Employee Resources

The CDC recommends the use of cloth face coverings (“masks”) in public and at institutions of higher education, in particular, to slow the spread of the virus and help persons who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others.

Employees are required to wear masks upon entry to the worksite. Employees who do not wear masks will not be allowed to work or remain at work.

Non-compliance may subject an employee to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

View C.2.1.9 (Procedure) Use of Face Coverings/Social Distancing at College District Sites Policy >

The Alamo Colleges District (ACD) is limiting building access to essential employees only. Employees need supervisor permission prior to arrival to be at any ACD location.

DPS Dispatch has a list of essential employees; supervisors know how to update the list with DPS. Employees without proper ACD ID must wait for a uniformed officer to verify ID by a TX driver’s license or other government ID. Employees with keys to exterior doors must NOT use them and are to follow this protocol.

Beginning Monday, July 13, employees who are returning to an on-site location for the fall semester will be able to submit a Covid-19 Remote Work Request.

The CDC has identified certain health conditions that may represent a higher risk for COVID-19 infection. Those conditions along with those identified by the Families First Coronavirus Protection Act and the ADA have been adopted by Alamo Colleges to guide employees in submitting a request to continue to work remotely for safety reasons instead of returning to campus.

The Covid-19 Remote Work Request Portal with full instructions will be sent to all employees from the Human Resources team.

Deer Oaks Employee Assistance Program Is Here To Help

The Deer Oaks Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a resource program available to help employees through stressful situations and events. If you need help managing your stress and anxiety during these uncertain times or just someone to talk to, Deer Oaks, your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) can help!

Deer Oaks EAP is available to all full-time staff and faculty year-round to provide free and confidential assessments, counseling, and educational resources.

Effective immediately, part-time faculty and staff, including work-study student employees, will have access to Deer Oaks services until August 31, 2020.

If you or a family member are struggling with stress or anxiety, or just want some practical advice on health or the mind-body connection, contact Deer Oaks by calling 866-327-2400.

Alamo Colleges will provide full-time staff, faculty and adjuncts with a monthly telecommunication allowance of $60 for cellular and internet service.

Eligible part-time employees will receive a monthly telecommunication allowance of $30. The allowance will remain in place for the duration of the current remote working and teaching environment.

The allowance will be paid once a month as part of your paycheck on the 15th of each month. The first installment of the allowance will be paid on your April 15 check.

If you have challenges related to equipment or internet access, please contact your supervisor for assistance.

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) is a new law designed to provide relief to those affected by COVID-19. The law has two key parts: Emergency Paid Sick Leave and Emergency Family and Medical Leave Act Expansion. The FFRCA is available to eligible full-time and part-time employees at the Alamo Colleges District. Please read the information below to see what benefits are available to you.

• Emergency Paid Sick Leave
  
  Eligible Full-time and Part-time employees will receive up to two-weeks of fully paid leave if unable to work as a result of a quarantine, seeking a diagnosis related to COVID-19, having to care for a child whose school or childcare provider has been closed because of COVID-19, or they have to care for another individual who is subject to quarantine/isolation due to COVID-19.

• Emergency Family and Medical Leave Act
  
  Eligible Full-time and Part-time employees will receive up to 10 weeks of paid leave at two-thirds their normal pay rate if necessary due to having to care for a child whose school or childcare provider has been closed because of COVID-19. Only employees who have been employed at the Alamo Colleges District for at least 30 days qualify for these additional 10 weeks.

If you need to take Emergency Paid Sick Leave or Emergency Family and Medical Leave, contact your Benefits Coordinator.

Families First Coronavirus Response Act Questions & Answers

To support our Alamo Colleges family through this crisis, the Alamo Colleges District has established a COVID-19 Family Helping Families Emergency Relief Fund to provide emergency funds for our employees who are in need of assistance.

More information on the Emergency Relief Fund, an application and a donation form can be found in the links below.

We have had a lot of ups and downs in the last few months. Such change and uncertainty can create stress and, as a result, we may suffer more headaches, have trouble sleeping and struggle with depression. However, if you take steps to stay healthy, you’ll be better equipped to manage stress.

Try these tips for coping with stress: 

• Eat well. When you eat healthy foods, you get the nutrition and energy you need to feel good physically, which can help you feel good mentally and emotionally.
• Get adequate sleep. When at rest, your brain helps you process new experiences and challenges.
• Relax through movement. Since change and stress go hand in hand, practice relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga, progressive muscle relaxation, nature walking or other stress-reducing tactics.