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COVID-19 Employee FAQ

Home > COVID-19 Messages & Resources > COVID-19 Employee FAQ

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Employee Questions: Updated 4/24/2020 

Q.  Are there travel guidelines and/or restrictions from the MESD for employees who were scheduled to attend out-of-state conferences after 4/28/20?
While MESD does not have "travel restrictions" employees should check with their supervisor regarding out of state travel and PD. Also verify those conferences have not been cancelled.
4/24/2020

Q.  I'm a licensed substitute teacher, not a full-time MESD employee, I was scheduled to work the week of March 16. Does the emergency compensation apply to substitute teachers? I'm guessing not.
It does in this special circumstance.
4/24/2020

Q.  How do I fill out my time card?
During the week of March 16th through March 20th, you may mark any days you were regularly scheduled to work as Emergency Closure days.
3/13/2020

Q.  How do I know which work to complete remotely?
Please coordinate all work load and logistic details with your supervisor.
3/13/2020

Q.  Where can I find the Emergency Closure Guidelines? Which component district does my site follow for closure guidelines?
The Emergency Closure Guidelines can be found under the Parents tab or on the Staff page of the MESD website; this includes a breakdown of which district your site will follow for closures. The Emergency Closure Guidelines are also routinely e-mailed to all MESD staff.
3/13/2020

Q.  Is my building closed?
MESD Operated School Buildings Closed
Starting Monday, March 16, and until we reopen schools on April 1, MESD operated school buildings will be closed to education staff and school administrators until March 30th. Custodial staff will continue to clean schools during the extended break, prioritizing high-touch surfaces in classrooms and common areas. 

Youth Corrections Education Program and Juvenile Detention Education Program Operating
Per ODE guidelines, YCEP and JDEP education programs are to remain open and operate under the normal YCEP and JDEP calendars. Employees working in these programs will work their normal schedules.   
 
Ainsworth Building Closure
Starting Monday, March 16, and until we reopen on March 30th, the Ainsworth building will be closed but all Ainsworth employees scheduled to work will continue to work remotely. Please coordinate all work load and logistic details with your supervisor.
3/13/2020

Q.  My school has been shut down. How will I be compensated?
The week of March 16th through March 20th will be treated as Emergency Closure and if you were scheduled to work during this time, you will be paid for your normally scheduled hours under the Emergency Closure guidelines.
3/13/2020

​Q.  Will schools continue to participate in gatherings or events?
In order to minimize potential opportunities for the COVID-19 coronavirus to spread, MESD has decided to proactively begin suspending events that bring large groups of students, adults and community members together. Suspending these events is consistent with guidance from health authorities.
3/12/2020

​Q.  Will my upcoming meeting or conference be cancelled?
Suspension of non-essential school-based activities begins immediately, effective Thursday, March 12, and will remain in effect for 30 days. ​Suspending these events is consistent with guidance from health authorities.
3/12/2020

​Q.  What is MESD doing about events that have mandated public access?
In cases when we are mandated to offer access to community members (e.g., Board of Education meetings), we hope to offer continued online streaming and are currently exploring other alternatives, including virtual meeting platforms, in order to continue the district's governance and business.
3/12/2020

​Q.  I've been sick since Friday and have all the symptoms of the flu, but no fever. Obviously there's a lot of concern surrounding the coronavirus and some people may worry about individuals if they have any symptoms of a sickness, cold, flu or otherwise and they could take offense of someone going into work with symptoms. My question is: Is MESD suggesting if people are sick, they stay home for 14 days??

3/12/2020
​No. If you are sick with flu-like symptoms, stay home and continue to stay home for 72 hours after you are symptom-free. If you are well, report for work. If you’re concerned that you may have COVID-19 call your healthcare provider.

Q.  Under what circumstances would MESD send me home or not allow me to report to work?
​If your healthcare provider or the local public health authority restricts you from work, MESD will follow those restrictions.

MESD will follow the tri-county health exclusion guidelines with regard to excluding employees. Generally, employees who meet the following criteria may be excluded from work:
  • Fever OR signs / symptoms of lower respiratory illness* and without alternative explanatory diagnosis (e.g., influenza)
  • Close contact with a laboratory-confirmed case of COVID-19 within 14 days of symptom onset 

​If you've had the listed symptoms, stay home for 72-hours after you're symptom-free.

​*Lower respiratory illness includes cough or shortness of breath
3/12/2020

​Q.  How long will I be excluded from work if I am diagnosed with COVID-19?
The public health authority will guide exclusion decisions for individuals diagnosed with COVID-19. Right now, those experiencing symptoms should stay home and return to work when symptom-free for 72 hours.
3/12/2020

Q.  Where can I find the collective bargaining agreement for the AFSCME union?

3/5/2020
​Collective Bargaining Agreements for AFSCME and others can be found on the Labor Relations page of the MESD website:
https://www.multnomahesd.org/hr-labor

​Q.  What will happen if I don’t have enough sick leave and I am diagnosed with COVID-19?
​Contact HR. HR will provide specific guidance to each individual employee’s unique circumstances. For represented employees, you can also consult with your union and refer to your collective bargaining agreement.
3/4/2020

​Q.  If I contract COVID-19 while I am at work, will I qualify for worker’s comp?
​Worker’s Compensation determinations are made by SAIF, our worker’s compensation insurance provider.
3/4/2020

​Q.  Will I lose my job if I am diagnosed with coronavirus COVID-19?
​A diagnosis of COVID-19 is not grounds for termination.
3/4/2020

​Q.  What is the hospital’s plan for COVID-19?  What do we do when students show up with this? Does the hospital have a policy for us?
​Each location has provided or will provide specific guidance and guidelines. Work with your work site location(s) and Principal to understand and follow those guidelines. 
3/4/2020

​Q.  What happens if we end up quarantined because we’ve been exposed to COVID-19 in the hospital environment? Does this fall under leave, or protected leave, or Worker’s Comp.? 
​Contact HR. HR will provide specific guidance to each individual employee’s unique circumstances.  For represented employees, you can also consult with your union and refer to your collective bargaining agreement.
3/4/2020

​Q.  What does OEBB provide related to COVID-19?
​OEBB has a webpage with answers to frequently asked questions that we encourage employees to visit. 
3/4/2020

Q.  What actions is Multnomah ESD taking in response to COVID-19?
​An internal team working with Multnomah County Health and the component school districts.   Public health officials currently advise that schools do not need to take any special precautions beyond those normally recommended to prevent the spread of viruses.
3/4/2020

​Q.  What can I do to reduce the risk of getting COVID-19?
You can help yourself, your colleagues, and your students reduce their risk for getting and spreading viral respiratory infections, including the flu and the common cold, by encouraging them to take simple steps which will also prevent COVID-19:
  • Wash your hands often with warm water and soap.
  • Cover your mouth with a tissue, sleeve, or elbow (not hands) when you cough or sneeze, and then wash your hands.
  • Stay home if you’re sick. Employees who are well but who have a sick family member at home with COVID-19 should notify their supervisor.
  • Keep your immune system strong by eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep and regular exercise, and by taking care of underlying health conditions.
  • Clean your personal work station, keyboard, phones and other high-touch areas.

There are also basic steps every household should take to prepare for any unexpected event: 
  • Review the MESD sick leave and telecommuting policies.
  • Establish a childcare plan in the event your kids need to stay home from school.
  • Make sure you have the kinds of foods, drinks, medications and pet supplies you would want if you needed to stay home and limit your contact with other people for a couple weeks.
  • Get to know your neighbors, especially those who might need extra help like seniors or people living alone.
  • In the face of rumors check multco.us/covid19 for reliable information.
3/4/2020
More information and ongoing updates from public health officials are available online, including:


If you have school-related communicable disease questions contact
Heather Godsey
Nurse Consultant, School Health Services
Multnomah Education Service District
(503) 257-1709. 

If you have general COVID-19 questions contact 211.  
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• All Resources •
Includes resources below plus reopening plans, other agency resource links, handwashing posters, and more.

MESD Resources

Child Care Resources for Families
Signs & Graphics (posters for inside schools and offices)
Distance Learning Resources During School Closure
MESD Communicable Disease Management Plan
(latest version can be found at the top of the Communicable Disease page)
MESD Daily Illness Self-Screening Checklist (PDF)

Messages & FAQs

Message to Community (1/22/2021)
Oregon Work Share Program Employee FAQ (5/13/2020)
COVID-19 Employee FAQ (3/12/2020)
Vaccine Plan FAQs for MESD Employees (1/22/2021)