COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some answers to commonly asked questions regarding COVID-19. This information is for hospital employees only.
What options do I have if I am concerned about reporting to work due to the coronavirus?
If you have a medical condition impacting your ability to report to work, contact your leader/director to follow approved leave procedures including the request of sick leave or other leave available. If extended leave for Family and Medical Leave, or FMLA, is needed, please contact Human Resources.
Can I work from home during this time?
Administration is currently reviewing telecommute and work from home options. Unfortunately, our IT resources are limited, so we must strike a balance as to which positions are most suited for this option and can be transitioned efficiently. IT will be working with your director/leader directly. If you are requested to work from home, IT will reach out to you; please do not call them or place a ticket.
I don't have a medical condition, but I am concerned about workplace exposure to coronavirus. How do I know what to do?
The Hospital is closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and will provide updates via emails from Marketing and our intranet.
Will I receive points under the attendance policy if I miss work because of COVID-19?
We have always operated under the auspice of doing the right thing. If an employee is unable to come to work due to COVID-19 related circumstances, we will review those circumstances and/or documentation and consider excusing the absence.
What are my options if I can’t make it to work due to the school closures?
We understand the school closures have posed a hardship for many of our employees. It is our hope that you make every attempt to find child care so that we can continue to provide the care that so many desperately need at this time. If you are unable to do so, please reach out to your leader to see if they can adjust your schedule or find someone who may be willing to change shifts temporarily to accommodate your need. We want to work with those who are in this situation, but need understanding and cooperation from you as well.
If I contract the COVID -19 virus and feel as though it was a result of exposure at work, what should I do?
Employees who are diagnosed with the COVID-19 virus and feel it is a result of exposure while working, should complete an incident report and First Report of Injury form.
What if I do not have any paid leave time and I contract the COVID-19 virus?
Employees who have exhausted their vacation/sick banks and need time away from work due to the impact of the COVID-19 virus, may be permitted to use vacation/sick leave even if they currently do not have the time accrued. The accrual for employees will go into a “negative” status. As the employee accrues time, we will apply that time against the hours already taken. The maximum negative accrual that an employee may take is listed below:
- Sick – Employees have contracted COVID-19 and need to stay home, or have been mandated to stay home as a result of exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms. The maximum negative accrual an employee may receive is 96 hours.
- Vacation – Employees’ family members have contracted the virus and/or lack of childcare as a result of school closures. The maximum negative accrual an employee may receive is 80 hours.
(Employees must discuss alternate schedules with their supervisor if requesting leave due to school closure.)
Please follow the FMLA procedures. If you have questions, please contact Human Resources.
If I go on vacation out of state, will I need to be screened or quarantined?
If you travel outside of Ohio, please contact your leader/director prior to returning to work so that he/she can ensure that we are following appropriate protocols. Employees returning from vacation will be required to receive approval for return to work from Occupational Health. You will be permitted to use sick, vacation, holiday or apply for unemployment benefits if it is determined that you need to stay out longer than you anticipated due to personal travel. However, personal travelafter 3/23/20 that results in a mandated quarantine, will require the use of vacation for the absence.
What happens with my attendance and pay if I am quarantined?
If you are exposed to the virus and mandated to stay home, you will be permitted to use sick, vacation, holiday or apply for unemployment benefits.
What if I have a condition that places me at high risk? Am I safe to work?
Is it safe for me to work if I’m pregnant?
Employees should contact their physician to determine whether or not it is recommended for them to work.
If you physician indicates that you should not work during this time due to concerns of your risk with exposure, you will be permitted to use vacation and holiday for your absence.
If I am sick with flu like symptoms, what should I do?
Stay home! Please contact your leader/director and follow the call-off procedure for your department. When you are ready to return, you must contact Occupational Health in order to be released to work.
I have expressed interest in a voluntary layoff and my leader/director has indicated that I am eligible. How do I file for unemployment?
Once your leader/director has provided permission to take a voluntary layoff, you can file online at http://unemployment.ohio.govor call toll free 1-877-644-6562 or TTY 1-614-387-8408.
Please keep in mind that Ohio does not deduct state taxes from your unemployment payment so you will be responsible at the end of the year for those taxes. Ohio does deduct the federal taxes with each payment.
Isn’t there a waiting week for unemployment?
The state of Ohio has waived the one week waiting period. Once you apply for benefits, you should receive your first check as soon as administratively possible.
Am I required to use my vacation and holiday before I can take a voluntary layoff?
No. You are not required to use your vacation if you elect a permissible voluntary lay off, however, if you would like to use vacation and/or holiday, you may prior to the layoff. Vacation and holiday still need to be approved by your leader/director.
How long will I be laid off?
At this point, it is difficult to give a time frame.
If I am recalled, how soon am I expected to be back to work?
Employees who are requested to return must be back within 24 hours of contact.
What happens to my health insurance while I am laid off?
Your insurance will remain effective until May 31st. If the crisis continues, MMO has indicated we may receive an extension to this date. You will need to continue to pay the same premium that is deducted from your payroll check biweekly. You can pay those premiums via check and mail them here to the attention of Paula Contreras.
What happens to my dental, vision and life insurance?
Your insurance coverage for dental, vision and group life will cease. Your life insurance is portable. You will receive information regarding your ability to do this from Cigna. If you have elected voluntary insurance, you will be able to continue coverage by submitting your payments directly to Cigna and/or Allstate. You will receive information on how to do this via mail. If you have questions, email Paula Contreras at pcontreras@bellevuehospital.com.
You will be able to maintain your medical, dental and vision coverage through June 30, 2020 as long as you continue to pay your regular biweekly premiums.
Plans offered through Cigna (Hospital paid term life, AD&D and LTD) will remain in place through May 31, 2020. Cigna will determine whether that date will be extended.
For the Cigna voluntary term life, Allstate voluntary products and LifeLock, you will be required to submit payment for the biweekly premiums. As long as premiums are submitted in a timely manner, coverage will remain in place.
Email Paula at pcontreras@bellevuehospital.comor call (419) 483-4040 extension 4387 if you have any questions.
Will I have rights to my job once this is over?
It is our intent to return employees to their positions once the hospital returns to normal business operations. We will not replace your position with another employee once you are willing to and/or we request that you return.
Why are we limiting access to the hospital?
This is to protect you, as well as our patients, staff, and our community. This will help to slow the spread of flu-like illnesses in our area.
How long will restrictions last?
We are evaluating the status of this challenge daily and will make changes as we determine appropriate. Hospital employees will be notified when restrictions are lifted.
I am really scared that I am going to get this. Do you think it has spread in our community yet?
The best thing to do is remain calm, take preventative and precautionary measures and use credible sources such as the CDC, local health departments and the Ohio Department of Health for updates.
What is Social Distancing and why should we do it?
Social Distancing is trying to stay away from other people, especially large crowds, during an infectious disease outbreak. It will help slow the spread of COVID-19. This is especially important for people who are at high risk of getting very sick including older adults and those with serious chronic conditions.
At the Hospital, try to utilize phone calls and emails instead of face-to-face visits to co-workers to conduct daily work. Be mindful of maintaining social distance and remain in your respective departments when at all possible.
May I have a face mask? I’m not sick, but I want to be protected from COVID-19.
The CDC is now recommending the use of cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. Here at TBH, we are encouraging the use of cloth face masks while at work for employees who are not ‘patient-facing’. We had received donations of cloth masks from several community members. This supply is nearly exhausted, so we are reaching out to the community for additional masks. As more become available, they will be offered to our employees.
In addition to wearing a face mask, you can help minimize the spread of respiratory illness in our community by applying these everyday preventive actions:
- Wash your hands often with soup and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
- Clean and disinfect high touch areas often including areas such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, phones, keyboards, tablets, etc.
Beginning on Wednesday, April 22, all employees will be required to wear some type of mask depending on your job function and work area. Masks will be available at the temperature stations. There is a limited supply, so please be mindful before taking another one. We want to ensure that everyone has at least one face mask. If you have a mask and it doesn’t fit, please place it in the “dirty” storage container so that we can wash and redistribute to someone else.
In addition, patients and visitors will be required to wear their own cloth face covering upon arrival to the facility. If not, they are to be offered a facemask or cloth face covering as supplies allow, which should be worn while they are in the facility (if tolerated). Please be sure to read the face mask protocols below for details.
What should I do if I get a call from the media or a representative from the media comes to one of the hospital entrances?
Reporters, film crews and photographers will always need to be accompanied by a member of the Marketing Department while on site. During business hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) call Ext. 4299 or Ext. 4899.
The Marketing Department may be contacted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by requesting contact through the hospital’s switchboard.
All media must contact the Marketing Department to arrange for all interviews.
What should I do if I see negative or false comments on Facebook regarding the Hospital or our patient care during this time?
Please be aware that Marketing Department staff is monitoring social media and answering comments on the TBH Facebook page on behalf of the hospital as needed.
Employees may not speak on behalf of the hospital, unless authorized to do so by the Marketing Department or Administration. If an employee identifies him or herself, either directly or indirectly, as a TBH employee, it is possible that some readers may view the employee as a spokesperson for TBH. Please see Policy #O7.67 Human Resources-Social Networking in PowerDMS for more details.
Social media is vast and it is challenging to see all posts and comments. If you see anything that needs to be addressed, please alert the Marketing Department by emailing any screenshots to joyoung@bellevuehospital.com and skruse@bellevuehospital.com. Please also identify where you saw the information. The Marketing Department will then investigate and act appropriately on behalf of The Bellevue Hospital.
