To:   Transportation Employees

From:  Albert Samora, Executive Director of Transportation Services

Date:   October 6, 2020

RE:  COVID-19 and the Workplace

 

I would like to thank you for returning to the worksite. Your dedication means students across the district are getting access to equitable education, which is a pillarstone of Denver Public Schools. That being said, we want our workspace to remain as safe as possible. One way to avoid spreading the virus is to get tested.

Free COVID-19 testing

DPS is offering free COVID-19 testing for all employees. You’re encouraged to get tested every two weeks. This testing is intended for employees who don’t currently feel sick, as you might be an asymptomatic carrier without realizing it. If you are experiencing symptoms, please consult a medical professional. Please click here to sign up for a free COVID-19 test. Testing sites include North High School, All City Stadium, Hinkley High School in Aurora and Cherry Creek High School. You can read much more about the testing by clicking here.

So you tested positive, what’s next?

 

• Step1: Do not report to the worksite. A COVID-19 diagnosis means you should isolate immediately.
• Step 2: Contact (by phone or computer) your manager to inform them you have tested positive for COVID-19 and cannot report to the worksite. 
• Step 3: Discuss with your manager which DPS employees you have been in close contact with in the time period two days prior to your test date through the current day. 
• Step 4: Discuss with your manager if working remotely is an option and if you are feeling well enough to do so. 
• Step 5: If you are feeling ill, or are otherwise unable to work remotely, please submit a request for leave. 
• You can request a Leave through TruePay. Use this How To Guide to submit your request. We recommend using a computer to submit your request as mobile devices have been found to be unsuccessful. 
• Please Note: You will select Emergency Leave on the TruePay site. This is the COVID related leave option.
• Questions? Call 720-423-3092 or email LeaveofAbsence@dpsk12.org.
• For further information see COVID-19 Screening and COVID-19 Test Decision Tree.pdf
• Step 6: When is it ok to return to work? After a Positive COVID-19 Test, you can return to work when you have: 

• No fever for 24 hours without medicine, AND
• Other symptoms have improved, AND
• At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared or since the date of the test (if asymptomatic).

What if I don’t feel safe returning to my worksite?

If you cannot work at your assigned location because you are at a higher risk for contracting COVID-19, you need to let your supervisor know. If you don’t feel comfortable talking to your supervisor about your health risks, you can also submit an accommodation request. You’ll find instructions on how to do so here. The request is for both vulnerable individuals and those living in the same household with vulnerable individuals, or those with childcare responsibilities. You can access the form by logging on to Employee Space from the Employee Action Center on The Commons.

The request form will ask you to provide medical documentation regarding your disability or the reasons you qualify for an accommodation. You can provide your medical documentation by attaching it in Infor, or emailing it to LeaveOfAbsence@dpsk12.org if you need additional time to collect the information.

This process will remain open for accommodations through Dec. 31. Per CARES Act guidelines, only COVID-related leaves are affected by the December date; our standard Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) process remains in place.

If you’d rather take a leave of absence due to COVID-19, please visit The Commons for more information about that process.

Follow these instructions to submit your Leave of Absence request through TruePay. Please submit your request using a computer and not on a mobile device.

If you have questions, please email LeaveOfAbsence@dpsk12.org or call 720-423-3092.

Thank you,

 

Albert Samora

Executive Director of Transportation Services

Transportation@dpsk12.org