This page provides information about the coronavirus that is relevant to state employees and the enterprise of state government. The Oregon Health Authority remains the best source for information about coronavirus cases, prevention and outbreak response.
Work arrangements, leave options and other HR issues
Like all Oregonians, state government employees are faced with challenges and uncertainty during this unprecedented public health crisis. To help employees understand their work and leave options in the time of coronavirus, the Chief Human Resources Office has compiled a list of frequently asked questions. Visit the
complete FAQ for helpful information.
State employees are encouraged to keep their eyes open for “phishing” attempts during the coronavirus outbreak. Bad actors take these moments of uncertainty as an opportunity to inundate employees of larger organizations with emails, text messages or even phone calls to gain access to computer networks and files.
Multiple IT news outlets are projecting that these “phishing” attempts are going to increase and may include false or fear-provoking messages about COVID-19 to get buy-in.
Enterprise Information Services encourages all employees to take their time on the most recent Information Security iLearn training (DAS – EIS – 2020 Information Security Training: Foundations) to be vigilant against “phishing” attempts and help maintain our cyber hygiene.
Employees should follow their agencies’ reporting process for suspected phishing emails, as well as forward any suspicious emails to
ReportAPhish@oregon.gov.
Facilities
DAS is taking the following precautions to keep facilities as healthy as possible in light of the COVID 19 virus. DAS asks all employees to help in this effort by following all
public health guidelines around prevention and spread of the disease.
Deep cleaning equipment
DAS has ordered several electrostatic sprayer systems should the need arise for total building deep cleans. Schools and hospitals use these systems and each is capable of cleaning entire buildings in a few hours’ time.
Building wipe downs
DAS has brought on temporary employees to augment cleaning protocols by assisting custodial staff with systematic wipe downs of all high-contact touch points in the buildings (e.g., doors, hand rails, elevators, etc.). Custodial staff will work during the day and use a cleaner approved to kill the coronavirus. Custodial teams will rotate through all buildings in Portland, Salem, Eugene and Pendleton.
Daily fleet rental vehicles
DAS Fleet wipes down returned daily rental cars with a broad-spectrum solution so any vehicle employees rent comes sanitized as a matter of course. However, employees can help by ensuring their hands are washed before getting in state vehicles.
How employees can help
Washing your hands completely and vigilantly is one of the most effective actions you can take to keep yourself and others healthy. Please refer to the World Health Organization’s instructions for proper handwashing
here.
State employees can access many free services, including talking with a licensed, confidential counselor, through Oregon state government’s Employee Assistance Program,
Cascade Centers.
The federal government also offers the
Disaster Distress Helpline, 1-800-985-5990, a 24/7, 365-day-a-year, national hotline dedicated to providing immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. This toll-free, multilingual, and confidential crisis support service is available to all residents in the United States and its territories. Stress, anxiety, and other depression-like symptoms are common reactions after a disaster. Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
Public Employee' Benefit Board (PEBB) resource
If your life has been disrupted by the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, you are not alone. Through PEBB, you have access to programs, tools and resources to help you take on these uncertain and changing times.
Even if you are waiving or opting-out of PEBB insurance plans, many of these resources don’t require you to be enrolled.
You're encouraged to explore the new
COVID-19 Resources page on the PEBB website. PEBB has grouped all our partner resources in one place, so it’s easy for you to review what's available:
- Emotional health resources
- Physical health resources
- Free mobile apps
- Upcoming webinars, and
- Recordings of past webinars.
Public health experts at the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and officials from state agencies have issued guidance and best practices for targeted groups concerning the novel coronavirus in Oregon.