Employee/ HR FAQ

SMC Human Resources

310- 434-4415

humanresources@smc.edu

EASE - Employee Assistance Program

(800) 882-1341

All employees returning from foreign travel must stay away from work for a least 14 days.

All countries are affected by the COVID-19 global pandemic.  Employees should review CDC traveling warnings before leaving the United States (https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices).  

Employees returning from Warning Level 3 countries (China, Iran, South Korea, Italy) must stay home for 14 days after returning from travel, monitor their health, and practice social distancing. Employees returning from other countries (Alert Level 2, Global COVID-19 Outbreak) must limit interactions with others for 14 days after returning from travel and should not come to work.

Unless the employee has been authorized to work remotely, available leave should be used while the employee is unable to work.

To protect the Santa Monica College community, do not report to work if you have a fever, cough, or shortness of breath.

If you develop these symptoms and you have been in close proximity with a person known to have COVID-19 or who has recently traveled from an area with widespread or ongoing community spread of COVID-19, call your doctor for further instructions before visiting their office. 

Tell your healthcare professional about your recent travel or contact. Your healthcare professional will work with the public health department and CDC to determine if you need to be tested for COVID-19.

In addition: 211 LA is the central source for information and referrals for all health and human services in LA County. The 2-1-1 phone line (dial 2-1-1) is available 24/7. 

If you cannot directly dial 2-1-1 or are calling from outside Los Angeles County, call (800) 339-6993.

Employees miss work for a variety of injuries and illnesses. During this period of heightened concern, we request that those unable to report to work because of fever, cough, or shortness of breath, notify Human Resources of their symptoms by contacting:

Lugina Rogers
Rogers_Lugina@smc.edu
310-434-4060

In the event of COVID-19 cases at the College, public health officials may want to reach out to employees with these symptoms.

The College is developing continuity plans in the event our physical facilities need to close at the direction of the Los Angeles Department of Public Health. These plans will include options for students to continue their education and receive services online, and staff to work remotely whenever possible.

In the event someone is unable to work because of a short-term closure, the College will continue pay for all employees for their scheduled work days. The College will communicate additional information if this should occur.

In the event of extended cessation of work, the College is negotiating extended leave benefits with our employee organizations.

Faculty and Staff are eligible to use their paid leave benefits (personal necessity and/or vacation) if they need to be absent.

• Staff must contact their supervisor and follow the established absence procedures in their department. 
• Faculty must contact their Department Chair or Department Dean if they will need to miss days from work. For more information regarding leave options, contact Office of Human Resources (also see: "What resources are available to faculty and staff?").

Yes. Faculty and staff are eligible to use their paid leave benefits (personal necessity and/or vacation) if they need to be absent.

• Staff must contact their supervisor and follow the established absence procedures in their department.
• Faculty must contact their Department Chair or Dean if they need to miss days from work.  For more information regarding leave options, contact the Office of Human Resources.

Telework, or working from home, requires review and approval by the immediate supervisor and area Vice-President in consultation with Human Resources.  Certain types of positions may not be appropriate for remote work.  Any arrangement must be transparent and equitable.  In deciding whether to approve telework, the following questions should be considered:

• Can the employee perform all of their core job responsibilities by working remotely?

• Does the employee have technology at the remote location to perform all of their core job responsibilities?

• Will approving the request create added burdens on other employees?

• Will the employee's supervisor be able to fulfill their supervision responsibilities?

• Will approving the request interfere with the provision of services to students?

The College is currently identify work that can be moved to remote platforms.