Employee Screening Policy

Maintaining a strong and healthy workforce is the foundation of our response against COVID-19. Screening for symptoms of COVID-19 is one of several efforts put in place to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 transmission among our workforce, including universal masking, social distancing in the workplace, expanded testing of patients and team members, and appropriate PPE usage.

All UMMS facilities require self-directed symptom monitoring and reporting via attestation for team members reporting to work. Under this policy, all team members are required to confirm, via an attestation, that they are not experiencing any symptoms consistent with COVID-19 when they clock-in for designated shifts or via an alternate method.

Symptoms included in the screening are:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of Breath
• Muscle Aches
• Sore Throat
• New Loss of Taste
• New Loss of Smell
• Congestion or Runny Nose
• Nausea or Vomiting
• Diarrhea

This policy was updated on March 8, 2022, to clarify that screening for symptoms will continue during periods of ongoing community transmission of COVID-19, as outlined in the UMMS Tiered Approach to Infection Prevention, and team members who have a positive screen (indicating that they have one or more of symptoms of COVID-19) should follow their facility’s guidance for COVID-19 testing.     

Click here to view the Employee Screening at UMMS Facilities During COVID-19 Pandemic policy.

FAQs

What happens if I am experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19 when I clock-in for my shift?

Please do not come to work if you are feeling sick or experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19. We care deeply about your well-being and do not want you to jeopardize your health or the health of others. If you confirm that you are experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19, you should contact your manager, follow guidance as outlined in UMMS Guidelines for Management of COVID-19 Employee Exposure, and follow your facility’s guidance for COVID-19 testing. You may also contact Employee Health with any questions.

If I have symptoms or a fever when I arrive at work, will I have to be tested for COVID-19?

If you have a fever or other symptoms, you should not report to work. If these symptoms develop on the way to or while at work, you should return home and take the actions outlined above.

What if I have a history of seasonal allergies and am experiencing symptoms consistent with seasonal allergies?

If a team member has a history of seasonal allergies and is experiencing symptoms consistent with seasonal allergies (e.g., sneezing, nasal congestion, cough related to post-nasal drip without fever), the team member should follow the guidance outlined in the UMMS Guidelines for Management of COVID-19 Employee Exposure under “Management of Seasonal Allergies.”

What guidance should I follow when determining when I can return to work?

You should follow your facility’s testing and return-to-work process, which can be found on your local Insider or by contacting Employee Health. For the most complete information, you can also refer to the UMMS Guidelines for Management of COVID-19 Employee Exposure. This policy helps guide team members on how to confirm their ability to report to work without compromising their own safety or the safety of others, quarantine if necessary, and minimize exposure for others, both at work and at home.

What should I do if I see another team member who appears to be ill?

Concern about team members who appear visibly ill and continue to work should be reported to your supervisor.