the process; however, please print this email, post on bulletin boards and distribute to your employees so that they will have the information as we head into the holiday weekend. I’m attaching the Essential Employee Letter which can also be distributed to all employees.

Testing Locations That Will Test SCWA Employees With Essential Employee Letter If Exhibiting COVID-19 Symptoms

CALL FIRST

LI Urgent Care – 2 locations

www.li-urgent-care.com

LI Urgent Care in West Babylon

403 Little East Neck Road

West Babylon, NY 11704

(631) 716-5463

 

LI Urgent Care in Manorville

287 Wading River Road #8

Manorville, NY 11949

(631) 716-5410

 

ProHealth Urgent Care – 2 locations

www.prohealthcare.com/urgent-care

ProHealth Urgent Care in South Huntington

247 Walt Whitman Road

Huntington Station, NY 11746

(631) 923-2450

 

ProHealth Urgent Care in West Islip

148 Sunrise Highway

West Islip, NY 11795

(631) 620-3580

 

City MD Urgent Care – www.citymd.com – for locations:

Commack, Copiague, Cutchogue, Deer Park, Farmingville, Lake Grove, Lindenhurst, Port Jefferson Station, Riverhead, Rocky Point, Ronkonkoma, Sayville, Selden, Shirley, Smithtown

Stay healthy everyone – be safe!  Donna

 

Donna Mancuso, SHRM-SCP

Chief Human Resources Officer

Suffolk County Water Authority

4060 Sunrise Highway

Oakdale, New York 11769

(631) 563-0219

(631) 774-7148

donna.mancuso@scwa.com

April 3, 2020 - Update on Disability Retirement during COVID-19 

UPDATE- DISABILITY RETIREMENT-COVID-19

Many of you have inquired about the requirements for a disability retirement, should the need arise as a result of the COVID-19 virus.  I have been in contact with the NYS Employees’ Retirement System’s (NYSLRS) employer units and disability unit and they have confirmed the following as it relates to contracting COVID-19:

  • A member must have 10 years of service credit at the time of filing, in most cases (some exceptions for Tier 3)
  • There is no age requirement

For more information, visit the Disability Benefits Page (osc.ny.state.us/retire) on the NYSLRS website or call the NYSLRS Contact Center at 866-805-0990.

This announcement and the associated forms will be updated on the Employee Portal.

Stay well and have a great weekend!

-Nora Cairo

April 2, 2020 - Disability Retirement during COVID-19 

DISABILITY RETIREMENT- COVID-19

The unfortunate reality of the current COVID-19 emergency is that some employees (NYSLRS members) may become seriously, or even fatally ill. At a time like this, it is vitally important that all employees understand how to apply for retirement, should that step become necessary. Here is some guidance:

NYSLRS members who become seriously ill from the COVID-19 virus may wish to file for retirement in order to provide a continuing pension benefit to their beneficiary if they were to die, rather than the one-time in-service death benefit.

If this should become something an employee may need to consider, either they or Human Resources would need to file the disability retirement application. If an employee does not recover after applying, the disability retirement application would be effective upon death. If the member recovers, the disability retirement application can be withdrawn prior to approval.

Forms can be faxed to 518-474-3510 or 518-473-8190 or emailed directly to NYSLRS’ Disability Processing Unit at disprocessing@osc.ny.gov.  If Human Resources submits a disability retirement application on an employee’s behalf, the member or the member’s spouse, must file a Pension Payment Option Election Form to identify a beneficiary to receive the continuing benefit. The option election form must be notarized. An option election form cannot be filed by Human Resources.

For more information, visit the Disability Benefits Page (osc.ny.state.us/retire) on the NYSLRS website or call the NYSLRS Contact Center at 866-805-0990.

Eligible employees may also file for service retirement. However, a service retirement must be on file with NYSLRS at least 15 days prior to the retirement date, and a service retirement cannot be cancelled if the date of retirement has passed.

This announcement and the associated forms will be located on the Employee Portal.

Be well. 

-Nora Cairo

April 2, 2020 - CCA 

We wanted to make you aware of supportive programming being offered by our Employee Assistance Program, CCA@YourService, for the week of 4/6/20.

 

The first is a series of dial-in support groups, offering a forum where participants can share challenges and gain strategies for managing stress, coping with feelings of loneliness, and working remotely during COVID-19. To register for a session, click on the associated link. Please note that multiple session dates and times are being offered for each topic to accommodate schedules and maximize participation.

 

Working Remotely with Kids at Home

April 6 @ 1:00pm EDT

April 8 @ 2:00pm EDT

 

Social Distancing—Alone but Not Lonely

April 6 @ 10:00am EDT

April 8 @ 11:00am EDT

April 10 @ 11:30am EDT

 

COVID-19 Stress Management

April 7 @ 12:00pm EDT

April 9 @ 2:00pm EDT

 

The next is a mindfulness series. The practice of mindfulness can help you release tension, regain focus, and reset for improved well-being. These 10-minute, live sessions are an opportunity to experience these benefits for yourself. To register for a session, click on the associated link. You may register for more than one session, if you’d like!

 

Tuesday 4/7

12:00pm EDT https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8743901810150116878

12:30pm EDT https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8173965559845934350

 

Wednesday 4/8

9:00am EDT https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/1557712613820169742

9:30am EDT https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/7658577180907382542

4:30pm EDT https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/1586270229328299022

5:00pm EDT https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/1417476502767138574

 

Thursday 4/9

3:30am EDT https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/319394240107319822

4:00am EDT https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/324514665757909774

5:00pm EDT https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/6026503902078726926

5:30pm EDT https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8832432287395667726

 

Friday 4/10

12:00pm EDT https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/1286843526271298830

12:30pm EDT https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8586902544820335886

Please be reminded that CCA@YourService is available 24/7 to provide emotional and practical support to you and your family members. 

 

Confidential toll-free helpline: 800-833-8707

Confidential member website: www.myccaonline.com (Company Code: SCWA )

-Nora Cairo

March 30, 2020 - SCWA Phone Numbers in Address Book 

Hello Everyone - There have been some questions from employees working remotely from home who are unable to view who from SCWA may be contacting them on their cell phones. It has also been difficult for some employees to remember how to contact that person if all they have is the extension. As you know, using an outside line can be tricky  – is it 218----? Is it 563-0---? Or is it 563-9---?

 

IT has updated the search function within Outlook to address these concerns.

 

To search for an employee by name or by number – enter it into the Search People box. The person’s contact information will come up and the full 7-digit telephone number is displayed. 

 

Thank you IT for your assistance.

contact_search_screenshot 

-Donna Mancuso

March 27, 2020 - Delivery of Mail and Supplies to Oakdale & Great River Offices

Please see link here from Bill Martin regarding the delivery of mail and supplies to the Oakdale and Great River offices. This change is effective today.  Thank you for your anticipated cooperation.

March 26, 2020 - Empire Plan 

The Empire Plan is doing all they can to support its enrollees through this unprecedented time and has introduced a new telehealth benefit to help them access health care services remotely.

LiveHealth Online lets enrollees stay home and have a video visit with a board-certified doctor or licensed therapist on their smartphone, tablet or personal computer.

If you are concerned about leaving your homes to receive medical care or your ability to access care, The Empire Plan will cover telehealth visits at no cost. See the link here for additional information and step-by-step instructions to register. As you will see in the attachment, when booking an appointment, you will be asked for a credit card in order to move forward, however your card will NOT be charged as long as you use the coupon code below.

For additional assistance, call The Empire Plan at 1-877-7-NYSHIP (1-877-769-7447) and select option 2 for the Hospital Program.

Coupon Code: NYSHIP (to waive cost of telehealth visit)

Note: A postcard regarding this new benefit will also be mailed to you this coming week.

Stay well!

-Nora Cairo

March 26, 2020 - Working Remote 

f you have been given approval to work from home, please stay home. We have had a few recent instances of employees coming in to cover for another employee or work in the office partial days and then develop symptoms of COVID. This puts the rest of the employees at risk unnecessarily.

The purpose of working from home is to limit the exposure and the spread of the virus. It defeats the purpose when you come into the office.

If the management of the department wants to alternate schedules for employees to have coverage in the office, please schedule 1 week in and 1 week out. However, it is preferred for employees approved to work from home to continue to work from home until this crisis is over.

Remote employees should not return to working in the office unless approved by the CEO or me.

Thank you for keeping all of us as safe as possible.

Stay well. 

-Donna Mancuso

 March 24, 2020 - CCA 

We want to again remind you to get the emotional support and resources you might need while dealing with this challenging situation.

Our EAP, CCA@YourService is available 24/7 at 800-833–8707.

You can also log onto the website at myccaonline.com (Web ID: SCWA) for extensive information and resources. They are also hosting weekly webinars on a variety of topics. Please register below.

PARENTING DURING COVID-19 – MARCH 26 @ 11am
PARENTING DURING COVID-19 – MARCH 30 @3pm
WORKING REMOTELY – MARCH 31 @ 2pm
STRESS MANAGEMENT – APRIL 1 @ 10:30am
WORKING REMOTELY – APRIL 1 @ 2pm
STRESS MANAGEMENT – APRIL 2 @ 3pm
WORKING REMOTELY – APRIL 3 @ 11am

We care about you and want to help you as much as possible during this difficult time.

Be well,

-Nora Cairo

March 23, 2020 - NYSDOH Guidelines 

Linked here is the NYSDOH guidelines referenced in Jeff Szabo’s last email.

-Donna Mancuso

March 17, 2020 - CCA

We are committed to providing you and your family members with the emotional support you may need during this challenging time. Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP), CCA@YourService, is fully open, operational and available to assist you. 

You can reach CCA@YourService at 800-833-8707. You can also access information and resources via the website at myccaonline.com Use login code: scwa.

CCA@YourService will be hosting a free webinar COVID-19: Managing Stress. Please select from one of the options below, and click on the associated link to register. If the sessions exceed maximum capacity, additional sessions will be added, so please stay tuned.

Your health and wellbeing are our top priority. 

Coronavirus: Managing Stress  - Friday, March 20  - 11:00 am - 12:00 pm EST
Coronavirus: Managing Stress  - Tuesday, March 24 - 11:00 am -  12:00pm EST
Coronavirus: Managing Stress - Wednesday, March 25 - 1:30 - 2:30pm EST

-Nora Cairo

March 13, 2020 - Request a Shift Change during COVID-19 

After hearing from employees and upon discussion with the executive staff, HR developed the attached form for employees to request a shift change during the COVID-19 outbreak. This is to allow employees, whenever possible, to change their work hours to allow them to look after their children in the event of school closures. If an employee is responsible for the care of another person (elderly parent or a relative with special needs) and their care facility closes due to COVID-19, this form should also be used.

Please note that a request will only be granted if it specifically pertains to COVID-19 and when it does not impact our ability to ensure the continuity of our vital operations. Some departments may not be able to provide a shift in schedule but we will try to be responsive to employees’ needs to the extent practicable.

- Donna Mancuso

March 13, 2020 - COVID-19 Q & A

On behalf of CEO Jeff Szabo:

To all Employees:

Below are the answers to the questions you’ve asked since yesterday morning about the COVID-19 virus and SCWA protocol during the outbreak. Please note that the questions you submitted may have been edited for clarity and/or combined with other similar questions from other employees.

I hope this is helpful and please feel free to send any additional questions to Tim Motz at tim.motz@scwa.com.

Please post this message for those without email accounts.

 

Has it been discussed how to handle our business in the event of widespread school closures? I’m sure there are a lot of employees with young children in school that will have a hard time coming to work because they will not have child care.

 

Yes. We are currently developing a procedure for employees, both management and union, to request a shift change during the COVID-19 outbreak to allow employees, whenever possible, to change their work hours that allow them to look after their children in the event of school closures.   An HR form will be available for employees to request a shift change, likely by this afternoon.  Please note that a request will only be granted if it specifically pertains to the virus and when it does not impact our ability to ensure the continuity of our vital operations.

This plan would have the additional benefit of limiting the number the employees in a given office at a given time, which in and of itself will help to protect the safety of our workforce.

 

When a person comes into work sick, not knowing if it’s a just a common cold, allergies or COVID-19, will they be either mandated to go home or mandated to stay at work?  

If an employee is sick, they should stay home, particularly if he or she has symptoms associated with the virus, such as a fever, shortness of breath or cough. If a supervisor has reason to feel that an employee has such symptoms, the supervisor may tell the employee to go home for the safety of other employees. As to the second point, no, there is no circumstance in which an employee would be directed to stay if he or she is sick.

 

If an employee is sick, will he or she be required to see a doctor and bring in a doctor’s note certifying that the person does not have the coronavirus or flu? 

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other medical professionals have asked citizens to be mindful of not overwhelming already overtaxed medical staff. With that in mind, there is no requirement that an employee bring in note certifying they do not have the virus. However, if an employee does have the virus, he or she will need to be cleared by a doctor to return to work.

 

Will the Water Authority implement a policy and infrastructure to allow employees to work from home in order to ensure public safety? I understand this is not a solution for all employees but it will be for anyone working in an office.

We have been evaluating the feasibility of this for weeks. We provide an essential product that sustains human life, so we need to do everything we can to ensure as many of our employees as possible are working. If it becomes necessary to do so, we expect that we’ll allow employees to work from home where possible. We are already in the process of testing out work-from-home scenarios.

 

What is the Authority’s position on employees who have been out of the country or even traveled within the country recently as to their return to work? 

SCWA supervisors do not have the authority to ask employees about recent travel. However, for the safety of all, we encourage employees to voluntarily alert Human Resources about recent travel if they feel it’s relevant.

 

If an employee were to contract the virus and must stay home for any length of time, will the Water Authority require us to use our own time?

Yes, employees will be required to use their accruals.

 

If someone is mandated to stay home for two weeks, but doesn’t have the sick/vacation time to do so will the Water Authority provide the sick time to cover them?

No, but the federal government is reportedly contemplating stimulus legislation that may include such measures. It’s simply too early to say what provisions any stimulus package may or may not include.

 

Should we not allow customers in to use our restrooms since they can’t come into the office? 

Customers are only allowed to use bathrooms that do not require entrance into a secured area. This means customers may use the bathroom in the common area of the Coram building in front of the counter. SCWA is renting portable toilets and placing them at PC Bayshore, Oakdale, and Westhampton. They will be placed near the location used by delivery companies to deliver goods to SCWA, such as chlorine, lime or pipe fittings so that delivery people don’t need to use a SCWA bathroom.

 

To avoid everyone getting sick at the same time, can we try having as many employees as possible not come into the offices at all? By utilizing Clevest, we can just work out of our trucks with our computers.

We’re not going to ask employees to not come into offices at all, but we strongly advise  employees to avoid congregating in breakout rooms or other work stations whenever possible and, if you are a field worker, to get into vehicles and out into the field as soon as possible.

 

Are the cleaning people wiping down doorknobs and surfaces with disinfectant?

Yes. Cleaning staff have been advised that we require them to pay special attention to the doorknobs and frequently touched surfaces and to wipe them down each night with disinfectant. But we also encourage all employees to keep their own work spaces disinfected in order to help protect the health of all SCWA employees. We are also using our best judgement in providing disinfectant supplies to office and field staff while ensuring that our supplies last as long as possible until supply keeps up with demand.

 

At what point should someone decide to stay home? For instance, I felt a little under the weather the past few days and had a few symptoms of sickness.

If you feel sick, you should not come to work, particularly if you are experiencing symptoms the CDC has indicated are associated with the virus, such as fever, shortness of breath or a cough.

 

If the most common form of infection from COVID-19 is from respiratory droplets spread by a person’s cough or sneeze, why does the CDC not recommend wearing a facemask to protect from COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases?

Here’s how one health expert, Dr. Payal Kohli, answered this question for a news station in Denver: “Surgical masks are not recommended at this time by the CDC to prevent transmission of coronavirus. This is because surgical masks, which are largely ineffective in preventing transmission of COVID-19, are relatively loose-fitting and only protect from large respiratory droplets. They are not effective in filtering or protecting against small respiratory droplets that can carry coronavirus and cause infection. Some experts believe that the masks may actually increase the risk of transmission due to improper use, more frequent touching of your face to reposition the mask and a false sense of security of protection, making it less likely that you would wash your hands.”

 

 

What medication is prescribed for an infected person?

According to the CDC, there is no specific antiviral medicine to prevent or treat COVID-19, so treatment currently consists of supportive care to help relieve symptoms and, for severe cases, care to support vital organs.

 

If you have no symptoms of COVID-19, should you get tested as a precautionary measure? If so, is the test covered by our Empire Plan? Do most doctors have testing supplies? Should we have children tested as well?  

If there’s a medical reason for a doctor to request the COVID-19 test, then absolutely SCWA health insurance will cover it. The other questions are more appropriately handled by health professionals. Employees are encouraged to go to www.cdc.gov. The site has comprehensive information, including commonly asked questions, about COVID-19.

 

If an employee in the office you work in is confirmed with COVID-19, will all employees they work with be quarantined? And if so, will quarantined employees be asked to use their own accruals, or will they receive their salary without having to use accrued time?

Any employee confirmed with COVID-19 will be referred to the Suffolk County Department of Health Services, which will make a determination as to what subsequent steps should be taken to protect the health of other employees. Presently, any employee that may need to be quarantined would be required to use their own accruals, unless funding to cover such employees is approved by the federal or state government.

 

If someone who works here, or a spouse, or friend, or acquaintance comes in contact with someone that tested positive for COVID-19, what should they do?

Report it to Human Resources. It will be referred to the Suffolk County Department of Health Services for a determination as to how to proceed.

 

Can COVID-19 traverse our distribution system and if so, what methods are in place that eliminate the threat?

No. SCWA water is disinfected with chlorine at pump stations, and a virus such as COVID-19 would not survive the disinfection process.

 

Will SCWA have a COVID-19 testing clinic on site for employees, if/when it becomes available?

We do not at this point expect to host an onsite testing clinic for the virus.

 

Will SCWA have a COVID-19 vaccination clinic on site for employees, if/when it becomes available?

No. We anticipate we will rely on guidance from the New York State Department of Health and Suffolk County Department of Health Services regarding proper vaccination protocol.

 

If an employee becomes ill, does SCWA have a plan to sanitize the site where they work?

Yes, we will absolutely sanitize work sites at which an employee has become ill from COVID-19.

 

Is there a “shelter in place” plan for SCWA employees should it become necessary to keep staff on site?

We do have cots, blankets and towels in place for such a contingency, but in such an outbreak as this, health officials would likely be more inclined to have employees isolate from other employees at their homes rather than congregate at a work site overnight.

-Donna Mancuso