COVID-19 INFORMATION
Faculty & Staff Resources
Return to the Workplace
Workplace Expectations and Guidelines
Message from the President
Since the closing of campus due to the arrival COVID-19, West Liberty University began implementing guidelines in its Emergency Response Manual that includes a “Response to Pandemic Event” with the guidance of the WLU Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT). The following Return to the Workplace Guidelines are aligned with current recommendations from the Governor’s Office, the CDC, Ohio County health officials, WLU CIRT Team, and the President’s Cabinet.
As the COVID-19 crisis continues to evolve, our plans and guidelines will evolve accordingly. The following Return to the Workplace Guidelines document is intended to serve as guidelines for WLU office operations.
Workplace Expectations and Guidelines
All employees are expected to fully comply with the policies, protocols and guidelines outlined in this document as part of WLU’s Workplace Expectations and Guidelines. Failure to do so may result in corrective action up to and including termination of employment.
Our knowledge and understanding of the COVID-19 virus continues to evolve, and our policies and plans will be updated as appropriate as more information becomes available.
Symptom Monitoring
Employees who have been instructed to return to the workplace must conduct symptom monitoring every day before reporting to work. People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported—ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:
- Cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fever, chills, muscle pain, sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
- This list is not all possible symptoms. Other less common symptoms have been reported, including gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
Employees demonstrating the following conditions must stay at home:
- A fever (100.4° F [38.0° C] or greater) using an oral thermometer
- And/or symptoms of acute respiratory illness (i.e. dry cough, shortness of breath)
- Lack of taste and or smell
If symptoms continue or progress, they should contact their health care provider for medical advice.
Additionally, do not report to campus if:
- Currently being tested for COVID-19.
- You are sick (with any illness).
- Received notification from public health officials (state or local) that you are a close contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19.
- Are caring for or live with someone who has been notified of potential exposure and/or are in quarantine.
UPDATE 07/20/20: Employees must self-report to their supervisor AND Human Resources via email ( hr@westliberty.edu ) if they:
- Are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or have been tested and awaiting results or have tested positive for COVID-19.
- Have been in close contact with someone who is experiencing symptoms or may have been exposed to COVID-19 or has tested positive for COVID-19.
- Close contact is defined as: you were within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for at least 15 minutes, you provided care at home to someone who is sick with COVID-19, you had direct physical contact with the person (touched, hugged, or kissed them), you shared eating or drinking utensils, they sneezed, coughed, or somehow got respiratory droplets on you.
Symptomatic employees should immediately contact their healthcare provider for guidance. HR will work closely with employees to determine if they should quarantine/isolate at home and when they are able to return to work.
UPDATE 08/05/20: Employees are also required to report a positive COVID-19 test result or report if they have been asked to quarantine/isolate by health officials as a result of a direct contact with a COVID-19 positive case here https://westliberty.edu/residence-life/positivecovid/.
Phased Staffing
Cabinet Members will begin to phase staffing levels appropriate for their department throughout June and July, with the intent to have everyone back on campus by early August.
Employees who may be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 may continue to telecommute, with advance approval from their supervisors. Requests to telecommute beyond July may invoke the interactive process under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), may require physician documentation, and may be assessed for a reasonable accommodation and/or undue hardship on the department or the university.
According to the CDC, some individuals might be at a higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 or may need to take extra precautions. The most current guidance and additional information can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/index.html.
Staffing Options
Once employees have been instructed to return to work on site, there are several options departments should consider to maintain required physical distancing measures and reduce population density within buildings and work spaces.
Remote Work: Those who can work remotely to fulfill some or all of their work responsibilities may continue to do so in the early phases to reduce the number of individuals on campus and the potential spread of the COVID-19 virus. These arrangements, which must be approved by the immediate supervisor, may be done on a full or partial day/week schedule, as appropriate.
Alternating Days: In order to limit the number of individuals and interactions among those on campus, departments should consider scheduling partial staffing on alternating days. Such schedules will help enable physical distancing, especially in areas with large common workspaces.
Staggered Reporting/Departing: The beginning and end of the workday typically bring many people together at common entry/exit points of buildings. Staggering reporting and departure times by at least 30 minutes will reduce traffic in common areas to meet physical distancing requirements.
Health and Safety Options
Personal Safety Practices
Stay at Home if you are Sick. Monitor your symptoms daily.
Wash Hands. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry. Hand sanitizer stations will be available throughout university buildings. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Social Distance. Avoid close contact with people who are sick and put distance between yourself and others. Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people. Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread the virus.
- Avoid shaking hands.
- Do not enter other employees’ personal workspaces.
- Reduce high-touch exposures by propping open interior doors where feasible.
- Do not gather in groups.
Wear Face Masks.
UPDATE 11/14/20: Effective November 14, 2020, Governor Jim Justice issued statewide Executive Order No. 77-20 requiring face masks be worn at all times in all public buildings. Exception: Face masks must be worn at all times in individual offices when more than one person is present.
Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The face covering is not a substitute for physical distancing. Wear a face covering when you go out of your personal workspace. The face covering is meant to protect other people in case you are infected. You could spread COVID-19 even if you do not feel sick.
The university will provide every employee with one cloth face mask. Employees may also bring their own face coverings from home, if desired. The CDC currently recommends that cloth face coverings should be washed after each use. It is important to always remove face coverings correctly and wash your hands after handling or touching a used face covering.
UPDATE 07/20/20: On June 2, 2020, WLU Human Resources sent out our Return to Work Expectations and Guidelines. The guidelines require that all employees wear masks when social distancing is not possible. Further, Governor Jim Justice issued statewide Executive Order NO. 50-20, effective July 7, 2020, requiring that face masks be worn indoors when not able to adequately social distance. This includes wearing face masks at all times in individual offices when more than one person is present. Effective 07/20/2020, failure to comply with WLU face mask guidelines and/or the Governor’s Executive Order may result in corrective action — up to and including termination of employment in accordance with BOG Policy 57.
Cover Coughs and Sneezes. If you are in a private setting and do not have on your face covering, remember to always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or use the inside of your elbow. Throw used tissues in the trash. Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Clean and Disinfect. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily.
- Minimize the sharing of office equipment to the greatest extent possible. Office common spaces, including countertops, conference tables and chairs, light switches, drawer handles, phones and copiers should be wiped down frequently.
- Employees should frequently clean their personal workspaces, including wiping down their desks, tables, phones, keyboards, light switches, etc.
Health and Safety
Work Environment
UPDATE 08/05/20: As a reminder, children are not permitted on campus or in any campus buildings at this time. Employees who are impacted by school hours, bus schedules, school closures, etc., should work directly with their supervisor to determine if other working arrangements can be made to accommodate any conflict with employee work hours.
Restrooms. Use of restrooms should be limited based on size to ensure at least 6 feet of distance between individuals. Employees must wash their hands thoroughly afterward to reduce the potential transmission of the virus.
Elevators. No more than 1-2 people should be in an elevator at a time, so please use the stairs whenever possible. If you are using the elevator, wear your face covering and avoid touching the elevator buttons with your exposed hand/fingers, if possible. Wash your hands or use alcohol-based hand sanitizers upon departing the elevator.
Meetings. Convening in groups increases the risk of viral transmission. Meetings should be held in whole or part using the extensive range of available collaboration tools (e.g. Microsoft Teams, Zoom, telephone, etc.).
- In-person meetings are limited to the restrictions of local, state and federal orders and should not exceed 50 percent of a room’s capacity, assuming individuals can still maintain 6 feet of separation for physical distancing requirements. Departments should remove or rearrange chairs and tables or add visual cue marks in meeting rooms to support physical distancing practices between attendees. All attendees should wear a face covering while sharing space in a common room. During your time on site, you are encouraged to communicate with your coworkers as needed by e-mail, instant message, telephone or other available technology, rather than face-to-face.
Meals. Employees are encouraged to take food back to their office area or eat outside, if this is reasonable for your situation.
- Office kitchens and breakrooms may not be used for communal gathering or dining in.
- Wash or sanitize your hands before and after using shared appliances like refrigerators and microwaves. After use, wipe appliances down and immediately wash your hands.
- Use of communal coffee pots and water fountains is discouraged.
Building Access. All buildings will continue to be secured to limit entry to employees only until further notice. Your WLU employee ID card may be required for entry.
- Do not hold or prop open exterior doors for any other person.
- No visitors or guests will be permitted in university buildings.
- Once you have been instructed to return to the workplace, you should contact your supervisor for coordination of access to your building if you do not have a key.
Travel. University travel will be limited and prior approval by respective Cabinet Member will be required.
Update 07/17/20: Personal travel-Please be advised that if you are currently traveling or plan to travel to a location that is a hot spot based on current CDC data, you may be required to quarantine at home for 5 business days prior to returning to campus. Where telework is not appropriate, this may require the use of additional Annual Leave. Please work directly with your supervisor to determine if your travel plans and return to work will be impacted.
Mental Health. Optum, part of UnitedHealth Group, operates an Emotional-Support Help Line. Professionally trained, mental health staff are there to support people who may be suffering from fear or stress created by COVID-19. Optum’s Emotional-Support Help Line number is 866-342- 6892 and will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The service is free of charge and open to all PEIA members.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How do employees know when they are to return to work on site?
A. Each Cabinet Member will contact you via e-mail and/or phone at least one week before your expected return.
Q. Why can’t I continue to telecommute indefinitely? My job can be done remotely, so I don’t really need to be on site.
A. WLU’s business model is a bricks-and-mortar university that offers a full campus experience. This personal interaction is at the heart of what we do. Our students and our community expect us to be here to provide educational and other services in person.
Q. What if an employee becomes ill with fever, cough or other concerning symptoms?
A. Employees who are sick must stay at home and seek medical assistance as appropriate. Employees should immediately inform their supervisor and Human Resources. Personal information will be kept confidential.
Q. What if an employee believes he/she has been exposed to COVID-19?
A. If an employee is in close contact with someone with COVID-19 and/or develops symptoms of the virus, they should call their healthcare provider and tell them about the symptoms. The healthcare provider will decide whether or not the employee needs to be tested. Stay home if COVID-19 symptoms develop and go home immediately if symptoms occur at work.
Q. Will all employees be tested for COVID-19 before returning to work on site?
A. No. Current public health guidelines do not call for testing unless an employee has symptoms. UPDATE 08/05/20: Employees will be tested prior to classes resuming on campus. Additional testing information is forthcoming.
Q. Will there be daily health checks/ temperature screenings for employees?
A. At this time, employees must conduct symptom monitoring every day before reporting to work.
Q. Can the university prohibit an employee from coming to work on site if the employee is known to have contracted COVID-19 or to have had close contact with someone who has?
A. Yes. The university is obligated to provide a safe workplace and may take necessary and reasonable steps to minimize health risks for its employees, including requiring that employees not come to work on site if they have been diagnosed with, or have been exposed to, COVID-19.
Q. What if an employee must stay at home due to illness or self-isolation?
A. Telecommuting should be considered and used where feasible. If telecommuting is not feasible for the impacted employee, the employee will use sick leave and/or vacation time, when available.
Additionally, employees who meet the requirements may be eligible for Emergency Paid Sick Leave. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act) requires certain employers to provide their employees with paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. These provisions will apply from April 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020. A Fact Sheet regarding Employee Rights for FFCRA can be found at: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/ posters/FFCRA_Poster_WH1422_Non-Federal. pdf
An employee that wishes to utilize Federal Emergency Sick Leave or Expanded FMLA Leave should submit their request through the following form: FFCRA Leave Request
Submission of the form does not preclude the requirement for you to contact your supervisor in advance of your absence. The application will be distributed to your supervisor, Payroll, and Human Resources.
Resources
If you have questions or comments about returning to work on site, please e-mail your supervisor.
For details about the university’s overall response to the COVID-19 pandemic, visit https://westliberty.edu/coronavirus.
For information about the State of West Virginia’s response, visit the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources website at https://dhhr.wv.gov/COVID-19/ or call their information hotline at 1-800-887-4304.
For federal guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/.
If you are experiencing fear or stress created by COVID-19, contact Optum’s Emotional Support Help Line at 866-342-6892. The service is free of charge and open to all PEIA members.
For directions for making, wearing and cleaning cloth face coverings, see the CDC’s “Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19″