Reopening Guidelines for Employees

RETURN TO ON-CAMPUS WORK GUIDELINES

These protocols and requirements are consistent with State of Ohio Orders for responsible reopening and guidelines from the CDC. These protocols and requirements are subject to change based on Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s orders, the CDC and the university’s business needs. This guidance is provided for the health and safety for the university community, should be viewed as temporary in nature and is subject to change based on appropriate medical advice and the needs of the university.

Review the Guidelines

Faculty
Staff
Student Employees

Download or Print Guidelines for Employees (DOC)

PRIOR TO RETURNING

All employees are required to follow the safety measures outlined in the guidelines below and must provide their acknowledgement that they have read, understand, and agree to follow these guidelines. Provide your acknowledgment prior to returning to campus using the form linked here. The form can also be found at the bottom of this page.

Prior to Return (Employees)

While at Work (Employees)

PRIOR TO RETURN

Your supervisor or manager will communicate the return-to-work plan for your unit.

Requirements

Be aware of and comply with the Flashes Safe Seven principles. You are required to wear a cloth face covering while on campuses. The university will provide each employee with two cloth face coverings, as well as cleaning supplies for each unit. The person responsible for ordering for your department or campus will coordinate ordering these materials. Additionally, you are responsible for properly wearing the face covering as well as maintaining for it’s care and cleanliness. For further information concerning the care and proper wearing of the face covering, visit the CDC’s website.

Wearing face coverings are a critical component to the Flashes Safe Seven principles. All who can safely wear face coverings are required to do so. Those who have issues such as severe asthma or breathing issues, hearing aids, autism, post-traumatic stress disorder or claustrophobia may not be able to wear face coverings. If you are concerned about wearing a face covering, please submit the accommodation request form for Fall 2020. In addition, face coverings should never be worn by or placed on people who are younger than 2, have difficulty breathing, or are unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove them without assistance.
In addition to the Flashes Safe Seven principles, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers additional online resources that address how to protect yourself and others.

If you need assistance reconnecting IT equipment used to work remotely, including cables and accessories, or assistance continuing to work remotely, please contact your local IT support person. Here is a list of all support staff by department.

Self-monitor Health

Before leaving home to come to work, self‐screen daily for any of the symptoms of COVID-19. Those who are experiencing symptoms or those who have been in close contact as defined by the CDC with a person who is considered to have probable or confirmed COVID-19, should not report to work. Notify your supervisor of the needed absence and seek medical evaluation by calling your Primary Care Physician, DeWeese Health Center at 330-672-2322 or your local urgent care center. Always call ahead before seeking in-person medical help. Employees who are diagnosed with probable or confirmed COVID-19 will be contacted by their local health department and will be given additional guidance and instructions.

Expectations

If you have been advised to self-isolate, you will be allowed to stay home and isolate per medical professional advice. During the isolation period, you may be requested to work from home if you are able. The employee may perform remote work dependent upon the nature of the work and manager guidance.

Download Printable Guidelines for Employees (DOC)

Self-monitor health

Employees must self-monitor their health daily before coming to campus. Do not come to campus if you have symptoms. If you are on campus and begin showing symptoms, contact your supervisor, leave work immediately and seek medical evaluation by calling your Primary Care Physician, DeWeese Health Center Telemedicine line at 330-672-2322 or your local urgent care center. Always call ahead before seeking in-person medical help. Employees who are diagnosed with probable or confirmed COVID-19 will be contacted by their local health department and will be given additional guidance and instructions.

Return to Work Requirements

In the case of an employee who was diagnosed with COVID-19, the individual may return to work when they have presented a signed return to work letter from their doctor to the University Benefits office in Heer Hall (benefits@kent.edu). The employee should be in contact with the University Benefits Office so as to receive further instructions about the leave process. The employee may perform remote work dependent upon the nature of work and manager guidance.

In the case of an employee who has symptoms that could be COVID-19 and does not get evaluated by a medical professional or tested for COVID-19, the individual is assumed to have COVID-19, and the individual may return to work when they have presented a signed return to work letter from their doctor to the University Benefits office in Heer Hall at 330-672-3107 or benefits@kent.edu. The employee should be in contact with the University Benefits Office so as to receive further instructions about the leave process.

Workspace Expectations

Following the Flashes Safe Seven principles, all employees will be required to clean and sanitize their workspaces and common spaces throughout the day, between shifts and at the close of each day. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones and keyboards, etc. Units will have cleaning supplies available for employee use. Employees should take personal items home to facilitate regular cleaning of their workspace. If additional cleaning is needed, please notify your supervisor. Note: University Facilities Management (UFM) custodial staff have been methodically cleaning buildings, classrooms and offices, including carpeting. All offices have been cleaned and are ready for use. Horizontal surfaces that contain work or personal items that require moving before cleaning, should be cleaned by the employee before use.

Maintain at least 6 feet of separation from other individuals whenever possible. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required for your protection and the protection of others. You are required to wear a cloth face covering while on campuses. The university will provide each employee with two cloth face coverings, as well as cleaning supplies for each unit. The person responsible for ordering for your department or campus will coordinate the ordering of these materials. As described in this document, PPE refers to washable face coverings (i.e. masks), hand sanitizer spray mist, disposable nitrile gloves and sanitizing cleaning products for workspaces. More information about how to wear and wash face coverings can be found at the CDC’s Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19.

Wearing face coverings are a critical component to the Flashes Safe Seven principles. All who can safely wear face coverings are required to do so. Those who have issues such as severe asthma or breathing issues, hearing aids, autism, post-traumatic stress disorder or claustrophobia may not be able to wear face coverings. If you are concerned about wearing a face covering, please submit the accommodation request form for Fall 2020. In addition, face coverings should never be worn by or placed on people who are younger than 2, have difficulty breathing, or are unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove them without assistance.

Do not provide or share food or drink in the workspace or at events or meetings. Aramark is available for approved university-funded functions.

Replace in-person meetings with video- or tele-conference calls when possible. If you have questions regarding remote conferencing, see https://www.kent.edu/keeponworking.

Wash or disinfect hands while at work and after any interaction with other employees, constituents or items in the workplace.

Additional Information

For questions or more information contact your supervisor or go to https://www.kent.edu/coronavirus

Download Printable Guidelines for Employees (DOC)

Employee Signature REQUIRED

I acknowledge that I have read, understand and agree to follow the guidelines as detailed in this document.

Submission options:

Sign using the digital form below.
Alternatively, print and sign using the PDF available at the top of this page.

These will be kept on file within the department.

A-Z Index

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