Memo to Employees: OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard on COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing

Date: December 21, 2021
To: All Idaho Youth Ranch Employees
From: Steve Robertson, Chief People Officer
RE: OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard on COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing
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Late Friday, December 17th, a three-judge panel of the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard on COVID -19 Vaccination and Testing (“ETS”) by lifting the stay that had suspended its enforcement. We expect further legal activity on the ETS, including possible action by the U.S. Supreme Court. In the meantime, we are required to comply with the ETS so long as it is in effect, and we appreciate everyone’s cooperation as we navigate this new territory together.

Here is a reminder of what’s required under the ETS and Idaho Youth Ranch’s new Policy # 1004.

Masking requirements:

• Unvaccinated employees must wear a mask indoors at all times, except as follows:
  1. When an employee is alone in a room with floor to ceiling walls and a closed door;
  2. For a limited time, while an employee is eating or drinking (maintain a distance of six feet); or
  3. If an Executive Leadership Team member determines that the use of masks is infeasible or creates a greater hazard; currently, the only approved exception is for therapists if they determine that wearing a mask will significantly interfere with the effectiveness of their work with a client and they maintain at least six feet of distance from the client.
• Masks must fully cover the mouth and nose and fit snugly over the nose, mouth, and chin.
• Masks must be made with two or more layers of a breathable fabric that is tightly woven.
• Masks may not have slits, exhalation valves, visible holes, punctures, or any other openings.

Submit your vaccine record: If you have not submitted a record of your COVID vaccination to HR please scan it to HR@youthranch.org now. Employees who complete their primary vaccination (booster not required) and submit their vaccine card to HR by December 31, 2021 will receive $150 if they did not receive the prior vaccine incentive and are employed by Idaho Youth Ranch on January 14, 2022.

Weekly COVID testing: Under the ETS, unvaccinated employees will be required to submit to weekly COVID testing. The original start date for weekly testing was January 4, 2022, but this date has been extended by OSHA. Idaho Youth Ranch is in the process of determining how the testing process will be implemented. We hope to have further information to share by the middle of January 2022.

Accommodation requests: Because Idaho Youth Ranch allows the weekly testing option for unvaccinated employees, there is no need to request an accommodation from the vaccine. To request an accommodation from the masking or weekly testing requirement please follow the process detailed in Policy 1004, COVID 19 Vaccination, Testing, and Face Covering Policy.

Paid time off for vaccine and recovery: Idaho Youth Ranch is offering additional paid time off to get the vaccine or recover from its effects. This is in addition to our standard paid leave. Contact your supervisor or HR for further details.

If you have any questions, please let me know or email HR@youthranch.org.

Thank you,

Steve Robertson
Chief People Officer