Date: 03/09/2020
To: All People
The world health community continues to monitor closely the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the disease it causes, named “coronavirus disease 2019” (COVID-19). At this time, no one knows how severe this outbreak will be or could be. Given this uncertainty, and the fact that the seasonal influenza (flu) virus is also widespread, we are taking proactive steps to address a number of business concerns. First and foremost, we want to maintain a safe workplace and encourage and/or adopt practices protecting the health of our People, customers, visitors or others. We also want to ensure the continuity of business operations in the event of a pandemic.
We ask all People to cooperate in taking steps to reduce the transmission of communicable diseases in the workplace. All People are reminded of the following:
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Wash your hands frequently with warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds.
- Cover your mouth with tissues whenever you sneeze, and discard used tissues in the trash.
- Avoid people who are sick with respiratory symptoms.
- Clean frequently touched surfaces.
Crescent will provide alcohol-based hand sanitizers throughout the workplace and in common areas. Cleaning sprays and wipes will also be provided to clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces such as telephones and keyboards.
Crescent encourages the use of telephone and video conferencing instead of face-to-face meetings as much as possible during this outbreak. IT support services are available to those who need assistance with this technology.
It is critical that our People do not report to work while they are experiencing respiratory symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills or fatigue. Currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that People remain at home until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever (100 degrees F or 37.8 degrees C) or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications. Many times, with the best of intentions, People report to work even though they feel ill. We provide paid sick time and other benefits to compensate People who are unable to work due to illness. People who report to work ill will be sent home in accordance with these health guidelines.
While we currently do not offer formal telework arrangements, Crescent will consider, on a case-by-case basis, requests from People to work from home during this time. While not all positions are conducive to telework, those positions with primary job duties that can be effectively performed remotely will be given consideration.
Please contact your SPGs or the People Group team with any questions or concerns.
Thank you,
Tasha
