COVID-19 Information for Employees

Mask Requirements

Based upon the recent SUNY, New York State, and CDC guidance on masking in schools, the College maintains the following masking requirements.

Students and employees are not required to wear masks and face coverings in classrooms, common areas, and other College locations. Individuals who wish to wear a mask or face covering may do so at their own discretion. Unvaccinated individuals are strongly encouraged to wear a mask or face covering.

Surgical style masks are provided at campus points of entry to all individuals wanting one. A supply of KN95 masks are also available at the security stations located at the Main entrance and Washington Avenue entrance of Elston Hall, the Center for Science and Technology, the School of Music, and at Center City.

Cleaning Supplies

If you require disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer for your work station, please send a request to Anthony Schwartz, Director of Facilities at schwaraj@sunysccc.edu and include your building/room number. 

Testing

If you receive a COVID positive test result, in addition to emailing a picture of the test to Human Resources, you must also complete the New York State Department of Health self-attestation form. If you are subject to a qualifying event for NYS COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave, please contact your supervisor in addition to Human Resources for further direction.

Please remember, if you are not feeling well, do not come to campus.

Isolation Guidance

If You Were in Close Contact with a COVID Positive Individual

• Wear a well-fitting mask (KN95 or N95) for ten days after last exposure. A self-test is recommended on the fifth day after last exposure.
• This protocol is in place for all employees regardless of vaccination or booster status. 

If You Tested Positive for COVID:

• Moderately to severely immunocompromised
  • Isolate for ten days with the date of the test specimen collection or date of symptom onset counted as day 0.
• Not moderately to severely immunocompromised
  • Isolate for five days with the date of the test specimen collection or date of symptom onset counted as day 0.
    • With symptoms present and not resolving:
      • Remain in isolation until fever free for 24 hours and any other symptoms resolving.
    • Asymptomatic or symptoms resolving at the end of day five
      • Return to work if able to wear a well-fitting mask (KN95 or N95). Wear a mask for an additional five days.
      • Remain isolated if not able to wear a well-fitting mask (KN95 or N95) for an additional five days.

 

Updated - New York State COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave

Under legislation signed by former Governor Andrew Cuomo, workers in New York are guaranteed job protection and financial compensation while they are on a mandatory or precautionary quarantine order due to COVID-19. To be eligible for this benefit:

• An employee must be under either a written “mandatory” or “precautionary” order of quarantine issued by the NYS Department of Health, local Board of Health or any government entity authorized to issue such order.

Important FAQs about the program:

• • As a public employer, 14 calendar days of COVID-19 paid sick leave are available to all SUNY Schenectady full- and part-time employees.
  • Employees are eligible if the employer requires an employee to quarantine from work subject to the qualification restrictions listed below.
  • Leave is provided separate from any individual leave accruals or other sick bank programs.
  • Employees who do not show symptoms and are approved to work from home during the quarantine period are not eligible for quarantine leave. Regular pay would be in effect.
  • Employees may qualify for COVID-19 leave for up to three orders of quarantine. The second or third orders of quarantine must be based on a positive COVID-19 test.

If you are subject to a qualifying event for NYS COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave, please contact both your supervisor and Human Resources for further direction. Your supervisor will work with you and Human Resources to determine if you are able to work from home. Any order of mandatory or precautionary quarantine for you must be sent to the Office of Human Resources at humanresources@sunysccc.edu.

The College does not have a Work from Home policy. Work from home is only an option with a COVID-19 qualifying event. The qualifying event is not extended to an employee’s spouse or dependents.

Work from Home Option only if you are subject to Quarantine:

• • If an employee tests positive they are to send an email to Human Resources at humanresources@sunysccc.edu, including proof of a positive test and complete the NYS Department of Health Attestation Form from the New York State health department.
    
    • Human Resources will inform the employee of how to complete their timesheet for the period of time while in quarantine.
    • If the employee is able to and does work from home, they mark the timesheet as a work day with no other notations.
    • If the employee is not able to work from home, they mark the applicable days as “out" and indicate “NYS COVID Leave” in the notes section of the timesheet for the day.
    • If an employee has exhausted the NYS COVID Paid Leave, is still out of work due to COVID, and is not able to work from home they must charge regular accruals.

All employees must stay home if not feeling well or exhibiting any COVID-related symptoms. Employees must charge their sick leave accruals for sickness not related to COVID-19.

Please contact Human Resources for further questions at humanresources@sunysccc.edu or 518-381-1218.

Compliance

Employees who refuse to comply with these safety measures will be required to charge vacation or personal leave accruals or be in “leave without pay” status due to their absence from the workplace. The use of sick days for this purpose will not be allowed. Employees who refuse to comply with these safety measures will be subject to disciplinary measures.