Guidance for Employees

Practice good personal health habits – Practice everyday preventive actions now. Remind everyone at work of the importance of practicing everyday preventive actions that can help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses:
- Stay home if you are sick.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. (CDC’s guide to washing your hands)
- Avoid close contact with people, practice social distancing (6ft).
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Cover your mouth when you cough, or sneeze into a tissue and throw the tissue in the trash (or an elbow or shoulder if no tissue is available).
- Get creative and think about offering phone or video chat meetings instead of in-person.
- Avoid shaking hands, utilize other greeting methods.
Inform your workplace if you need to change your regular work schedule
- Notify your workplace as soon as possible if your schedule changes. Ask to work from home or take leave if you or someone in your household gets sick with COVID-19 symptoms, or if your child’s school is dismissed temporarily.

Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects daily (e.g. television remotes, mobile phones, earphones, desk surfaces and your computer mouse, door handles and knobs. etc.) using a regular household detergent and water.

Review your sick leave policy and know what leave you have available.
Discuss with your supervisor what to do if you or a family member becomes sick.
Know about emergency operations plans for workplaces/schools of household members.
- Establish ways to communicate with supervisors, co-workers, etc.
Be prepared to work from home (e.g. what work can be done at home, do I have a computer/laptop, can I access files, etc).
- Working Remotely Resources
Have supplies on hand. Prepare by making sure you have things you will need, such as:
- Extra prescription medications
- Over-the counter medications and other medical supplies
- Groceries and other household items
If you have children in school, discuss with your supervisor what to do if your child’s school is dismissed.
If needing to travel, check the CDC’s Traveler’s Health Notices for latest guidance and recommendations.

Notify your supervisor and stay home if you are sick.
If you are well but have a sick family member at home with COVID-19, you should notify your supervisor and refer to CDC guidance for how to conduct a risk assessment of you potential exposure.
If another employee in the workplace is confirmed to have COVID-19, your employer will inform you. If you are an employees who was exposed to a co-worker with confirmed COVID-19, you should refer to CDC guidance for how to conduct a risk assessment of your potential exposure.