NTEU’S Proposal for Reopening SSA
The key points of the White House memorandum on Opening Up America Again included:
Gaiting criteria that must be met in a state or county before proceeding to the phased reopening process:
1) influenza-like illnesses and COVID-like cases of illness must trend downward for 14 days;
2) documented COVID-19 cases and prevalence of positive tests must trend downward for 14 days (while not decreasing the overall number of tests); and,
3) local hospitals must have the capacity to treat all patients without crisis care and jurisdictions must have a robust healthcare worker testing program in place.
The timeline for moving through the 3-phased approach will be dependent on the ability to control infection levels, and maintain a constant decrease over time. The Federal government remains committed to this federally supported, state managed, and locally executed model.
Agency leaders must continue to ensure continuity in delivery of Federal government services, protect the health and safety of the Federal workforce, and provide Federal government leadership and momentum as an impetus toward a broader national return to normalcy [Emphasis added].
State and regional assessments should be the starting point for discussions and decisions related to Federal agency operations, but additional factors may include: school and daycare closures, mass transit availability, parking availability, facility requirements, and missions.
The guidance encourages Agencies to “continue to use appropriate telework protocols for their operations.” Until things return to normal, Agencies are instructed to “maximize telework flexibilities to all eligible workers within those populations that the CDC identified as being at higher risk for serious complications from COVID-19 and to CDC-identified special populations including pregnant women regardless of location.” Moreover, “Agencies do not need to require certification by a medical professional, and may accept self-identification by employees that they are in one of these populations.”
Proposal
Telework and Maxi-flex
SSA implemented mandatory telework starting March 17, 2020. Since then, every SSA employee has teleworked unless internet connectivity was unavailable or they experienced other technical issues. Not once during this one month period, has SSA reported a decline in public service. In fact, DWPI remained above the 95% threshold. Further, SSA has been successful in transitioning hearings from video/in person to telephonic. Even this move has proven successful. Employees have stepped up to the plate to ensure SSA’s success during this very difficult time.
Therefore, I propose that we continue to maintain full-time telework. I further encourage you to implement a maxi-flex work schedule as NTEU proposed on March 22, 2020. White House guidance supports telework flexibilities consistent with OMB and OPM’s guidance. The guidance issued by OPM last month encouraged agencies to implement a maxi-flex schedule to allow employees to maintain a much needed work-life balance, and care for children and other dependents.
White House guidance directs Federal Agencies to consider other factors such as “school and daycare closures, mass transit availability, parking availability, facility requirements, and missions.” Many States announced that schools will remain closed for the rest of the school year. This generally also includes daycares. Therefore, employees still have the responsibility of caring for children and other dependents, such as elderly parents. This is why we need a maxi-flex schedule.
Emergency Paid Sick Leave
While the White House is moving forward to reopen America, the Agency should be mindful that the Families First Coronavirus Response Act that contains the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act provisions remain in place through December 31, 2020. SSA needs to provide guidance to management and update WebTA so that employees can use this paid sick leave as Congress intended.
Continue Work at Home Quarantine
Following the Gating criteria above, reopening offices should be a slow process. CDC guidelines for those at risk should continue to work at home to reduce potential exposure. As noted in the memo, certification by a health care provider should not be necessary.
Health and Safety Screening, Cleaning, and Equipment
Agencies have a duty to “restrict individuals with or at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19 from accessing Federal facilities.” Offices need to check temperatures before allowing individuals (employees or visitors) to enter the office.
SSA must have on hand and be able to acquire “hygiene supplies including but not limited to hand sanitizer, hand soap, paper towels, toilet paper, and disinfectant wipes.”
The guidance directs Agencies to consider “open space designs” where social distancing is difficult. Therefore, offices with workstations with lower walls and adjoining cubicles should be the last offices open.
In conclusion, SSA has praised workers for staying on course despite the difficulties we face. SSA employees have proven our resilience and commitment to meeting SSA’s mission and goals. As we move forward in planning to reopen the Agency, SSA’s focus should be on keeping its employees safe, and ensuring the health, wellness, and safety of the general public that we serve.