Please continue to visit this site regularly as it is the official source of information, updates and communications from Techo-Bloc to its employees regarding COVID-19.
Topics:
Guidelines
FAQ's
Employees support
Guidelines
What are the symptoms this coronavirus causes?
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are:
Other possible symptoms include:
What kind of precautions should I be taking?
The best preventative measures to take are the same as with the common cold or the flu:
FAQ's
What is the definition of close contact?
What should I do if I have tested positive?
Employee with symptoms related to the virus
Employee with a child that must stay home
Employee taking care of an infected family member
If a co-worker tests positive for Covid-19
When should I return to work and what is the procedure?
How is Techo-Bloc managing the situation?
Are we required to wear masks at work?
Do we stock hand sanitizer at each site?
What sort of cleaning standards and frequency do we have in our offices and facilities?
What should I do if I feel that I might be infected or I have been in closed contact with someone infected?
If you have been in close contact with someone who tested positive or if you are symptomatic, you should call either your primary health care provider or local Covid hotline to be seek out medial advice and determine if testing is required. Below is a list of hotlines you can call.
What is the definition of close contact?
To have been in close (less than 6 feet) and prolonged (more than 10 - 15 minutes) contact with a person.
What should I do if I have tested positive?
You must inform your supervisor and Human Resources representative as soon as possible and follow the instructions given by the appropriate health professionals. You will be asked to provide us with the following information:
Employee with symptoms related to the virus
Employees with symptoms should speak with their manager and refrain from coming into work. Employees should seek to get tested and follow return to work guidelines.
Otherwise, the employee should follow provincial/state directives; teleworking whenever it is possible and approved by the manager.
All employees placed in mandatory preventative isolation and cannot continue their work assignments may use their available sick days or vacation days.
Employee with a child that must stay home
Employees may work from home if it is possible and approved by the manager or take the opportunity to use their remaining sick days or vacation days.
Employee taking care of an infected family member
You must follow provincial/state directives; teleworking whenever possible.
Employees placed in mandatory preventative isolation will have the opportunity to use their sick days or vacation days if applicable.
For prolonged absences, employees may make a claim for government benefits (see Government support for employees with Covid-19)
If a co-worker tests positive for Covid-19
In the event that an employee tests positive for Covid-19, Techo-Bloc will inquire if there were any employees in close contract with this employee. Should this be the case, those employees will be informed that they were in contact with an employee who tested positive and would be encouraged to go get tested.
When should I return to work and what is the procedure?
All employees who have missed work due to illness with symptoms related to COVID-19 should keep their manager/supervisor advised of the situation and their anticipated return date. If you have questions about returning to work, please contact your Manager or local HR representative.
How is Techo-Bloc managing the situation?
A Pandemic Recovery Committee has been established and is regularly monitoring the situation across all the regions where we operate.
Are we required to wear masks at work?
Masks are still an effective means of protecting your coworkers and our visitors from spreading the virus.
Office employees have the requirement to wear your mask when they are away from their desks and during interactions that do not respect the distance of 2 meters.
All other employees are required to wear their masks when they cannot socially distance themselves.
Do we stock hand sanitizer at each site?
Yes. Each facility stocks sanitizer. Should there ever be a shortage, regularly washing your hands is an equally effective method of reducing the risk of transmission.
What sort of cleaning standards and frequency do we have in our offices and facilities?
All Techo-Bloc sites have cleaning crews that ensure our offices and workspaces meet our standards of cleanliness. Deep cleaning in all offices and common areas is done either on a nightly or weekly basis depending on the size of the space to clean.
Our collective focus should be to keep common areas clean and tidy as the areas are used. Common areas are defined as conference rooms, break rooms, restrooms, print stations, high traffic walkways, and reception areas among others.
We are providing cleaning and sanitizing material in common areas to ensure that employees are equipped to help in keeping these areas clean.
What is a COVID-19?
COVID-19 is part of the Coronaviruses family of viruses that are primarily transmitted by aerosolized droplets (e.g. the droplets you release when you cough or sneeze. These droplets can travel over 2 meters if you don’t cover your mouth and nose effectively!), much like the flu or a cold. It may also be transmitted via fecal matter (even very small/invisible amounts). The virus can survive for some amount of time outside the human body, although the specific parameters are not yet known, so transmission can occur by touching a surface contaminated with the virus and then touching your eyes/nose/mouth. The COVID-19 virus has 2 to 14-day incubation period.
Employees support
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider, Workplace Options, offers 24/7 confidential support including counseling, information, guidance and referrals on any work, personal or family issue can help keep people to be more resilient. If you are experiencing stress or having difficulty, you can contact one of their qualified consultants. They are there to support all our employees and their family members at no charge.
Contact
You can reach Workplace Options by toll free phone (877) 847-4525, SMS Texting at (647) 624-2840.
We also invite you to click on the Workplace Options Link using the Company Code “techbloc” to get more information on how to get support.
Government support for employees with Covid-19
USA
Effective April 1st, 2020, the United States passed the Families First Corona Virus Response Act (FFCRA) that provides payment to employees who are experiencing lost wages due to specific COVID19 related work absences. For more information on the act click here. If you believe this leave may apply to you, please contact your local Human Resources Representative.
Canada
Employees in Canada can make their claims for Employment Insurance (EI).See COVID 19 benefits and services.
Travel
Are we banning business travel?
All travel by air and travel between facilities has been significantly limited. All employees have been instructed to avoid large group settings in confined areas. This includes attending industry related events, dealer open houses and customer appreciation days. Any exception requires approval from the President.
What is the guidance on overnight travel / business travel?
See guidelines attached.
What should I do if I am returning from a vacation abroad or planning travel?
Any employee that has traveled by air may have been exposed to the COVID-19 virus and should immediately notify their manager. They should work from home if available for a 14-day period, to avoid potentially spreading the infection to others.
All personal travel by air must be reported prior to departure (mandatory disclosure of all travel and destinations to the manager) and prior to return to work (travel questionnaire to be completed and forwarded to the manager for analysis by human resources).
Sources
Centre for Disease Control (CDC) Prevention Guidelines
Public Health Agency of Canada