HR Information
Human Resources answers your frequently asked questions and addresses new policies and guidelines implemented in response to COVID-19.
Self-Monitoring Policy for Onsite Employees
This policy applies to all members of the Mount Sinai Health system (MSHS) workforce employees including, but not limited to: nurses, medical staff, trainees, students, volunteers, physician office staff, and other persons performing work for or at the MSHS.
Every employee is responsible for self-monitoring for COVID-like symptoms prior to arriving for onsite work. Self-monitoring must occur daily. If symptoms are present, the employee should notify Employee Health Services (EHS) and not report for onsite work. For information on how to notify EHS, click here.
(Updated: July 23, 2021)
Tip Sheet for Employee COVID-19 Self-Screening on a Mobile Device
Click on the icon or scan the QR code below to complete your daily attestation.
Work From Home Guidance
Mount Sinai’s temporary remote work policy explained along with reference guide to better support staff accessing email, work stations and programs remotely.
- Work From Home Guidance (PDF)
- Remote Access Reference Guide (PDF)
PTO Guidance
Revised as of 6/5
REVISED STAFF PTO/VACATION POLICY:
At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and as our patient volume increased, we implemented a modified PTO policy to ensure that we had adequate staff in place to care for our patients. Given that we now have a lower volume of COVID-19 patients in our health system, we are resuming our standard PTO policy on June 5, 2020.
PTO requires the pre-approval of a manager or supervisor but no longer requires re-approval or re-review 48 hours before the first day of scheduled PTO. Please note, now that we are resuming our standard PTO policy we will not reimburse staff for any personal travel that is cancelled after June 5th.
We encourage staff to reach out to their supervisors and managers now to schedule and enjoy some time away from work.
Also, please note, as a reflection of the past restrictions on PTO, we are making the following changes regarding “carry-over” PTO days:
For non-union employees: Staff will be allowed to “carry-over” up to 10 days (deposited into the PTO overdraft account) which may be used through December 2021, after which time the maximum number of “carry-over” days will be reduced to the standard maximum number of 5.
For union employees: Union employees who, by contract, forfeit vacation time on their 2020 anniversary date (between March 1st-June 30th, 2020) will have until August 31, 2020 to exhaust their prior anniversary year’s vacation time. Union employees who, by contract, forfeit vacation time at the end of a calendar year will have until the end of December 2020 to exhaust their time or the contractual benefit, whichever is better.
Travel Policy
Printable version of our Travel Policy
Revised 8/27/21
DOMESTIC TRAVEL
New York State Department of Health guidance states that all asymptomatic health care workers may return to work after domestic travel without quarantine or testing.
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
The New York State Department of Health guidance states that all vaccinated health care workers and those infected with COVID-19 in the last 90 days may return to work after international travel without quarantine or testing. Partially vaccinated and unvaccinated employees must comply with one of the two options below in order to return to work onsite after international travel:
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Quarantine and self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for 10 days.
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Staff who have supervisor approval to work remotely may do so during their quarantine and will not need to take paid time off.
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Those who cannot work remotely will be required to use PTO or other available leave time for quarantine, unless the travel was work-related.
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Staff must continue daily symptom monitoring through Day 14
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Quarantine for 7 days and obtain SARS CoV-2 PCR Test on Days 3-5 after return from travel
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Take a PCR test on Day 3-5 following return from travel. Staff may not report for onsite work until 7 days after return even with a negative test.
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Staff who have supervisor approval to work remotely may do so during their quarantine and will not need to take paid time off.
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Those who cannot work remotely will be required to use PTO or other available leave time for quarantine, unless the travel was work-related.
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Staff must continue daily symptom monitoring through Day 14
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All results (negative & positive) must be sent to COVID_travel@mountsinai.org. For negative results, staff will receive an email that must be shared with supervisors upon return to work. For positive results, EHS will contact the employee to discuss additional quarantine requirements.
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For international travel, employees should also note:
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All employees planning international travel must notify their manager/supervisor of their travel plans, including destination and total number of days needed, including time for testing or quarantine.
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All employees who are traveling internationally must enter all travel plans into the MSHS Travel Registry before departure. The registry does not replace manager/supervisor approval for PTO. The tool can be accessed both within and outside the MSHS network.
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All employees who are on visas must consult with International Personnel prior to departing the United States.
WORK-RELATED INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
Work-related international travel continues to be strongly discouraged, however it is acknowledged that in some cases there may be compelling, professional reasons for travel. Department Chairs and Institute Directors can approve such travel after considering factors such as vaccination status, rate of vaccination/percent of positive tests in the community being visited, country entry/exit requirements, and the activities the traveler will be engaged in. Most countries require a minimum of 10 days of isolation for anyone testing positive for COVID-19 while some may require two negative tests (can take up to 90 days) before infected people are allowed to leave the country. With this in mind, the traveler will ultimately decide whether he/she chooses to assume the risks associated with international travel at this time. If the traveler tests positive while abroad, he/she will be required to cover all expenses that result from not returning from abroad as initially scheduled. The Office of Global Operations is available to assist in this assessment and can provide travel safety considerations and advice prior to travel.
If work-related international travel is approved, the traveler must register each trip with International SOS, Mount Sinai's emergency medical and security assistance provider. You can contact International SOS (+1 215-942-8226) at any time for travel safety advice or in the event of an emergency using Mount Sinai's membership number (11BYSG000018). Only work-related international travel must be registered with International SOS, NOT personal travel.
Employees at Higher Risk
We have created a safe environment for our healthcare workers to care for patients with COVID-19. Caring for patients with COVID-19 is safe with recommended PPE and appropriate donning and doffing.
Any employee who has concerns that they may be at higher risk for complications from COVID-19 (e.g. pregnancy, immunosuppression) should discuss the availability of a temporary modified assignment with their manager.
If managers have questions on the appropriate modifications for high-risk staff, they should contact EHS at one of the following numbers:
Appropriate Attire during COVID-19 Pandemic
As of March 23, it is now acceptable for any staff or faculty member who will be wearing scrubs during their time at work to wear appropriate casual clothes to and from work. We aim to relax the dress code guidelines as a means of acknowledging the long hours and difficult work situations of our employees. Clothing considered inappropriate for work should not be worn by staff during any time at work.
Sinai Kids
This digital hub will give you the opportunity to (1) offer child care services to those in need; (2) access child care services if you need help caring for your child(ren) and (3) learn about community-based child care/enrichment opportunities that may be available to you. Employees can log onto Sinai Central, Log in > Click on Employee Self Service > Sinai KIDS.
Imagine Early Learning Center
This daycare center is opening its doors for children ages 3 months to 5 years old. If you are interested in being considered for a spot, please complete the enrollment packet. The commitment will be for one week at a time. They will be accepting on an as-needed basis and priority is based on health system needs. For questions please contact Caryn Tiger or Shema Patel.
Wonderschool
Helps match parents in need of childcare with nearby quality in-home programs. Please click here for more information: www.wonderschool.com.
Calm through Tutoring for Your Children
To help Mount Sinai parents, in partnership with the Mount Sinai Parenting Center, the Child Behavioral Health and Science Center, and a team of trained Goldman Sachs volunteer tutors, Mount Sinai Calm is offering the following services to your school children ages 5 to 17 for one hour per week via Zoom:
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Homework help
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Extracurricular enrichment
Please email 4calm@mountsinai.org to learn more.