FAQ’s Related to COVID-19
revised 1/7/2022
Unvaccinated SMC Staff and Faculty must test for COVID-19 at least once per week.
Employees that work exclusively at a remote worksite may be exempt if they have no regular contact with community members and do not anticipate a need to be on-campus.
Every week by 12:00 (noon) on Friday. The sample must be collected between the preceding Friday and the deadline. I.e. For results due 1/7/22 @ 12:00, the sample must have been collected between 12/31 and 1/7.
Submit a “pending” result with evidence that a test was ordered during the subject week. We are flexible and willing to work with employees that show a good faith effort to get tested as required. Please contact benefits@stmarys-ca.edu if you experience issues.
The goal of this protocol is not punitive. That said, failure to comply is serious and endangers the safety of the entire campus community. Penalties for non-compliance can include unpaid leave and/or termination of employment.
Individuals are considered up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccination (and therefore not required to submit weekly test results) if they meet the CDC standard. Currently this is 2 weeks after the final dose in the initial series. For more information: CDC - Stay Up to Date
No. SMC-HR highly recommends that employees obtain a booster as soon as they're eligible. A booster requirement may be considered by College officals at a future date.
The COVID Coordinating Council (CCC) is closely monitoring this health situation, preparing for potential scenarios and rapidly responding as new information is made available. Please refer to their webpages for general updates, and additional information about the College's COVID-19 response.
Regular, pragmatic advice still applies. If you are sick, you should not go to class or work until you have been evaluated by a medical professional. The CDC recommends individuals who have been in close contact (<6ft, >15min/24hrs) with a person known to have COVID-19 take the following actions:
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If you feel sick with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, seek medical care right away, but call the doctor's office or emergency room before going, and tell them of your symptoms.
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Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (and not your hands) when you cough or sneeze.
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Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
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Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
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If someone reports to you that they are feeling sick with a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, encourage them to seek medical care using the steps listed above.
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In consultation with the COVID-19 Planning Group and Human Resources, the College has developed interim policies for supervisors supervising current student employees or those who will be supervising student employees during the pandemic.
We recognize that student employees are critical to the operation of the College, and that students benefit from on-campus work. Students who live both on campus and off campus will be permitted to be employed by the College during the public health emergency, under the following guidelines (in addition to guidelines applicable to non-employee students):
- Supervisors should support remote work whenever possible.
- Remote work is only available for students residing in California due to the complexities of multi-state labor law. We are not equipped to ensure compliance in other jurisdictions for student workers.
- Students Residing Off Campus - Students who live off-campus are permitted to come to campus under the same guidelines applicable to non-employee students. If campus access is restricted (similar to early 2020), student workers may be allowed on-campus for work shifts. Please contact hr@stmarys-ca.edu if you need to schedule student workers during such restrictions.
- Students Residing On Campus - Students who live on-campus are approved to perform both in-person and remote work. However, remote work is still strongly recommended.
- Supervisors are responsible for the safety and wellbeing of their student employees at all times. If you need assistance maintaining a safe work environment, please contact hr@stmarys-ca.edu.
- Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that student employees:
- Have a workspace that allows them to maintain physical distancing , and that they are adhering to physical distancing guidelines at all times while on campus. If students have a role that requires them to move about campus, the supervisor and employee should maintain a log of when/where the student travels in case contact tracing becomes necessary.
- Have a plan for when/where they take their breaks. Student employees should avoid using break rooms, and congregating with others. They may wish to consider using outdoor spaces near their workspace.
- Wear a facial covering.
- Engage in Health Habits such as proper hand washing while working.
GaelXpress is accessible remotely. Employees should record their actual hours worked on their time card. For hours that cannot be worked remotely, either all of or a portion of a regularly scheduled shift may be coded with the appropriate paid leave type (if available). If you do not have sick or vacation time accrued, contact benefits@stmarys-ca.edu and we will work with you to the best of our abilities.
Currently, health benefits are available to those employees who work more than 1,560 hours annually (30 hours per week). If your hours are reduced to less than 30 hours per week due to furlough or other emergency reduction in force during the COVID-19 event, your benefit eligibility will not be impacted during the current shelter-in-place period.
If an employee becomes ill or quarantined or has to care for a family member, they should first notify their supervisor/manager. Next, please contact the Benefits Department in Human Resources at benefits@stmarys-ca.edu. Then, please do not delay in completing your online California State Disability or Paid Family Leave claim.
We encourage you to review the FAQs provided by the Employment Development Department (EDD) for guidance on what programs are available and what situations may be applicable to your circumstances.
See our Telecommuting policy. Employees should anticipate working at their usual job site as long as conditions allow.
California's meal and rest period requirements for non-exempt employees apply to remote workers. All non-exempt positions are still required to take appropriate meal and rest periods while working remotely.
Here are additional resources for your review:
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Review the ergonomics of your remote workstation - contact SMC EH&S
As information about Coronavirus unfolds, there can be a wide range of thoughts, feelings and reactions. Below is the contact information for the College’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Claremont's representatives are able to assist you directly or offer referrals to service providers in their network for a variety of lifes challenges. You can call EAP as often as you'd like, and the EAP benefit includes 8 sessions/yr with the provider you're referred to. The author of this text block has used it and highly recommends.
SMC's Employee Assistance Program
Available by calling the 24/7 line (800) 834-3773
Website: https://www.claremonteap.com/
Company Name to Register: Saint Mary's CollegeIn addition to the EAP benefit described above, employees that are enrolled in College medical plans have resources available through their healthcare provider.