Infectious Disease Control Policy

Geneva will take proactive steps to protect the workplace in the event of an infectious disease outbreak. It is the goal of the school during any such time to strive to operate effectively and ensure that all essential services are continuously provided and that employees are safe within the workplace.

The school is committed to providing authoritative information about the nature and spread of infectious diseases, including symptoms and signs to watch for, as well as required steps to be taken in the event of an illness or outbreak.

Questions related to this policy should be referred to Human Resources.

Preventing the Spread of Infection in the Workplace

Geneva will ensure a clean workplace, including the regular cleaning of objects and areas that are frequently used, such as bathrooms, breakrooms, conference rooms, door handles and railings. A task force will be designated to monitor and coordinate events around an infectious disease outbreak, as well as to create work rules that could be implemented to promote safety through infection control.

We ask all employees to cooperate in taking steps to reduce the transmission of infectious disease in the workplace. The best strategy remains the most obvious—frequent hand washing with warm, soapy water; covering your mouth whenever you sneeze or cough; and discarding used tissues in wastebaskets. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are installed throughout the school and in common areas.

Unless otherwise notified, normal attendance and leave policies will remain in place. Individuals who believe they may face particular challenges reporting to work during an infectious disease outbreak should take steps to develop any necessary contingency plans. For example, employees might want to arrange for alternative sources of childcare should schools close and/or speak with supervisors about the potential to work from home temporarily or an alternative work schedule.

Travel Considerations

Due to instability of national and global health conditions, all employees should review the conditions of areas where a trip is planned. Employees traveling should respect and follow the local health guidelines. As always, reimbursed employee professional development trips and trips with students must be approved in advance by the supervisor.

Telecommuting

Telework requests will be handled on a case-by-case basis based on the needs and limitations of job duties. All requests for temporary telecommuting must be submitted to an employee’s supervisor for consideration and determination by Human Resources and the HOS. Due to the nature of the relational, in-person, classical education Geneva provides, telecommuting generally will not be possible for teaching and coaching positions.

Staying Home When Ill

Many times, with the best of intentions, employees report to work even though they feel ill. We provide paid time off and other benefits to compensate employees who are unable to work due to illness.

During an infectious disease outbreak, it is critical that employees do not report to work while they are ill and/or experiencing symptoms which are unusual for them dependent on the disease at issue. Symptoms are subject to change pursuant to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state and federal guidelines. During an infectious disease outbreak, the School Nurse and Human Resources will issue guidance regarding symptoms and conduct to be taken by employees.

Employees who report to work ill will be sent home in accordance with these health guidelines.

Requests for Medical Information and/or Documentation

If an employee is out sick or shows symptoms of being ill, it may become necessary to request medical information from the employee and/or the employee’s medical provider. In general, the school may request medical information to confirm the employee’s need to be absent, to show whether and how an absence relates to the infection, and to know that it is appropriate for the employee to return to work. The school will not request health-related information from a medical provider without the employee’s knowledge and approval. As always, the School expects and appreciates the employee’s cooperation if medical information is sought.

Confidentiality of Medical Information

The school’s policy is to treat any medical information as a confidential medical record. In furtherance of this policy, any disclosure of medical information is in limited circumstances with supervisors, managers, School Nurse, Human Resources and government officials, as required by law.

Social Distancing Guidelines for Workplace Infectious Disease Outbreaks

In the event of an infectious disease outbreak, Geneva may implement these social distancing guidelines to minimize the spread of the disease among the staff.

During the workday, employees are requested to:

• use the telephone, online conferencing or Email to conduct business as much as possible, even when participants are in the same building unless following disease mitigation protocols which may be in place for acute outbreaks.
• Minimize face-to-face meeting times, choose a large meeting room or other well-ventilated space and sit at least six feet from each other, if possible; avoid person-to-person contact such as shaking hands.
• Avoid any unnecessary travel and cancel or postpone nonessential meetings, gatherings, workshops and training sessions.
• Refrain from congregating in work rooms, break rooms, copier rooms or other areas where people socialize.
• Bring lunch and eat at your desk or away from others (avoid lunchrooms and crowded restaurants).

Outside activities

Employees are encouraged to the extent possible to:

• Avoid public transportation (walk, cycle, drive a car) or go early or late to avoid rush-hour crowding on public transportation.
• Avoid recreational or other leisure classes, meetings, activities, etc., where employees might come into contact with contagious people.