COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) Questions and Answers 13 March 2020

This document is for internal distribution only

When do I use sick leave?When you are unwell you should stay home until you are fit to work. This is the guiding principle in the PSA/DOC collective agreement sick leave section.If you have exhausted your sick leave allocation you may choose to use other leave (i.e. annual, alternative holiday, TOIL, discretionary leave without pay).Discuss your options with your manager.What if I am sick and don’t have any sick leave available?The current standard policy applies - if you are feeling unwell you should stay home. You may use other types of leave available to you in accordance with your employment agreement.When does DOC require a medical certificate?If you have been off work for five days or more.What if I am directed by medical advice to self-isolate and I am fit and able to work?If you are directed to self-isolate due to possible exposure to COVID-19 infection or any other infectious disease/virus, but you are willing and able to work, then you may work from home. Your manager will help you decide what tasks you may be able to do at home. Amazon WorkSpace is available to most staff and managers at DOC, and is a cloud-based secure platform that enables you to access the DOC network including docCM and Outlook.

You can access it from your own PC or laptop when working from home, or from a work laptop. The Amazon Workspace intranet page provides further information, including how to set up and use AWS,. Use the form ISS Request for Service - DOCDM-483081  to request AWS for working from home. Note that in some locations the internet connection is too slow to support AWS. If you require computer equipment to enable you to work from home, you need to discuss with your manager to determine whether this may be facilitated. What if an employee is sent home to self-isolate? DOC may decide to close some offices temporarily due to COVID-19 (Coronavirus). In this case, staff will be expected to work from home if they have work available and appropriate equipment. Staff will continue to be paid during the self-isolation period or while the office is closed. It is possible that staff may be redirected to other locations to work. When can I return to work?If you have been absent for more than 5 days, you should not return to the workplace unless you are well and your doctor has provided a medical clearance. You have an obligation to ensure you do not put your colleagues at risk of an infectious disease.

If exposed or at risk to COVID-19 you should self-isolate for 14 days. This includes if you have visited an offshore country that has been exposed to COVID-19 that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued travel guidance around. See more information from the Safe Travel website. What if a workplace is closed temporarily? You may be required to work from another location, including another office or from home. It is possible you may be asked to support another public service agency to assist with priority service delivery.In this circumstance, options will be discussed with the staff at that workplace.How do I arrange to work from home temporarily?To enable staff to work remotely, including from home, DOC must be satisfied that you have the necessary arrangements in place. If you decide working from home on a temporary basis is an option, this must be discussed and agreed with your manager verbally in order to decide how you will keep in touch and share your work progress. Long term arrangements need to be agreed as per the process set out in the Flexible Work SOP. To work remotely, you need a wi-fi connection, suitable desk set up, and a laptop/PC with access to a remote work technology platform (e.g. Amazon WorkSpace). The Amazon WorkSpace intranet page here has more information. Use the form ISS Request for Service - DOCDM-483081  to request AWS for working from home. Refer also to Flexible Working Arrangement information here.What if there is no work available for me to work from home when the workplace is closed?For some staff there may be no ability to work from home. It is possible that you may be paid special leave on pay as you are ready and able

to work but DOC has closed the office or stopped work due to the risk of infection. In these circumstances you should discuss with your manager.What if I make a personal decision not to expose myself to risk? DOC has an obligation to continue to deliver its responsibilities to the fullest extent possible to meet its legislative requirements and public expectations. Employees have an obligation to attend work unless there is a substantiated reason.DOC has a legislative obligation to ensure you are safe at work and must manage the risk of transmission of an infectious disease in the workplace. You can discuss your personal concerns with your manager to determine whether there is a heightened level of risk for your role (e.g. concern that you may contract an infection even if there are no cases identified in the workplace).You may also choose to take annual leave or other leave or discuss working from home with your manager. What if I am working closely with visitors, for example Visitor Centre staff, Hut Wardens, staff working with volunteers, etc?At the time of writing, there is still only a handful of confirmed cases in New Zealand so the risk is considered low. However, please use best practice guidelines in terms of reducing your risk of infection. You can find the answer to how to protect yourself and others on the Ministry of Health website. Please ensure you follow best practice re hygiene – wash your hands well.The Ministry of Health has a dedicated 0800 number for health advice and information – 0800 358 5453. It is free and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.You can also discuss with your manager if you are feeling uncomfortable working with others.

DOC-6233585 (13 March 2020)

Check the DOC Intranet for the latest COVID-19 updates, including any potential workplace impacts.What if I think I have been exposed?Please ring the Healthline 0800 358 5453 and follow their instructions/advice.Advise your manager that you may need to self-isolate and discuss what work you may be able to do from home and what equipment you may need to support this.What if I am diagnosed as high risk due to personal health conditions?You need to discuss with your medical practitioner to determine the level of risk for you and your family. A medical certificate will be required to self-isolate. Please let your manager know any relevant health conditions that should be considered should the situation escalate.

Should I attend planned hui/meetings?The level of risk will be assessed by the meeting facilitator by considering the information available at the time about the current environment. Many international conferences have been cancelled due to this risk assessment process. Local events are being considered on a case by case basis at this time.What should I do if I have planned domestic or international travel?Follow the all-of-government travel advice available through the Ministry of Health and MFAT websites – the situation can change rapidly at this time. See more information from the Safe Travel website. Be prepared to self isolate overseas or upon your return if the situation changes whilst you change.What if my child is sent home from school to self-isolate?

You need to consider all available options of managing you and your family’s circumstances. If you are the primary caregiver and need to care for a dependant then you have domestic sick leave available or you may choose to use annual leave, TOIL or other leave options available.A medical certificate for the child is required if you are off work for longer than five days. Your household may need to develop a plan to determine how to manage childcare and the potential of working from home or sharing to care for your child(ren) with family. What if my child is sent home as the school is closed? Your household needs to develop a plan in your home to determine how to manage your time and childcare for dependants. Supporting documentation will be required confirming the reason for the school closure.What is the NZ Government workforce guidance re a pandemic?We follow the instructions from State Services Commission.https://ssc.govt.nz/resources/workforce-pandemic-planning-guidance/ Where can I find out more?Your employment agreement provides your leave entitlement information. You can also refer to the intranet. Employment New Zealand Business New Zealand Ministry of Health

DOC-6233585 (13 March 2020)