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COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Updates & Resources for City Employees
As Durham, the state of North Carolina, and our entire country face the unknowns of COVID-19, the City’s top priority is to maintain essential services for our community while protecting the health and safety of our residents and employees.
This page will continue to serve as a resource for City of Durham employees during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing guidance for both on-site and remote work.
LATEST UPDATES
- Risk Management's holiday safety guidance will expire on February 28. Beginning March 1, employees will be permitted to access their office space with prior approval from their Department Director and in accordance with the restrictions detailed here (PDF). Please note that the City is still encouraging employees who are able to work from home to continue doing so.
- Employees will also regain access to City gym facilities beginning March 1, with some restrictions. Please be sure to review these restrictions (PDF) before visiting a City gym.
- The CDC is now recommending double masking along with three other options to improve the fit of masks and increase their effectiveness. Double masking is not mandatory at this time, but the choice to double mask is supported by Risk Management. Learn more about double masking (PDF). You can also find these updated recommendations in the revised Guidance on Mask Use (PDF).
- Effective January 25, Risk Management has updated the City’s Safety Program policy to address COVID-19 and related protocols. Note that under the revised policy, failure to follow COVID-19 safety protocols (PDF) could result in disciplinary action for both employees and their supervisors/managers. The revised policy (PDF) is available to review in full on CODI.
City Updates
Policies & Guidance for City of Durham Employees
Whether working at home or out in the community, all of us are adjusting to the "new normal" of the COVID-19 pandemic. The City of Durham has implemented a number of temporary policies and other official guidance to ensure employees can continue to do their jobs during this time in a safe and effective manner.
Overview of Guidelines for Employees
1. Face Coverings & Masks (Updated 02/15/21)
While indoors, employees must wear an approved face covering at all times, unless they are alone in a closed office. While outdoors, employees must wear a face covering when it is not possible to be consistently socially distant by 6 feet or more. Read more about guidance for face covering and mask use (PDF).
View a comprehensive overview of all workplace protocols for on-site employees (PDF). Failure to follow these protocols could result in disciplinary action under the revised Safety Program policy (PDF).
2. Social Distancing
Social distancing should be practiced at all times. In the limited instances where social distancing is not possible, a face covering must be worn. Read more about social distancing guidelines (PDF).
View a comprehensive overview of all workplace protocols for on-site employees (PDF). Failure to follow these protocols could result in disciplinary action under the revised Safety Program policy (PDF).
3. Wellness Screening
All employees must complete a wellness screening before reporting to on-site work. The form should be answered truthfully, as your responses will determine whether or not you are cleared to come into work. Read more about wellness screenings (PDF).
View a comprehensive overview of all workplace protocols for on-site employees (PDF). Failure to follow these protocols could result in disciplinary action under the revised Safety Program policy (PDF).
4. Cleaning of Personal & Shared Workspaces
The General Services Department will be thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting common areas and surfaces, but employees are responsible for cleaning and disinfecting their personal work areas and equipment. Read more about employee cleaning protocols (PDF).
View a comprehensive overview of all workplace protocols for on-site employees (PDF). Failure to follow these protocols could result in disciplinary action under the revised Safety Program policy (PDF).
5. Sharing Vehicles
No more than two individuals are permitted to share a City vehicle at one time. When sharing a vehicle, masks must be worn at all times. Read more about guidelines for sharing a vehicle (PDF).
View a comprehensive overview of all workplace protocols for on-site employees (PDF). Failure to follow these protocols could result in disciplinary action under the revised Safety Program policy (PDF).
6. Illness
Employees should stay at home if they are feeling ill, even with symptoms unrelated to COVID-19. Read more about our employee wellness policy (PDF).
View a comprehensive overview of all workplace protocols for on-site employees (PDF). Failure to follow these protocols could result in disciplinary action under the revised Safety Program policy (PDF).
7. Taking Leave
All employees hired before May 1, 2020 have been granted 5 weeks of COVID leave. Relaxed sick leave and shared leave are additional options for eligible employees managing certain COVID-19 related issues. Otherwise, normal leave request procedures should be followed at this time. Read more about leave policies (PDF).
8. Teleworking
Employees are permitted to telework during the COVID-19 pandemic at the discretion of their supervisor and if job requirements allow. Read more about guidelines for teleworking (PDF).
9. Virtual Collaboration
Microsoft Teams and Zoom are the only TS-sanctioned tools for virtual collaboration. Read more about guidelines for virtual collaboration (PDF).
Complete Policies & Guidance
Please click through the following tabs to review the City of Durham’s official COVID-19 policies and guidance for employees:
Policies:
Temporary Employee Wellness (PDF)
Temporary Shared Leave Donations for School Closures (PDF)
- Temporary Shared Leave Donation Request Form (Fillable PDF)
- Temporary Shared Leave Donation Form (Fillable PDF)
Note: Fillable PDFs can be completed and signed electronically - no printing required. We recommend opening the form/s in Adobe Acrobat Reader to complete them instead of filling them out directly in your browser (additionally, some browsers do not support fillable PDFs). Click here for additional instructions. The completed form/s should be emailed to HRConnect@DurhamNC.gov.
Temporary Leave & School Closures (PDF)
Temporary Severe Weather (PDF)
Overview of Leave Options:
Midday Moment Presentations:
11/4 Midday Moment: Download all slides from the 'COVID-19: City of Durham Data & Workplace Protocols' presentation (PDF).
8/26 Midday Moment: Download all slides from the 'Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) & Temporary Shared Leave Donations for School Closures Policy' presentation (PDF).
7/22 Midday Moment: Download all slides from the 'Virtual Learning, Modified Schedules, Daycare Closures & the City of Durham Workforce' presentation (PDF).
Requirements for City Employees Following Holiday Safety Guidance Expiration (PDF)
COVID-19 Office Protocols (PDF)
COVID-19 Wellness Screening Requirements (PDF)
Guidance on Mask Use (PDF) - Updated 02.15.21
Guidance on Multi-Passenger Vehicle Use (PDF)
Safety Program (PDF) Note: This policy is only available on CODI, so employee login will be required to view.
PPE & Cleaning Supply Request Procedure:
The Finance Department’s Purchasing Division has implemented a new process to coordinate the distribution of COVID-related PPE and cleaning supplies. Purchasing will operate a centralized supply distribution point out of City Hall, and will distribute supplies to each department on a weekly basis based on requests received by specific designees in each City department and division.
All requests for PPE and cleaning supplies must go through these designees. Please see your department/division designee to receive supplies from the central store at City Hall.
Standards for Virtual Collaboration (COMING SOON)
Work from Home Resource & Service Requests (COMING SOON)
Guidance on At-Home Use of City-Issued Hardware (COMING SOON)
IT Acceptable Use Policy (PDF)* Note: This policy is only available on CODI, so employee login will be required to view.
IT Security Policy (PDF)* Note: This policy is only available on CODI, so employee login will be required to view.
* Note that these are permanent policies that, while applicable in a work from home environment, are not specific to COVID-19. Employees are encouraged to review these policies to ensure that all remote work falls in line with City IT policy.
Temporary HR Policy Timeline
Current Policies
Policy Name |
Effective Date |
Last Updated |
Expiration Date |
---|---|---|---|
Temporary Employee Wellness (PDF) |
March 13, 2020 |
July 14, 2020 |
March 31, 2021 |
Temporary Shared Leave Donations for School Closures (PDF) |
August 24, 2020 |
August 24, 2020 |
June 30, 2021 |
Temporary Leave & School Closures (PDF) (NEW VERSION) |
August 24, 2020 |
August 17, 2020 |
June 30, 2021 |
Temporary Severe Weather (PDF) |
November 23, 2020 |
November 23, 2020 |
March 31, 2021 |
Expired Policies
Policy Name |
Effective Date |
Last Updated |
Expiration Date |
---|---|---|---|
Temporary Leave & School Closures (PREVIOUS VERSION) |
March 30, 2020 | May 31, 2020 | May 31, 2020 |
Temporary Premium Pay | March 30, 2020 | June 19, 2020 | June 19, 2020 |
Temporary Personal Travel | March 13, 2020 | June 30, 2020 | June 30, 2020 |
Temporary Business Travel |
March 13, 2020 |
September 30, 2020 |
September 30, 2020 |
FFCRA Emergency Sick & FMLA Leave |
April 1, 2020 |
December 31, 2020 |
December 31, 2020 |
Communication With Employees
The City uses a variety of methods to communicate with employees, but this page and the channels below will be the primary means of communication during the COVID-19 pandemic:
City Week
City Week, our weekly employee newsletter, is your best source for reliable, up-to-date communication from the City during COVID-19.
All City of Durham employees are signed up to receive City Week each Monday to their DurhamNC.gov email address. If you are not receiving City Week to your email and would like to, please email Hannah Watts.
You can also sign up to receive City Week by text alert.
PAPA
PAPA (Public Affairs Priority Alerts) is the City’s emergency notification system used to provide time-sensitive information and emergency updates to employees, including those related to COVID-19 and its impact on City employees. You can expect to receive PAPA alerts via email, phone, and/or text depending on your personal settings.
To learn more about PAPA view the PAPA How-to Guide (PDF), including how to update your contact information on page 7.
Human Resources
Visit Human Resources’ homepage for HR Connect hours, additional HR resources, and more.
Service request:
Click or call 919-560-1200