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)

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 1/19/21

Due to updated travel guidelines from the New York State Department of Health, the Mount Sinai Health System has updated the travel policy, effective Jan 12th. Employees must adhere to the MSHS policy, as well as to all state and federal travel guidelines. COVID-19 vaccination status does not exempt employees from adhering to the travel policy.

PERSONAL TRAVEL

All employees planning personal international and domestic travel outside New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut must notify their manager/supervisor of their travel plans, including destination and total number of days needed, including time for testing or quarantine
All employees must enter all personal travel plans outside of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut into the MSHS Travel Registry before departure. This registry is an important tool to keep staff and patients safe. The registry does not replace manager/supervisor approval for PTO. The tool can be accessed both within and outside the MSHS network.
For employees traveling within New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut, there are no testing or quarantine requirements to return to work.
For employees who travel outside of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut for less than 24 hours, there are no testing or quarantine requirements to return to work.
For employees who travel outside of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut for more than 24 hours or to any international destination, you must comply with one of the three options below in order to return to work after travel:
1. Quarantine and self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for 10 days.
  - Staff who have supervisor approval to work remotely may do so during their quarantine and will not need to take paid time off.
  - Those who cannot work remotely will be required to use PTO or other available leave time for quarantine.
  - Staff must continue daily symptom monitoring through Day 14
2. Obtain Two (2) SARS CoV-2 PCR tests
  - Take a PCR test within 24 hours of return from travel. Staff may not report for onsite work while waiting for test results and will be required to use PTO or other leave time during this period. Staff may return to work after receipt of a negative result.
  - Take a second PCR test on Day 4 following return from travel. Asymptomatic staff can work onsite while waiting for test results.
  - 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.
3. Obtain SARS CoV-2 PCR Test on Day 4 after return from travel
  - Take a PCR test on Day 4 following return from travel. Staff may not report for onsite work while waiting for test results and will be required to use PTO or other leave time during this period. Staff may return to work after receipt of a negative result.
  - 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.

WORK-RELATED TRAVEL

Work-related international and domestic travel is permissible only for essential purposes (e.g., annual conferences are unlikely to be essential). In these very limited and specific circumstances, the Department Chair or supervisor must approve the travel.
All employees must enter all work-related travel plans outside of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut into the MSHS Travel Registry before departure.
For employees traveling within New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut, there are no testing or quarantine requirements to return to work.
For employees who travel outside of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut for less than 24 hours, there are no testing or quarantine requirements to return to work.
For employees who travel outside of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut for more than 24 hours, you must comply with one of the three options below in order to return to work after travel:
1. Quarantine and self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for 10 days.
  - Staff who have supervisor approval to work remotely may do so during their quarantine and will not need to take paid time off.
  - Those who cannot work remotely will be required to use PTO or other available leave time for quarantine.
  - Staff must continue daily symptom monitoring through Day 14
2. Obtain Two (2) SARS CoV-2 PCR tests
  - Take a PCR test within 24 hours of return from travel. Staff may not report for onsite work while waiting for test results and will NOT be required to use PTO or other leave time during this period. Staff may return to work after receipt of a negative result.
  - Take a second PCR test on Day 4 following return from travel. Staff can work onsite while waiting for test results.
  - 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.
3. Obtain SARS CoV-2 PCR Test on Day 4 after return from travel
  - Take a PCR test on Day 4 following return from travel. Staff may not report for onsite work while waiting for test results and will NOT be required to use PTO or other leave time during this period. Staff may return to work after receipt of a negative result.
  - 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.

Please note:

Check with your State Department of Health website for specific requirements on quarantine restrictions outside of work.
As a reminder, all positive tests must be immediately sent to COVID_travel@mountsinai.org and your supervisor must be notified.
Individuals returning to New York State must comply with all State travel guidelines, including completing the traveler health form.
A resource guide on travel considerations is available to assist with travel planning can be found here.
For U.S. visa holders who plan to travel internationally, please check with your immigration specialist in International Personnel for updates on any international travel restrictions prior to departing the United States to ensure that your re-entry to the United States will not be hindered.

If you have any questions, please speak with your supervisor or manager.

This policy may be adjusted per Department of Health guidelines.

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:

Corporate
Phone: 646-605-4700
MSH
Phone: 212-824-7690
MSW
Phone: 212-523-8539
MSM
Phone: 212-523-1754
MSQ
Phone: 718-808-7725
MSB/NYEE and MSBI
Phone: 212-420-2885 opt#3

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

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:

Homework help
Extracurricular enrichment

Please email 4calm@mountsinai.org to learn more.

Specialist

Primary Care Physician