Dear NVT amazing, selfless, thoughtful and COVID rule following staff,

The big question I believe on everyone’s mind is how does COVID-19 landscape affect me personally for the holiday gatherings? Writing this letter pains us in so many ways. We don’t want to tell people what to do or judge what people do. We are doing our best to be responsible to the government who has supported us all in staying employed and in business, be responsible to our families and schools in keeping their children and students safe and trying to keep safe and support all our staff’s mental health and wellness. With all that in mind in this letter you will find the following:

1. Summary of the information from yesterday’s press conference in regards to holiday gatherings
2. List of all options you have in making choices in participating in multi-household family gatherings or traveling
3. Additional resources to help support you in your choices

Summarized information from Governor Scott at yesterday’s briefing in regards to holiday gatherings:

State of Emergency extended to January 15, 2021.

Plea to Vermonters to stay vigilant and follow the current guidance for travel and multi-household gatherings –
https://governor.vermont.gov/sites/scott/files/documents/ADDENDUM%209%20TO%20AMENDED%20AND%20RESTATED%20EXECUTIVE%20ORDER%2001-20%20.pdf

Choices:  (choosing any of these will be approved, accepted and not judged)

Option 1: Follow guidance by the governor in regards to holiday gathering plans and be available to work on-site
You will be given work on 12.28, 12.29 and 12.30 that may require you to work at any of our work-sites or with students.

Option 2: To engage in holiday gathering plans from last day of work until 12.27.20 at midnight that are not in line with the Governor’s guidance.
You must take time off for your quarantine. You can use PTO, UPTO and if you do not have accrued PTO and UPTO – unpaid time for 12.23 , 12.28, 12.29, 12.30. The week of 1.4.2021 you can take unpaid time off. (Salary staff unpaid time off is not set-up in Paychex for you, when you  email to your supervisor and HR, they will record for payroll purposes.)  This time will be approved for anyone who wants it, as long as it is requested by 12.18.2020. If you do not take the time off it will be assumed that you are available to come into the office to work. If you need to be at home for childcare, quarantine etc. please take PTO.

Option 3: Follow the guidance of the governor in regards to travel and multi-household gatherings and take approved time off paid or unpaid 12.23, 12.28, 12.29., 12.30.
This can be requested and approved up to 12.18.2020.

Option 4: Continue your travel plan as approved by HR and follow the quarantine guidance.

Please read this form (click here) and sign under the option you will be picking and email the form to your supervisor and HR by 12.18.20.

Additional Information & Resources that you can use to support you in making a choice:

What you need to do if you travel and or engage in a multi-household gathering.
Yesterday’s briefing link: https://governor.vermont.gov/press-release/governor-phil-scott-extends-state-emergency-january-15

What it means to quarantine – please read and make sure you understand what this means for you

If you choose to get together for the holidays here is some ways to do it safely per the CDC:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html

BA’s have personally checked in with all families that we are serving the week of 12.28.20 and have verified with those that we are serving that they are following guidance and will be here for services and those that are not will not be in.

Any time off  (planned or unplanned) for December requested after 12.18.20 need to go through the directors, please cliq Lesha or Jenn directly if you have a need for taking time off.

Every BI will be given a $100 bonus opportunity for the week of 12.28.20 regardless of the above choice made.

Thank you,
Lesha Rasco & Jenn Johnson