HR Information
Human Resources answers your frequently asked questions and addresses new policies and guidelines implemented in response to COVID-19.
GNYHA COVID-19 Update: Executive Order Identifies "Essential Health Care Operations" (PDF)
HR Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the commonly asked HR questions in relation to COVID-19.
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
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Given the prevalence of COVID-19, we are implementing some revisions to PTO policies designed to ensure that we have adequate staffing during this crisis. We are working on guidance for managers and supervisors and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding.
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As always, all PTO requires pre-approval by the manager/supervisor.
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PTO that was approved before March 11, 2020 should be reviewed with the manager/supervisor again to confirm that the planned PTO is acceptable given the COVID 19 emergency circumstances.
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Even if approval is given for PTO, and because we anticipate that circumstances may change rapidly, all PTO must be re-reviewed and approved again with the manager/supervisor 48 hours in advance of the commencement of the PTO.
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Timing
This policy is effective for PTO that is scheduled to take place before May 31. But, we will re-assess on an ongoing basis. -
Important Information on Assistance with Policy Related Cancellations
We understand that there may be a cost to cancelling personal travel under this revised PTO policy. We appreciate staff are cancelling already scheduled personal travel are doing so for the benefit of the institution. For travel purchased before March 11, we will make an effort to reimburse staff for reasonable costs that they are unable to recoup or defer. After the employee makes a diligent effort to recoup or recover their costs or defer their trip, they may submit for reimbursement consideration with documentation of the costs and the efforts at recoupment to ryan.keneally@mountsinai.org.
Travel Policy
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As COVID-19 continues to spread around the world and throughout our nation, it is important that we keep our faculty, trainees, employees, and their families stay safe. Given the critically important role the Mount Sinai Health System will play in addressing the crisis, we need to ensure that we have adequate staff. In addition, for those staff members who travel, there is the added concern that the staff member might be detained or quarantined as a result of the travel and not be able to return. For that reason we are implementing new travel policies. We are working on guidance for managers and supervisors and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding.
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Travel Restrictions:
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All WORK-RELATED international and domestic travel is prohibited. In limited and specific circumstances, managers/supervisors may allow exceptions to this policy.
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All PERSONAL international and domestic travel –that is travel outside of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut – requires notification of the manager/supervisor. All PTO, regardless of whether travel is involved or not, is subject to the revised PTO policy.
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In order to ensure adequate staffing in this emergency, managers will require that all personnel, who are essential to the delivery of care, not travel.
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Timing:
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This policy is effective for travel that is scheduled to take place before May 31. But, we will re-assess on an ongoing basis.
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Important Information on Assistance with Policy Related Cancellations
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Work related travel: If you made work-related travelarrangements through Amex Global, you can get help canceling or rescheduling at 669-272-1447. If any additional costs outside Amex Global, that aren’t waived or reimbursed, you should submit through the normal travel voucher process for reimbursement with documentation.hould submit through the normal travel voucher process for reimbursement with documentation.
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Personal Travel: We understand that there may be a cost to cancelling personal travel under this policy. We appreciate staff are cancelling already scheduled personal travel are doing so for the benefit of the institution. For travel purchased before March 11, we will make an effort to reimburse staff for reasonable costs that they are unable to recoup or defer. After the employee makes a diligent effort to recoup or recover their costs or defer their trip, they may submit for reimbursement consideraTravel: We understand that there may be a cost to cancelling personal travel under this policy. We appreciate staff are cancelling already scheduled personal travel are doing so for the benefit of the institution. For travel purchased before March 11, we will make an effort to reimburse staff for reasonable costs that they are unable to recoup or defer. After the employee makes a diligent effort to recoup or recover their costs or defer their trip, they may submit for reimbursement consideration with documentation of the costs and the efforts at recoupment to ryan.keneally@mountsinai.org.
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Specific Guidance Regarding Personal Travel and Returning to Work
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On March 15, 2020 NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) issued directions on how to manage and monitor all ASYMPTOMATIC healthcare workers and employees for COVID-19, regardless of exposure in the community or healthcare setting.
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As such, we have lifted Mount Sinai’s self-quarantine rules regarding travel. If you have recently traveled, and do not have mandated quarantine restrictions, and have no symptoms of COVID-19, then you are able to return to work or school.
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Healthcare workers / employees who do not have any of COVID-19 symptoms should report to work, regardless of known COVID-19 exposure, unless they have been instructed by their supervisor/ manager to work from home.
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DOHMH has asked that ALL healthcare workers and employees self-monitor by taking their temperature twice daily and assessing for COVID-19 like illness.
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:
Hotel Accommodations for Mount Sinai Employees
We are privileged to offer our front line providers housing accommodations in blocks up to 25 nights at various hotels throughout Manhattan.
COVID-19 Hotel Accommodation Request Form
Hospital Employee GNYHA/OEM Hotel Program Form (for employees who are COVID-Positive or a Patient Under Investigation)
BMCF and Airbnb Open Homes for First Responders
For the month of April, Bone Marrow & Cancer Foundation and Airbnb Open Homes are partnering to help provide free short-term accommodations of up to two weeks for Mount Sinai employees responding to the COVID-19 crisis. Employees can apply via the BMCF First Responder Form and must be confirmed by a hospital administrator. More details can be found on Bone Marrow & Cancer Foundation's website.
Free Housing Accommodations for Mount Sinai Employees - Blueground Apartments
Fully furnished apartments have been donated to Mount Sinai by Blueground, a Corporate Housing provider. These apartments are available for staff use with a minimum stay of 30 days starting from April 15, 2020. Access to this free accommodation is for 2-months ending approximately June 14, 2020.
To access one of the apartments, staff should contact Mara Goeckner, Account Executive via email at marag@theblueground.com or mobile phone at 917-259-1224 and provide their name, e-mail address, phone number and a copy of their work identification card. Mara will respond with instructions on how to access the apartment and the rules of occupancy.
The locations indicated on the list of fully furnished apartments are nearby Mount Sinai Beth Israel, Mount Sinai Morningside, and Mount Sinai West.
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
NEW Summer Language Program for Teens
Register your teenage child now for this free 10-session beginner Japanese language program that starts June 1. Children in high school, ages 15 and older, will enjoy learning Japanese through the popular and fun cartoon format of anime – attendance at each session is encouraged, but no experience is needed. Offered to Mount Sinai Health System frontline workers by the Japan Society Language Center, this program take place via Zoom on 10 Mondays from 4 to 5:30 pm, starting June 1. Learn more and register now.
If you have questions about this or other resources and services for your children, please reach out to 4calm@mountsinai.org.
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.
NYC Department of Education has opened Regional Enrichment Centers
Open to children whose parents or guardians are in essential fields, including health care and emergency services. Children who are enrolled can attend anytime during open hours 7:30 am to 6 pm, Monday-Friday. You can enroll your children by clicking here.
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.