Return to Work Guidance following reduction of pandemic protocols
The Occupational Health and Safety Office has created the following frequently asked questions (FAQs) to help guide you to answers to any question you may have.
We expect healthcare workers to follow current guidelines; do not come into work if you're sick, call the Employee Health Office (ext. 33344) and notify your manager if COVID illness like symptoms arise.
The COVID Hotline is now the OHS Support Line and operates from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.
FAQs
As of April 3, 2023 HCWs are asked to conduct screening for the following five (5) symptoms only:
- cough
- fever
- shortness of breath
- sore throat
- loss of taste/smell
If you feel unwell and have a collection of these symptoms (i.e. 2 or more) and are unsure if you should work, please call the Employee Health for direction.
If you have 1 of these symptoms and work on a unit that is in Outbreak or High Alert, please call the Employee Health for direction.
Effective April 1, 2023, HCWs experiencing symptoms can return to work when:
- Symptoms are resolving and have been improving for 24 hours;
- Healthcare worker has been fever-free for at least 24 hours;
- Healthcare worker has not had gastro-intestinal symptoms for at least 48 hours.
- No testing will be required if these criteria are met.
Note that mild lingering symptoms of cough, mild congestion and/or use of inhalers does not restrict return to work.
Upon returning to work, HCWs must follow workplace self-isolation until 10 days after symptom onset, including:
- Wearing a well-fitted medical mask
- Taking breaks alone
- Not carpooling unless masked while in the car/within six feet walking to and from workplace
COVID-related absences will no longer be automatically excluded from the Attendance Support Program as of April 1, 2023. COVID-19 will be treated the same way as other communicable diseases by OHS and will require a completed Exclusion Request Form, which requires confirmation of illness.
Similar to other absences, managers will complete the 4-day absence notification, when prompted.
HCWs experiencing symptoms should:
- Speak with their manager
- Call Employee Health (Ext. 33344)
If you have any questions please contact Employee Health (Ext. 33344 ) or COVID19@stjoes.ca.
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Yes, you can work with the following work self isolation guidelines:
- Monitor for symptoms for 10 days. If symptoms develop, follow symptomatic guidance and/ call Employee Health (Ext. 33344)
- Wearing a well-fitted medical mask
- Taking breaks alone
- Not carpooling unless masked while in the car/within six feet walking to and from workplace
- Only as directed by IPAC or Employee Health for outbreak or high alert unit management.
- Do not come into work, or go home immediately
- Call Employee Health – ext. 33344
- Tell your manager
- You can return to work if... *please refer to section, "When can I return to work?"
Required as directed by IPAC.
If you have any questions, please contact Occupational Health and Safety or call Employee Health (ext. 33344).