COVID-19 Staff Resources

Will face coverings be provided to school district employees?

Every employee will be provided one cloth face covering. Additional face coverings may also be provided to employees including face shields.

I have a health concern that keeps me from being able to wear a mask?

Contact Janet Anderson at janet.anderson@isd15.org and provide a doctor’s note outlining the reasons for not being able to wear a mask. Employees will not be allowed in the building without a face covering without pre-approved arrangements from human resources.

Do schools have the right to require students who have COVID-19 symptoms to go home?

Yes, schools must ensure individuals with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 are not in school.

I am an at-risk employee and I am required to report to work. What can I do?

Individuals with disabilities have the right to request "reasonable accommodations" from employers that are subject to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and/or the Minnesota Human Rights Act. If you have a disability that affects your risk for contracting COVID-19 or being harmed if you do contract the virus, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation from the school district. When requesting a reasonable accommodation, describe the nature of the accommodation requested and how it will assist you in performing the essential functions of your job. Whether a requested accommodation is reasonable will depend on the specific circumstances. If an employee does not request a reasonable accommodation, the law does not mandate that the school district take any action.

Employee Reasonable Accommodation Request Form (PDF)

I live with a family member who has an underlying health condition that places them at greater risk if they contract COVID-19 and I am unable to work from home. What are my options?

Workers who live with family members who are at greater risk if they contract COVID-19 are encouraged to ask for reasonable accommodations that will allow them to continue working while maintaining the safety and health of their family member. If unable to provide a reasonable accommodation, you may have paid or unpaid leave options provided by policy, collective bargaining agreement, or law. If unable to provide a reasonable accommodation, you may be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits.

Can my employer disclose the identity of an employee who has tested positive for, or otherwise been diagnosed with, COVID-19 to coworkers who were in **close contact with the infected employee during the relevant 14-day period?

An employer should not disclose the identity of an employee who has tested positive for, or otherwise been diagnosed with, COVID-19 to coworkers without the consent of that employee. However, an employer can provide employees with information that would help them evaluate exposure. Employers can generally identify that "an employee has tested positive for COVID-19" or that "an employee has been exposed to COVID-19," but the employee should not be identified.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

• Symptoms of COVID-19 can include fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, fatigue, congestion, or loss of taste or smell. Other less common symptoms include gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
• These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after you are exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19.
• Not everyone with COVID-19 has all of these symptoms, and some people may not have any symptoms.
• Talk to your health care provider if you have questions or concerns about symptoms.
• COVID-19 Community Saliva Testing Information

If I am not displaying symptoms of COVID-19 but have had close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19, should I self-quarantine?

MDH recommends anyone who has had **close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 should self-quarantine at home for 14 days from the last date of exposure. People who have been **close to someone with COVID-19 may have been exposed to the virus, which means they have a greater chance of getting it themselves and then of spreading it to others. To prevent the spread of COVID-19, people who have been exposed need to stay home. Contact human resources immediately if you have had close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19.

Can I telework while self-quarantining due to contracting COVID-19 or due to COVID-19 exposure?

Depending on the situation, an employee may telework while self-quarantining or self-isolating with supervisor approval.

What should an employee do if they think they contracted COVID-19 while working?

The employee should notify the school district as soon as possible after they develop symptoms they think could be COVID-19 contracted while working. There are time limitations for reporting an injury to the school district.