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Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources for Supervisors

Read the July 8 Campus COVID Update from LCC's emergency team.

Need to report a confirmed or suspected case, or have a COVID question? Contact us asap at covid@lowercolumbia.edu.

If you believe you were exposed to the virus, or have become ill, you must follow the rules of LCC's Return to Campus Guide before visiting campus. See also: Return to Campus Guide for Childcare.

Visit our Campus Closure and Emergency Information page for more information about what's open on campus.

Apply for emergency financial assistance if you need help paying for tuition and fees, books, rent, food, childcare, technology, or other emergency or COVID-19 related expenses. Emergency Assistance Funding Request Form.

COVID-19 Response Supervisor Information

As LCC transitions towards our “new normal”, we are sharing resources for supervisors in navigating new changes and COVID-related scenarios.

Steps to Take Regarding Summer Quarter

  • LCC is moving into a soft reopening on July 19. Supervisors should work with their teams to determine next steps for summer telework and in-person services and activities as we transition to our new normal fall quarter.
  • Employees who are directed to telework or work in-person and choose not to must submit leave accordingly. They might qualify for leave based upon this chart. Contact HR if you have questions.
  • The Resources for Employees COVID-19 webpage lists the types of leave available to LCC employees in a variety of circumstances.

Telework

Steps for Requesting to Telework:

** Note if a Telework Agreement was already approved, we will automatically extend it through September 7, 2021. Employees only need to resubmit telework agreements if their schedule changes for summer quarter.

All employee types (FT, PTH, Student employees, etc.) must submit a telework request if they plan to telework. Here are the steps for employees that are requesting to telework:

  1. Employee completes the telework agreement form and it will route to the supervisor for approval.
  2. HR will review the request and may reach out to the supervisor to ensure that telework is feasible for that position.
  3. Overtime eligible employees must keep track of their teleworking hours and report hours accordingly in ctcLink. To help keep teleworking employees accountable, please utilize the telework activity log. You can create a copy of the Google doc for your employees (path: File > Make a Copy).

         Please note there may be payroll implications for employees teleworking out-of-state.

Remote Access to Confidential Information

Normal rules and regulations on confidential information (FERPA, confidential files and documents, etc.) remain. Please be mindful about this when approving work to be done at home.

Conferences, Meetings and Business-Related Gatherings

  • Beginning July 19, LCC will be offering more in-person services. In-person may occur in accordance with COVID safety procedures (i.e. social distancing, mask procedures, etc.). 

Direction Related to Work Travel

  • All business travel to impacted areas on the CDC list Warning Levels 3 and 2 is canceled. Exceptions must be approved by the College President. See CDC travel detail and risk assessment by country
  • Limit all non-essential business travel. Essential travel is determined by the College President.

When determining what is essential travel, the President will consider several factors, including:

  • Is the travel related to the agency COOP?
  • What is the destination and is it currently impacted?
  • What is the mode of travel and does it involve movement through impacted areas described in the CDC link above?
  • What is the mission, and does it take the person into a higher exposure situation (i.e. large conference)
  • Are there alternative methods that can still accomplish the mission (video conference, remote access)?

Maintain confidentiality

If working with an employee confirmed to have COVID-19 infection, LCC will inform employees of their possible exposure in the workplace but maintain confidentiality as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Supervisor FAQs

What if I identify someone in the workplace who is sick?

If you believe you were exposed to the virus, or have become ill, you must follow the rules of LCC's Return to Campus Guide before visiting campus. See also: Return to Campus Guide for Childcare.

What if I find out there is an exposed employee at work?

If you believe you were exposed to the virus, or have become ill, you must follow the rules of LCC's Return to Campus Guide before visiting campus. See also: Return to Campus Guide for Childcare.

 

Report the exposure to covid@lowercolumbia.edu

What if an employee has an exposure, but they’ve been vaccinated?

If an employee has been vaccinated and has an exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, they are not required to quarantine if they meet all of the following criteria:

  • Are fully vaccinated (i.e. it’s been 2 weeks or more since you received your second dose in the 2-dose series or more than 2 weeks since you received one dose of the single-dose vaccine)

  • Have remained asymptomatic since the current COVID-19 exposure

Please direct any questions to HR.

Do vaccinated employees still have to maintain social distance and wear a mask?

If a fully vaccinated employee does not want to wear a mask, they need to verify their vaccination status with HR.  All vaccinated and unvaccinated employees need to maintain 3 feet social distancing.

If an employee is returning to Washington from out of the country, are they required to quarantine?

Please refer to the CDC's current guidance for travel.

What if I find out an employee has a underlying health condition identified by the CDC that places them at higher risk?

What we recommend:

  • Ask them if they would like to request an accommodationunder The Health Emergency Labor Standards Act (HELSA). During a public health emergency, HELSA protects high-risk employees, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), from risk of exposure to the COVID-19 disease on the job. Specifically, employers may not discriminate against an employee who is high-risk for seeking accommodation regarding exposure or, if no accommodation is reasonable, utilizing all available leave options, such as unpaid leave and unemployment insurance.  A Q&A on HELSA can be found here. 

The law defines a “high-risk” employee as one whose:

  • Age or underlying health condition puts them at high risk of contracting a severe illness(as defined by CDC see the CDC’s list) ) from an infectious or contagious disease that is the subject of the public health  emergency, as defined by the CDC; and
  • Medical provider has recommended removal from the workforce due to their high risk of contracting a severe illness

If the employee is included on the list of those who are at increased risk, as defined by the CDC, (see the CDC’s list) and would like to request an accommodation under HELSA, they need to   complete the High Risk Accommodation Form and reach out to Human Resources at hr@lowercolumbia.edu so we can begin the interactive accommodation process.

 

What leave should be used if telework is not an option?

If leave is necessary, leave may be used in accordance with this chart.

What if my employee is unable to wear a face mask?

 If one of your employees indicates they are unable to wear a face mask due to a medical reason, please refer them to HR so HR can assist with the accommodation process.

What can and can't I ask my staff?

Can I ask my employee if they are experiencing COVID-like symptoms?

Yes, you may ask them this question. Don’t ask them to disclose if they have an underlying medical condition. If they are experiencing COVID-like symptoms, they need to stay home and not come to work. They may return to work with a doctor’s note or  when they have been symptom free for 48 hours.

Can I ask my employee if they are traveling outside of the country?

Yes, you may ask them this question. Please refer to the CDC's current guidance for travel.

Is it ok for me to tell my employees that they should follow proper hand washing techniques? What about cough and sneeze etiquette?

Yes. This is something you should be actively encouraging in your workplace. See the CDC's website for cough and sneeze etiquette and hand hygiene.

My employee is diagnosed with COVID-19. Now what?

Report the positive COVID test to Covid@lowercolumbia.edu and have them stay home until further direction. 

Contact Safety & Security

The Safety & Security Office is located in the Student Center on the first floor (main lobby). To reach a campus security office call 2911 from a campus phone or (360) 442-2911 from any other phone.

Director or Student Conduct and Security Services

  Jason Arrowsmith
  Student Center Room 106
  (360) 442-2270
  jarrowsmith@lowercolumbia.edu

Director of Environmental Health & Safety

  Janel Skreen
  Health & Science Building Room 324
  (360) 442-2273
  jskreen@lowercolumbia.edu

Vice President of Administration

  Nolan Wheeler
  Administration Building, Rm 203
  (360) 442-2200
  nwheeler@lowercolumbia.edu

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