September 30, 2022
Good morning,
I appreciate your work to fill out the DAFS Telework Authorization Form. We ask that teleworkers and supervisors finish this process by next Friday, October 7.
Note: you do NOT need to redo the DHHS Telework Approval Form that you filled out or approved over the summer, just newly fill out the DAFS Telework Authorization Form.
A few reminders: it requires two steps each from employees and supervisors. First, employees fill it out and then supervisors approve (or disapprove) them. Second, employees review to see what, if any, edits supervisors made and sign it, and then supervisors download the PDF and email it to their HR representative. You should check the DAFS app to see if you have actions pending. The screen shot below shows the need for employee review and signature to complete the authorization process.
Supervisors can also see if the worker has completed the second step since it will say that the worker “acknowledged” it at which point you should download it to send to your HR representative (see the list of HR representatives in the DHHS Guidance on the DAFS Telework Authorization Form link).
It is also helpful for you to review our tips on filling it out, which you can find in the DHHS Guidance on the DAFS Telework Authorization Form. Experience this week suggests it does not take long for employees and supervisors to complete the process if they have reviewed the tips plus the DAFS Quick Reference Guides for Employees (PDF) or Supervisors (PDF).
Switching gears to work rules, just in case you missed it DAFS Commissioner Figueroa sent a note on Monday (pasted below) about updated work rules that take effect on Monday, October 3.
Lastly, thank you: our transition to the new DHHS Telework Policy has gone relatively smoothly. It is an adjustment: we appreciate the flexibility that all have demonstrated in the past four weeks.
Jeanne
Jeanne M. Lambrew, PhD, Commissioner
From: Figueroa, Kirsten
Sent: Monday, September 26, 2022 2:41 PM
Subject: Updated COVID-19 Work Rules – Effective October 3, 2022
Dear State Employee:
This email is to update you that the State of Maine COVID-19 Work Rules are changing. The changes will be effective for all State of Maine employees as of Monday, October 3, 2022.
To summarize:
- Workers are no longer required to wear a mask if they have not submitted a vaccination card documenting full vaccination.
- Workers must report to HR if you test positive for COVID-19.
- Workers who test positive for COVID-19 should follow U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance.Currently, that guidance is those who test positive for COVID-19 should isolate for 5 days and, if they are asymptomatic or their symptoms are resolving (without fever for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicine), follow that by 5 days of wearing a mask when around others to minimize the risk of infecting people they encounter. HR will provide current isolation requirements for those who test positive for COVID-19.
- Workers do not need to report if you were exposed to someone with COVID-19. Current U.S. CDC guidance recommends wearing a mask for 10 days after you were exposed, but no longer recommends that you quarantine. As such, you cannot use sick leave to quarantine if you are not feeling sick.
COVID-19 has evolved from an unknown, deadly disease into one that is better understood, that can be treated, and that has safe and effective vaccines. As such, the U.S. CDC has scaled back some of its protocols used to limit its spread. That said, COVID-19 remains with us, so we continue to endorse policies and practices to keep our workplaces safe:
- Stay home if you are sick, inform your supervisor, and seek medical care as necessary.
- Get tested if you have the symptoms of COVID-19 or were exposed to someone who has it. You can find out where to get tested at Maine’s COVID-19 site. You can also order free tests at Project ACT.
- Voluntary mask use is welcome any time, and it is recommended when you have been around someone who has been sick. Some people have family members who are immunocompromised; others may want to respect co-workers who are concerned about communicable disease. Whatever the reason, we want you to have no hesitation when wearing a face mask in our work environment.
- According to the U.S. CDC, getting vaccinated will help protect you against the worst consequences of these diseases. Our state employee health plan pays for the COVID-19 vaccine and boosters, and COVIDcare Administrative Leave is available for the 2022 calendar year to get a vaccine or a booster, or when recovering from the side effects of a dose. For more information on getting vaccinated, visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness’ vaccination clinic listing (PDF)or the State’s vaccination website.
- Washing your hands regularly and thoroughly helps protect your health from many types of communicable disease.
You can see the updated Work Rules here.
Best,
Kirsten LC Figueroa, Commissioner
Dept. of Administrative and Financial Services