Coronavirus (COVID-19) Employee FAQ

As the situation evolves, please check with your Spherion representative to ensure you have the most current version of this document. Last updated 3/230/2020

 A safe workplace environment is a shared responsibility of all Spherion employees. This includes your cooperation in reducing the risk of illness. We request and promote responsible behavior among our employees, as detailed below, in an effort to protect you and other people at your worksite.

What do I do if I think I’ve been exposed to coronavirus?

If you suspect that you’ve been exposed to coronavirus, refrain from self-diagnosing. COVID-19 may display little or no symptoms.

• Call your healthcare professional immediately for appropriate guidance.
• Do not report to work until you are properly diagnosed and have received medical confirmation that others will not be put at risk.
• Follow your normal procedures for reporting an absence: contact your local Spherion representative and/or your client supervisor. 

If I’m sick or think I may be getting sick, can I take a sick day?

If you are sick or think you may be getting sick, do not report for work. Your cooperation and participation in prevention is important. We request that you stay home if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms such as: fever, sore throat, coughing, difficulty breathing, vomiting, severe headaches and ear pain.

You can request a day of absence, at your discretion. We are working with our clients to ensure missed days due to the Corona Virus will not count against you. If you are unsure of your eligibility for leave or time off, please contact your Spherion representative CLICK HERE for locations and contact information

Will I be paid if I don’t go to work?

As each situation is unique based on location, client assignment, and other factors, you should work with your Spherion representative to determine if time away from your assignment due to illness or possible exposure to the coronavirus will be paid.    

How can I avoid getting sick?

The most effective way to stop the spread of coronavirus is by washing your hands often, and properly. Please follow these guidelines to help reduce the risk of infection or spreading the infection to others:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Learn the CDC’s recommended method in this video.
• Use an alcohol-based sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Limit contact with others (for example, avoid shaking hands).
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Regularly clean commonly used surfaces and devices you touch or handle.
• Avoid close contact with people who may be sick, especially if they have a fever, cough or difficulty breathing.
• Do not share snacks from packets or bowls that are shared with others.

Should I tell others at my work location about my health?

In an effort to contain the spread of coronavirus, we ask that you notify your Spherion representative if you believe you may have been either exposed to the virus or have contracted the virus. CLICK HERE for locations and contact information

Am I required to tell others about my future or past travel plans?

We request that you inform your Spherion representative, your client manager (if applicable) and your immediate circle of contacts, if 1) you have recently traveled to China, South Korea, Iran, Singapore, Japan,  Malaysia, or Europe, 2) you have recently traveled aboard a cruise ship, 3) you have come in contact with someone who has been diagnosed with coronavirus, or 4) you have had contact with someone who is currently (or previously has been) subject to quarantine.

We also ask that you cooperate with requests from clients about this type of travel information. If you have any concerns about a client inquiry, please contact your Spherion representative. CLICK HERE for locations and contact information

 If someone at my work location has coronavirus, am I required to go to work?

If you have a reasonable belief that a workplace is unsafe because of exposure to the coronavirus, report that to your Spherion representative and discuss whether it is appropriate for you to go to work. CLICK HERE for the phone number to your local office.

 In the US, an employee may refuse to report to work if they believe they are in imminent danger, meaning a condition exists in the workplace which can reasonably be expected to cause death or serious physical harm. 

 Work refusal will immediately be investigated and specific work refusal procedures will be followed.

Will Spherion notify management at my work location that I’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or that I am sick?

Like any other reason for not being at work, you should notify your Spherion representative and client manager (if applicable) if you are unable to work. Because containing the spread of coronavirus is of utmost importance, and clients are increasingly requesting this information pursuant to CDC and other guidelines, we do require you to notify your Spherion representative if you have been exposed to or contracted the virus.

If requested by persons with a legitimate need to know (client or Spherion employee at an impacted worksite, government official, etc.) we will share required, essential information (i.e. an individual at the site has been or may have been exposed to prevent the spread of the virus). To the extent possible, we will observe and request the confidentiality of this information.

If I get sick, will I be ineligible to return to my current assignment and/or be denied from consideration for future assignments?

No.

The client company I work for has no proper hygiene products (e.g., the soap in the bathroom is always empty, there is no hot water, no hand sanitizer stations, etc.). Who should I address this concern with?

Please notify your local Spherion representative and your client contact at your assignment worksite if appropriate preventative measures are not in place at the site. CLICK HERE for the phone number to your local office.

If the client company temporarily closes the warehouse/office where I work, will I get paid?

If such a situation arises, please reach out to your Spherion representative to discuss the details including how long the closure may last. Should the closure be long term, Spherion will make every attempt to help you find another assignment. If no alternative assignments are available and depending upon the state in which you live, you may become eligible for unemployment insurance benefits. In that case, we would ask you to reach out to your local state employment office for more details. CLICK HERE for the phone number to your local office.

 How long do I have to stay home if I get coronavirus? 

In an effort to minimize the spread of the virus, public health officials are recommending that you stay isolated (quarantined) for at least a period of 14 days. You must not report to work until you have received written clearance from a licensed healthcare provider indicating you are eligible to return to work.

Can I be forced to go home if the client suspects I have coronavirus but I feel fine? 

Yes. Employers have the duty to protect and keep their workplaces safe and healthy.  As a result, client sites have the ability to send employees home who display symptoms associated with COVID-19/coronavirus, who have traveled to areas impacted by the coronavirus or who have had contact with someone who has been diagnosed with coronavirus or who is currently (or previously has been) subject to quarantine. We expect these occurrences to be infrequent and will manage these situations as they arise.

Where can I get more information?

We recommend the following resources:

• World Health Organization
• CDC
• CDC  24-hour hotline: 1-800 232-4636 (English only)