If you decide to get a COVID-19 vaccination, we want you to know that your pay will be covered for the time needed to obtain the vaccine, and for any necessary recovery time after vaccination. The government reimburses us for this pay, but in order to cover you, you must report the time as PTO with the Memo: COVID-19 Vaccine.
For salaried employees, please send a simple e-mail to Timesheets with any hours off from work due to obtaining and recovering from the vaccine. Please contact HR if you have any questions.
Cybersecurity Reminder
Please take note that with the spread of COVID-19, many criminals are taking advantage of the situation by sending deceptive phishing e-mails about the virus. Many of these e-mails are automatically blocked by our security systems. However, some of them will still be delivered.
Be especially cautious of the following:
Unsolicited e-mails from outside of our e-mail system that discuss COVID-19. Do not click on any links or open any attachments from sources you do not know or that seem suspicious. Additionally, do not circulate e-mails containing links regarding COVID-19 to others without confirming the legitimacy of the link you are forwarding.
E-mails claiming to be from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), or other experts saying they have information about the virus.
The websites you visit. Be careful to visit only known and reputable websites regarding COVID-19. Many malicious websites have been created for this topic, specifically designed to infect computers with (malware) malicious software.
Online offers for vaccinations. There currently are no vaccines, pills, potions, lotions, lozenges or other prescription or over-the-counter products available to treat or cure Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) — online or in stores.
Never give out your username and password or enter your credentials into any form or website that you did not intentionally visit.
If you are uncertain whether an e-mail is safe, open a new e-mail message, add the suspicious e-mail to it as an attachment, and send it to Helpdesk for inspection.
Thank you for staying vigilant with your cybersecurity practices as well as efforts to keep everybody healthy.
Help for COVID-19 Anxiety
We’ve all been impacted by COVID-19 in one way or another, and the disruption to our routines and even cancelled vacation plans can cause us some extra anxiety. This anxiety can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations, but there are things you can do to support yourself.
Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting.
Take care of your body. Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate. Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep, and avoid alcohol and drugs.
Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy.
Connect with others, even virtually when social distancing. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.
Many resources are available at this time to help ease the anxiety, fear, and stress caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The experts at Healbright have developed a new course Mental Wellness Under Quarantine, available online and completely free (no strings attached) to the public through April 30, 2020. This custom course compiles clips from clinical psychologists and provides a variety of exercises that you (and your loved ones) can do from the comfort of your homes. It focuses on stress and resilience, offering more than a dozen practices designed to calm the nervous system and reduce stress.
We also have our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) available for free to all employees and their households. The EAP offers highly trained clinicians to listen to your concerns and help you or your family members with any issues you may be facing, including anxiety and stress, marital conflicts, and financial difficulties. We have EAP programs available both through Cigna and through Guidance Resources. Both include 3 free face-to-face visits with a licensed behavioral health provider and unlimited telephone counseling.
Call 800-327-1850 for direct 24/7 access to a Guidance Consultant. Or Log on the guidanceresources.com online to view an abundance of COVID-19 resources and articles. Web ID: HLF902. Company Name APG E. Cigna members can log in to mycigna.com and click on the EAP link. In addition to the free counseling visits described above, the Cigna Emotional Well-Being program also includes two apps: Happify and iPrevail. iPrevail is loaded with interactive video lessons and one on one coaching to help with depression and anxiety. Happify is a self-directed program with activities, science-based games and guided meditations designed to help reduce stress and anxiety, gain confidence, defeat negative thoughts and boost overall health.
