COVID-19: Information for PEF Members & Staff

We want to share with you a very important benefit that PEF was able to obtain for its members some years ago, that is taking on new importance during the COVID-19 crisis.

The unfortunate reality of the current COVID-19 emergency is that some NYS Local and Retirement System (NYSLRS) members may become seriously, or even fatally, ill.

We believe that at a time like this it is vitally important for our members to understand how to apply fSor retirement, in order to provide a continuing pension benefit to your beneficiary, rather than a one-time, in-service death benefit.

If you are diagnosed with COVID-19 and are experiencing severe symptoms or have any of the risk factors associated with the virus, we urge you to file a disability retirement application.

This benefit is available to all members who have at least ten years of state service.

The NYS Comptroller’s Office has complete information and links to the necessary forms.

Please click here to access.

4/14/2020
Resources Table Masks, Respirators, Face PPE

4/7/2020 COVID-19 Health and Safety Report

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Health and Safety Report
The purpose of this form is to notify management that in your professional opinion this assignment is unsafe. When you have been given an assignment that you believe is unsafe, you should immediately verbally notify your supervisor of your concerns, then complete this form, (during a break, or after your shift) but without interrupting your work or interfering with patient care. You should also file a formal incident report with your employer.

Find the Health and Safety Report here

Important information on PPE

If healthcare facilities or hospital staff believe they are being placed at risk for potential exposure due to not having the appropriate PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), and the facility is non-responsive or indicating they are low on PPE, the Department of Health has set up a mailbox for COVID -19 PPE complaints:

covidhospitaldtcinfo@health.ny.gov

Thank you,
Darlene Williams, PEF Article 18 Statewide Health and Safety Co-Chair
Michael Blue, PEF Article 18 Statewide Health and Safety Co-Chair

3/26/2020
Updated instructions for managing Psychiatric Center patients and staff
Updated instructions for managing Psychiatric Center patients and staff suspected or confirmed positive for COVID-19

3/25/2020
NYS Novel Coronavirus – COVID-19 Update
3/25 – NYS Novel Coronavirus – COVID-19 Update

3/25/2020
LATS/Attendance & Leave Guidance for COVID-19 Reported Absences
3/25 – LATS/Attendance & Leave Guidance for COVID-19 Reported Absences

3/21/2020
Division of Juvenile Justice and Opportunities for Youth Executive Directive
https://www.pef.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/DJJYExecutiveDirectivel.pdf

3/9/2020
General Information for PEF Members and Staff

We encourage you to visit coronavirus.gov to learn ways to keep you, your family, and your community safe.

Prevention

These simple steps can help stop the spread of this and other respiratory viruses:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

PEF has developed factsheets for general information on COVID-19, as well as more specialized information for facilities and healthcare workers.

Workplace Safety

Because of the nature of our work, PEF members have a risk of exposure when working with the public.

PEF will be meeting with GOER, DOH, other key agencies and unions to discuss New York State readiness for a potential outbreak. We will also be discussing how paid time, release time or worker’s compensation will be provided to workers should social distancing, quarantine or isolation be required by State agencies.

This will require a clear agreement between the State and the unions, and one we are working on right now. The State may require workers who are exposed to go home and self-monitor, under the supervision of a doctor, for as many as 14 days or more. In some cases, they may not develop the disease, and return to work. If symptoms develop that requires medical care they would remain out until cleared by a doctor to return to work. We understand the reasoning, if workers are asymptomatic, but contagious, and stay at work they may infect many more people. However, there may be a problem if someone does not have much (or any) paid leave time available. They simply cannot afford to stay home. That may discourage reporting.

The Workers Compensation law has guaranteed workers who are made ill on the job will be paid for lost wages. We believe it should cover workers in this case too. We are prepared to use any and all of our resources, including litigation, to make sure that members get the rights and benefits they are entitled to.

Health Care Workers

The NYS Nurses Association (NYSNA) has developed excellent points of information and resources for healthcare practitioners. We appreciate their generosity and permission to share it with you:

For a COVID-19 information and updates please see https://www.nysna.org/blog/2020/01/28/health-and-safety-alert-covid-19#.XlRDizJKjcs

For a Facility Readiness Checklist and for information on the flu, please visit

https://www.nysna.org/sites/default/files/CoronaVirusChecklist.pdf

https://www.nysna.org/sites/default/files/attach/2809/2020/01/Flu-Flyers-2020-1.pdf

Additional information for H&S Committee Chairs, Council Leaders and Executive Board

Local leaders should put the issue on their H&S and/or L/M Committee agendas and discuss workplace readiness and response for both COVID-19 and the Flu.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a COVID-19 epidemic global risk assessment level of “high” and has declared a global health emergency. In order to protect workers from exposure, it is essential that workplaces plan and prepare for the safety and health issues of COVID-19 before it becomes a pandemic. Employers need to put infection control measures and emergency plans into place at work so that workers are fully protected in advance of the arrival of a pandemic virus.

The first step is to determine if the employer is ready to address the safety and health issues of a pandemic flu or virus in your workplace. The union should review existing programs, plans, and policies to see whether they include a pandemic flu infection control program, including:

Review the Employer’s Safety and Health Programs

• Overall safety and health program for the workplace
• Infection control program
• Exposure risk determination for pandemic flu virus
• Methods of controlling pandemic flu exposure
• Health surveillance plan to identify sick workers
• Pandemic flu training and hazard communication
• COOP (Continuity of Operations Plan)
• Housekeeping and cleaning protocols
• Provision of sanitizers and antivirals for the workforce

We are in the process of developing specific questions for institutional and correctional facilities. Those will be sent out soon to your PEF leaders.

The PEF Health & Safety Department will send out periodic updates on COVID-19.

3/16/2020
Covid-19 Health and Safety Guidance and Material provided by state agencies

DEC Approved COVID-19 Disinfectants
DOH Cleaning of Non-Health Care Settings
DOH Cleaning of Public and Private Facilities
DOH Cleaning of Public Transportation
DOH Cleaning of Religious Facilities
DOH Cleaning of Schools
DOH Containment Guidance
DOH Potential Exposed Employee Guidance
DOH/SED PK-12 School Guidance
Governor Office Travel Precaution Memo
OCFS Child Care Guidance for Parents
OCFS Cleaning of Congregate Settings
OCFS Provider Precautions for Public Interaction
OMH Provider Precautions for Public Interaction
OTDA Shelter and Supportive Housing Provider Guidance

Important Coronavirus Policy Updates – PEF Members

In response to COVID-19 and staffing needs, the State and PEF have entered into a Memorandum of Agreement allowing for the carryover of more than forty (40) days of vacation credits on April 1, 2020 (under Article 12.4(c), employees would otherwise forfeit accrued vacation credits in excess of 40 days). This is for employees engaged in the response efforts or unable to utilize vacation leave due to ongoing response efforts. Employees will be given until the close of business on December 31, 2020 to use such excess vacation credits. Thereafter, forfeiture of vacation credits will be governed by language from the PS&T collective bargaining agreement. This agreement shall not affect vacation credits accrued by employees after April 1, 2020.

View Memorandum of Agreement here

On March 8, 2020, Budget Director Robert Mujica issued the attached bulletin, “Coronavirus Diseases 2019 Emergency Preparedness and Related Expenditures.” The bulletin allows for a blanket overtime authorization for staff in Salary Grade 27 and below who work in excess of 47.5 hours per week, provided that such overtime is both essential and directly related to activities associated with the State’s preparation and response to COVID-19. Extraordinary overtime compensation requests for staff in positions above Salary Grade 27 shall be reviewed by DOB on a case-by-case basis. For Salary Grade 27 and above, a formal request for a Waiver of Overtime Compensation Rules will be necessary to demonstrate that such extraordinary overtime is critical to activities associated with the State’s preparation and response to COVID-19. This bulletin in no way impacts Article 7.14 of the PEF/State collective bargaining agreement which allows for overtime compensation for positions in the PS&T Unit allocated or equated to Salary Grades 22 and below.

View complete budget bulletin here

Directive from GOER on Mandatory and precautionary quarantines including leave usage for ALL state employees.

View memorandum here

Additional resources available for Empire Plan enrollees

Cost Sharing Waivers for COVID-19 Testing

Enrollee cost sharing requirements for COVID-19 testing at approved locations are waived. In addition, copays, coinsurance, and deductibles for visits associated with COVID-19 testing are waived, whether the testing is provided in a health care provider’s office, an urgent care center, or an emergency department. This cost share waiver applies to all active Empire Plan enrollees, early retirees and Medicare eligible retirees.

Early Prescription Refills

To ensure enrollee access to medications, enrollees will be allowed one emergency prescription refill of up to a 30-day supply for three prescriptions of retail medications and one prescription of specialty medications during a 90-day period. Normal copay rules apply.

Managing Coronavirus Anxiety

Visit the Beacon Lens at beaconlens.com for advice and tips on managing stress and anxiety due to coronavirus. Additional online resources on this topic are available in a guide from the NYS Office of Mental Health and at the Centers for Disease Control.

Nurseline

The Empire Plan Nurseline is fully prepared to share information with enrollees on the COVID-19 virus and triage them to the appropriate level of care as necessary based on the severity of their symptoms. As a reminder, the Empire Plan Nurseline number is 1-877-769-7447, Option # 5.

We will keep you posted as any new information regarding the coverage of the COVID-19 virus by the Empire Plan becomes available. Keep apprised on COVID-19 by visiting https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home. Here you can also sign up for email updates on the coronavirus. Please contact me with any questions or concerns you may have on this issue.

Guidance on the Contacts of a Close or Proximate Contact of a Confirmed or Suspected Case of COVID-19 – View complete details here

Interim Guidance for Procedures When Identifying an Employee with Concerns for COVID-19 Exposures

PPE for Residential Evaluation and Testing COVID-19

PPE for in-home assessment and testing:

CDC Interim Guidance for Public Health Personnel Evaluating Persons Under Investigation (PUIs) and Asymptomatic Close Contacts of Confirmed Cases at Their Home or Non-Home Residential Settings
Click here for the PPE for Residential Evaluation and Testing COVID-19 PDF

Clean hands protect against infection
Click here for WHO – How do I wash my hands properly flyer

OPWDD Guidelines for Implementation of Quarantine and/or Isolation Measures

OPWDD has released Guidelines for Implementation of Quarantine and/or Isolation Measures at State-Owned and Voluntary Providers in Congregate Settings which can be found at the below link:

https://opwdd.ny.gov/guidelines-quarantineisolation-measures-state-owned-and-voluntary-providers-congregate-settings

COVID-19 PEF Memorial

PEF has lost ten brothers and sisters to this insidious virus

Childcare Issues

7/2/2020 – Childcare Issues

Workers Compensation

UPDATED 10/17/2022

Long COVID: Workers’ Compensation Coverage and Benefits

Top ten things PEF members need to know about Workers’ Compensation

PEF OSH Factsheet

PEF OSH Factsheet: Workers Compensation and COVID-19

COVID and Workers Compensation Q&A

PEF Member COVID-19 Exposure Tracking Form

Attention “Essential” Workers: Workers’ Compensation coverage may be available for COVID-19 Coronavirus

NYS PEF: Article 13 Workers Compensation for PEF Members – Q&A on Work-Related Injuries/Illnesss

Steps to take in a Workers’ Compensation case

COVID and Worker’s Compensation Attorney Contact Information

PEF COVID-19 FAQ

UPDATED: 6/26/2020

PEF Director of Contract Administration put together a FAQ document based on the many questions we have been receiving from our members. The Q&A document will be updated regularly as new information becomes available.

We know this is a stressful and, at times, confusing period. Please continue to check the PEF website and social media pages for updated information and please feel free to send us your questions and concerns.

Find the most updated PEF Q&A document here