Will Aitchison presents COVID-19 policy issues in a Q&A format. The questions along with their timestamps are as follows:

1. Is the employer’s policy centralized? In other words, is there a single document that includes all aspects of your policy as opposed to a dozen different documents in a dozen different forms? (00:01:36)
2. Does the employer have a medical professional available on a 24/7 basis? (00:02:40)
3. Has the employer made arrangements for drive-through or other expedited COVID-19 testing? If so, can asymptomatic employees who are not in any high risk group participate in the testing? (00:03:31)
4. Are vehicles properly stocked with supplies? (N-95 respirator, disposable gloves, gowns, eye protection, contamination bags) (00:04:52)
5. Is the employer required to conduct routine cleaning and disinfection of stations, vehicles, and other work sites? (00:05:56)
6. Does the employer have procedures in place for first responders who encounter an individual who is displaying symptoms consistent with COVID-19? (immediate supervisory review, EMS transport, don’t bring to police station, disposal of PPE, etc.) (00:07:01)
7. If an employee has an on-the-job exposure to an individual who has displayed symptoms consistent with COVID-19 . . . (00:09:40)
   a. Does the policy define what an “exposure” is?
   b. Is the employee required to contact a supervisor?
   c. Will the employee be ordered to leave work? (symptomatic, asymptomatic)
   d. If so, will the employee be ordered to self-quarantine?
   e. If so, for how long?
   f. How will the employee’s time off work be handled? Special sick leave or administrative leave, a requirement that the employee use her own leave, etc.?
8. If an employee has an on-the-job exposure to an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19 . . . (00:17:13)
   a. Is the employee required to contact a supervisor?
   b. Will the employee be ordered to leave work?
   c. If so, will the employee be ordered to self-quarantine?
   d. If so, for how long?
   e. How will the employee’s time off work be handled? Special sick leave or administrative leave, a requirement that the employee use her own leave, etc.?
9. If an employee displays symptoms consistent with COVID-19 . . . (00:18:25)
   a. Is the employee required to contact a supervisor?
   b. Will the employee be ordered to leave work?
   c. If so, will the employee be ordered to self-quarantine?
   d. If so, for how long?
   e. How will the employee’s time off work be handled? Special sick leave or administrative leave, a requirement that the employee use her own leave, etc.?
10. If an employee has an off-the-job exposure to an individual who has displayed symptoms consistent with COVID-19 . . . (00:20:14)
    a. Is the employee required to contact a supervisor?
    b. Will the employee be ordered to leave work? (symptomatic, asymptomatic)
    c. If so, will the employee be ordered to self-quarantine?
    d. If so, for how long?
    e. How will the employee’s time off work be handled? Special sick leave or administrative leave, a requirement that the employee use her own leave, etc.?
11. If the employee tests positive for COVID-19 but is asymptomatic, what happens? (00:20:43)
12. If an employee tests positive for COVID-19, are other employees who came into contact with that employee notified? (00:22:22)
13. Is the employer requiring doctor’s notes for employees absent from work for COVID-19 reasons? (00:25:07)
14. How will the workers’ compensation/pension system treat employees who test positive for COVID-19? Who are simply exposed to COVID-19? (00:28:14)
15. If the employee is ordered to self-quarantine, will the employer provide a pre-paid quarantine location? (hotel) Do the employer’s quarantine-at-home policies change if the employee lives with one or more individuals who are at risk? (compromised immune system, medical condition, age, etc.) (00:32:29)
16. Is the employer offering flexible schedules for employees with childcare needs caused by COVID-19? (00:35:49)
17. What is the employer’s telecommuting policy? Who can telecommute? (00:41:58)
18. Do first responders receive any form of hazardous duty pay? (00:43:44)
19. How does the policy relate to the employee’s regular leave accrual? (Allowing relaxation of leave accrual caps so an employee doesn’t lose accruals, especially where an employer has cancelled pre-approved leave. Leave borrowing against future accruals for COVID related absences). (00:47:20)
20. If an employer has “opted-in” to the FFCRA for first responders, do those benefits run concurrently with whatever is offered under the employer’s policy? (00:50:33)

The Department of Labor definition of a first responder can be found at https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic/ffcra-questions.

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