If you have not filled out and submitted your mandatory Vaccine Attestation Form. Click here to complete the form. 

All Attestation Forms must be completed by September 1, 2021.

To ensure the safety of all students, faculty, and staff, Essex County College has a vaccine requirement and mask/face covering requirement. All students and employees are required to wear a mask/face covering indoors while on campus unless you have an approved medical exemption. All unvaccinated students and employees are subject to weekly COVID-19 testing (PCR) and are required to provide their weekly test results to the College. Additional information on proof of vaccination will be provided shortly.

If you are a student and are seeking an exemption, please print and complete all portions of the appropriate form and bring it to Enrollment Services. Note that medical exemptions require information from your doctor.

If you are an employee and are seeking an exemption or would like to “opt-out,” please print and complete all portions of the appropriate form and bring it to Human Resources. Note that medical exemptions require information from your doctor.

Please be advised that incomplete forms will not be accepted by the College. Additionally, requests for exemptions MUST BE approved by the College.

STUDENT EXEMPTION FORMS

• Student – COVID-19 Medical Exemption form
• Student – COVID-19 Religious Exemption form
• Mask Exemption form (Students & Employee)

EMPLOYEE EXEMPTION FORMS

• Employee – COVID-19 Medical Exemption form
• Employee Request to OPT-OUT of Vaccination Requirement
• Employee – COVID-19 Religious Exemption form
• Mask Exemption form (Students & Employee)

CORONAVIRUS GUIDELINES FOR EMPLOYEES

UPDATED MARCH 2022

As the College has resumed its operations and in-person instruction for the 2021-2022 academic year, these updated Coronavirus Guidelines for Employees are intended to provide relevant COVID-19 information in connection with the College’s reopening. These guidelines may not cover every possible situation. For circumstances that arise and have not been identified, employees are to contact the Human Resources for guidance.

This updated guidance replaces all prior guidance, wherever and however made, concerning all employees. The College reserves the right to revise and/or modify the below guidelines at any time. These guidelines will remain in effect as the college deems necessary.

SUMMARY:

 All employees are required to report to their on-site work location unless the individual has an approved leave of absence or accommodation from the College.

• Starting March 14, 2022, due to decreasing COVID-19 numbers, ECC will not at this time require a mask/face covering or proof of vaccination for COVID-19. Individuals who would like to wear a mask/face covering may do so. At this time, weekly testing is not required for unvaccinated or partially vaccinated All other COVID-19 protocols remain in place. ECC reserves the right to reinstate measures needed to maintain a safe environment to learn and work.
• All eligible employees are recommended to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Proof of vaccination is encouraged and not mandated by the Employees may upload their vaccination documentation, including requests for exemptions on the ECC Vaccination/Immunization Portal.
• Should an employee need an exemption, complete the appropriate form on the College COVID-19 Information site and forward to Human Resources.
• Should an employee need a leave of absence or an accommodation, notify Human Resources
• COVID-19 related illnesses and exposures and international travel must be reported immediately to the supervisor and Human Resources.
• Refer to the College Restart Plan and COVID-19 Information site for more

WORK EXPECTATIONS

All employees (faculty, adjunct faculty, staff, and work-study students) are expected to report to work to perform assigned duties unless an absence or leave is requested and approved. Employees and supervisors will be expected to accurately record attendance using the Kronos system, Monthly Attendance Report, or timesheet as designated. Any employee anticipating a planned or unplanned absence from work will be required to fully communicate with their supervisor, on or before the first day of absence.

For COVID-19 related absences, employees will be expected to utilize their earned/accrued time (sick, vacation, and/or personal) to cover the absence not worked. If the employee does not have enough earned/accrued time, the absence will be without pay. On the basis of the essential functions of the employee’s position at the College, it is at the discretion of the department, as directed by the Supervisor or Department Head, as to whether an employee can work remotely during their period of absence.

WORK ASSIGNMENTS

In the event of COVID-19 related staffing shortages that disrupt the usual delivery of services, it may become necessary for an employee to receive a temporary or permanent reassignment out of their position title and a change of essential work duties and schedule to ensure continuity of operations. Any questions or concerns may be addressed with Human Resources.

PAYROLL

We continue to encourage employees to use direct deposit. Employees who have not enrolled in direct deposit may contact the Payroll Department for further guidance. Employees should review and update, where required, their residence and contact information with their supervisor and the Human Resources. Contact and residency information can be viewed in Banner Web Services.

CHILDCARE

Childcare is available through the Child Development Center. Refer to the Restart Plan for more information.

COVID-19 RELATED ILLNESS OR EXPOSURE

 COVID-19 Positive or Symptomatic: Employees must not come to work and immediately report to their supervisor and Human Resources if they: (1) are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, or (2) have received a positive diagnosis (with or without symptoms) for the CODIV-19 virus. Employees will be required to quarantine and remain at home, avoid physical contact with employees and students, and not return to work on campus for 5 days from the date symptoms began or tested positive for the virus, or later until symptoms are resolving and fever free for 24 hours. Employees are to submit a negative PCR COVID-19 test result prior to returning to campus and wear a mask for an additional 5 days upon return to work.

COVID-19 Exposure and Not Symptomatic: Employees must immediately report to their supervisor and Human Resources if they have been directly exposed to someone diagnosed with the COVID-19 virus. The requirements to quarantine vary based on the vaccination status of the exposed employee.

• Employees up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations (i.e., have received a booster and the two Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or the one Johnson & Johnson vaccine) and are not experiencing any symptoms, can return to work on campus and not quarantine. However, it is recommended that employees wear a mask for 10 days while at work on campus. It is also recommended that employees get a COVID-19 test after 5 days from exposure.
• Employees unvaccinated or are not up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations (i.e., have not received a booster, and the two Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or one Johnson & Johnson vaccine) are required to quarantine and remain at home, avoid physical contact with employees and students, and not return to work on campus for 5 days. Employees will be required to wear a mask for an additional 5 days upon return to work. It is also recommended that employees get a COVID-19 test after 5 days from

International Travel: All unvaccinated and partially vaccinated students, faculty, and staff who have traveled internationally via plane, bus, train, ship, or another form of public transportation will be required to adhere to the CDC applicable travel isolation and quarantine guidelines. At this time, you are to notify Human Resources immediately of your return from the trip. The College requires that you quarantine for 5 days, submit a negative COVID-19 test result, and a copy of the boarding pass or boarding ticket from the return segment of the trip prior to returning to campus. Please submit proof of the negative COVID-19 test result to the College on the ECC Vaccination/Immunization Portal. For information on the latest CDC guidelines on travel please visit Travel | CDC.

ECC COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS

Starting March 14, 2022, due to decreasing COVID-19 numbers, ECC will not at this time require a mask/face covering or proof of vaccination for COVID-19. Individuals who would like to wear a mask/face covering may do so. At this time, weekly testing is not required for unvaccinated or partially vaccinated employees. All other COVID-19 protocols remain in place.

All eligible employees are recommended to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Proof of vaccination is encouraged and not mandated by the College. Employees may upload their vaccination documentation, including requests for exemptions to the ECC Vaccination/Immunization Portal.

ECC reserves the right to reinstate measures needed to maintain a safe learning and work environment.

REDUCING THE RISK OF COVID-19

All employees are expected to cooperate with the College’s COVID-19 protocols to reduce the transmission of coronavirus in the workplace. It is recommended that all employees wear a mask/face covering, practice good personal hygiene, and keep their workspace clean, including their office, cubicle, and/or assigned equipment. If practicable, employees should avoid sharing phones, desks, offices, tools, or equipment with other employees. All equipment should be cleaned and sanitized regularly. Employees who become sick while at work should alert their supervisor immediately.

Employees are encouraged to take precautions to ensure the safety and well-being of themselves and those around them by following Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.

Refer to the College Restart Plan and COVID-19 Information site for more information.

If you wish to report any unsanitary condition while at work, you may anonymously call the College’s Compliance Reporting Hotline at 1-800-634-3364.