Attention SSA Workers: Important COVID-19 Update

Dear OCEA Member,

Over these past few weeks, many of you have expressed concerns with insufficient social distancing and personal protective equipment at your worksites. Your coworkers and OCEA Stewards report that managers are resisting alternatives to in-person meetings/visits for non-imminent cases that reduce exposure to the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Standing together, we are demanding resolution to these issues at every management level all the way to the Board of Supervisors. Here is an update:

Telecommuting

• SSA published guidelines in answer to your concerns regarding inconsistently applied COVID-19 policies and practices by management;
• There is finally a written process authorizing telecommuting requests, which greatly reduces confusion caused by the inconsistent authorization approaches employed by managers.

Personal Protective Equipment

• PPE is being provided at all SSA worksites;
• N-95 masks will be distributed to priority worker classifications, including Social Workers.

Alternatives to In-person Meetings/Visits for Non-imminent Threats

Although you and your coworkers have made viable suggestions for providing high-level care while practicing social distancing, management is still requiring you to enter homes as if we were still pre-COVID-19. We will keep fighting shoulder-to-shoulder with you to demand the protections you and your families deserve.  Even in the midst of a pandemic, you continue to protect our community’s most vulnerable populations and provide help to those in need. You and your fellow OCEA members are making our County proud.   

Be sure to Stay Connected and receive Social Worker updates by sending a text to 43506 and enter the word socialworkers.  

IMPORTANT REMINDER:  As social distancing remains in effect, our regularly scheduled CFS Caseload Forum (April 14) is cancelled.

In Solidarity,

Bridgette Harris
OCEA Operations Manager

Publication Date: April 14, 2020