Employee/HR COVID-19 FAQ

Can my FWS students and student help work in campus? Will they continue to be paid during this remote learning period?

No, under the remote instruction model, the campus is not open to students to work. If you have student workers, you are encouraged to be creative with assignments and projects that you can give to your student workers that can be accomplished remotely.

If the campus experiences a mandatory shut down due to COVID-19, students with FWS dollars will still be able to get paid.

What are my students' technology needs?

What resources are available to faculty and staff?

Human Resources has a number of resources on its website to answer questions about employee leaves:

Santa Monica College's faculty and staff can contact the following resources for questions and support:

SMC Human Resources

310- 434-4415

humanresources@smc.edu

EASE - Employee Assistance Program

(800) 882-1341

Can I work if I have returned from overseas travel?

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.

I'm feeling sick. What should I do?

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.

If the College is closed due to the COVID-19, will I receive my pay?

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.

What happens if my child's school is closed due to COVID-19 and I need to stay home?

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?").

If I am placed on quarantine by a health professional or choose self-isolation due to possible exposure to COVID-19, will I be paid during the 14-day quarantine?

In the event you are unable to report for work, faculty and staff will need to use their accumulated sick leave and/or vacation, if you have the time available for your absence. If you are placed on quarantine or choose self-isolation, Faculty and Staff should immediately contact their supervisor and the Office of Human Resources.

If I choose to self-quarantine and am currently teaching SMC on-ground classes, may I teach my classes online instead?

Can I bring my children to work?

May I use sick leave/personal necessity/extended sick time to care for an ill family member?

May I use sick leave/personal necessity/extended sick leave to care for their child if their child-care center or school has been closed?

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.

Can I work from home?

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.

I'm anxious about the potential to be exposed to COVID-19. What should I do?

Does the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or California Family Rights Act (CFRA) entitle an employee to take leave to avoid contracting coronavirus?

No. The FMLA and CFRA entitle employees to job-protected leave when they have a serious health condition or when they need leave to care for covered family members who have a serious health condition. Leave for the purpose of avoiding exposure to the coronavirus is not protected under FMLA or CFRA.

Can I participate in meetings through zoom or tele-conferencing, for example, to minimize face to face contact?

If there is an emergency on campus, can I refuse to come into work?

Under California law, all public employees are emergency service workers and may be required to work to respond to an emergency, which may include a COVID-19 outbreak. Public health officials will provide direction and guidance should an outbreak occur at the College. The safety of our employees is a priority. However, declaration of an emergency does not mean that it is unsafe for employees to work. For example, it might be unsafe to work in one location but not others.

Employee/HR FAQ