Good Morning, All –

I hope that everyone at each of your sites, and your families are all doing well, as we proceed day by day with the new normal.

I would like to address some of the questions that are arising, as well as to provide guidance as we move ahead:

• As you receive calls about someone being out, please ask the follow up questions. In times like these, we can ask why someone is out, and determine if we need to take any other steps on our part.  If they have a sick family member, find out the cause.  If it is not flu or virus related, they will be able to return when the family member is well, or when they are able to, and as soon as possible.  If it is due to the flu or the potential of the Corona Virus or possible exposure to it, they will need to self-quarantine until their family member is diagnosed or found to be free of the flu or virus.
• We will continue to follow our standard policies for sick time and RTW, but we know that flexibility will be required, and I can assist you case by case.
• In situations where someone is “Not Comfortable” coming in, and they have no reason, they will not be eligible to use paid time, nor can they collect unemployment.  This will be their personal decision and they need to understand the protocol.  You can refer any employee to me with questions.
• If an employee is in a HIGH-RISK Category, and they are being told by their doctor that they need to stay home because of possible exposure, they can use whatever sick or PTO time they have during that time.  They may have a doctor’s note to provide to us, but more than likely, we will not see many notes during this time.  Our older officers may fall into this category, as well as someone with an immune system that is compromised.  I can guide you through these situations.
• If you have performance issues during this time, please address them as you normally do and follow our Progressive Discipline policies, involving me and your DM’s in each situation, as you normally do.  At this time, we will do any termination remotely, so you can get the conduct report approved, and have a conversation with the employee and email them the form, for them to sign and return.  We will contest any claim for someone who resigns or is termed for cause, and I will need your documentation on these situations, as always.

• Please continue to do COS forms and submit them as normal.

• Please do not post or share and memos or notices for your employees without getting my approval, as well as the approval of the RVP.  We will continue to follow our normal protocol for any employee communication.  Trust that as things change state by state, or federally, we will comply and notify everyone.

Please let me know if you have any questions on the above.  I will be here to guide everyone as needed, so call me anytime on my cell.

As you can see, communication and quick action is very critical during this time, since the virus can spread quickly and create scenarios where many people are affected and may have to self-quarantine.  We are hoping for limited illness among our employees and their families, and I know that everyone is working very hard to keep areas clean, sanitized and safe for their employees, and our clients are doing the same thing.  Let’s continue to follow all of those good health practices at work and at home.

Everyone is working hard, and you are all doing a wonderful job of managing, communicating, bringing questions forth and handling situations calmly.  We will all get through this together and I am here to help at any time!

Thank you all.

Take care and stay well,

Valerie J. Izzo