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COVID-19 Information for Staff & Volunteers

Last updated: 29 March 2021

STAY INFORMED

The most up to date advice regarding the current outbreak of coronavirus is available at the Australian Government Department of Health (DOH) website. Please follow the DOH advice to keep our community as healthy as possible. Resources (including posters and information around basic facts) developed by the DOH, should be placed in any YMCA customer facing site.

Please wear a mask and wash your hands regularly with soap and water, and remember to sneeze or cough into your elbow. Containing the illness is important to minimise the spread of the virus to those most at risk. 

Please do not come to work if you're unwell and experiencing any symptoms similarly to the cold or flu. Isolate immediately if you do develop symptoms and get a PCR or rapid antigen test as soon as possible.

If you are diagnosed with COVID-19, please notify your Manager immediately and follow Queensland Govermnent instructions as outlined here.

Queensland: 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84)
Australian Government: Coronavirus (COVID-19) health alert

Please click the below link to access updates from the Australian Government in reference to COVID-19:
https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert

YMCA UPDATES

The YMCA leadership team will be providing updates on this webpage, via email and our staff and volunteer Facebook group 'Get wYse!'.

Request to join the closed Facebook group, ‘Get Wyse’, if you are not already a member.
>> GET WYSE FACEBOOK GROUP

CLOSURE OF YMCA-MANAGED FACILITIES

Centre closures, if any, will be updated on https://www.ymcabrisbane.org/coronavirus

IF YOUR WORK HAS BEEN IMPACTED BY COVID-19

The health and wellbeing of our staff and volunteers is still our number one priority and we are looking into ways to support you during these challenging and uncertain times. Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. should you need assistance.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP) SUPPORT FOR ALL STAFF, VOLUNTEERS AND THEIR FAMILIES

Being concerned and anxious about COVID-19 is understandable. It's important you know we are here to support you and your family as you process this event.

You have access to the YMCA’s Employee Assistant Program Provider, AccessEAP, which is a confidential service available 24 hours a day and can contact them on 1800 818 728 or via accesseap.com.au. The website features additional information and tips on coping with the Novel Coronavirus.

INCIDENT MANAGEMENT

Any incident regarding Coronavirus is to be immediately reported via: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and this will be escalated immediately as a critical incident.

Any staff member who is being tested or confirmed positive with the virus please use the above email to inform our COVID-19 Response Team.

Hardship Fund Application
Webinar Poster
Winter Webinar Poster
Community Support List
Staying Safe Poster
Emergency Relief Organisations
Vaccination Statement

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)

Protecting yourself and others:
I am worried that I may have Coronavirus.

Please do not come to work if you're unwell. Staff must act in accordance with the most up to date advice from the Australian Government Department of Health:

If you develop any COVID-19 symptoms, please get a COVID-19 PCR test or rapid antigen test as soon as possible and isolate at home while awaiting results.

As you are no doubt aware, COVID-19 is a contagious respiratory infection that can vary in severity. Most people experience a mild illness with sore throat, cough and fever. However, some people may become more unwell and require hospitalisation. More information on COVID-19 is available on the Queensland Health website www.health.qld.gov.au.

To seek medical help from a doctor or hospital, call ahead of time to book an appointment. If your doctor says you are well enough to go home while you wait for your test results, you should self-quarantine at home and do not attend work or school.

How to determine if my staff or I are required to self-isolate?

If you have any symptoms of COVID-19 at all, you must not attend work for the health and safety of visitors and other staff. Please obtain a COVID PCR test or rapid antigen test and self-isolate until you receive a result.

Close contacts are also required to complete an isolation period. For the full definition of a close contact and for isolation requirements, visit the Queensland Government website.

The staff must notify the YMCA covid-19 support inbox if you are required to isolate via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

What do I do if a staff member, parent or customer advises that they have tested positive for COVID-19 and visited the Y?

Firstly, do not panic. It is likely many people in the community will contract COVID-19 as the cases continue to rise - you simply need to follow YMCA and Queensland Health instructions.

Please notify your Manager of the positive COVID-19 case immediately. Managers must send a notification to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and notify the Group Manager. Managers may inform those present at the centre during the exposure period if appropriate.

Staff and customers must act in accordance with the most up to date advice from the Australian Government Department of Health (DOH).

Persons diagnosed with COVID-19 and their close contacts must self-isolate.

How are we managing hygiene, health and safety at facilities that are open?
We are acting in accordance with the most up to date advice from the Australian Government Department of Health (DOH) in relation to managing hygiene, health and safety.
Does the YMCA have any specific measures in place for older adults?

We will act in accordance with the most up to date advice from the Australian Government Department of Health (DOH). YMCA will not restrict older adults from attending open facilities based on the risk of COVID-19.

General:
What happens with member fees if our Centre has to close?

Membership payments will be automatically be put on hold at any facilities that are closed, or alternative access arrangements will be made at a different facility if possible. There is no need for members to initiate this.

How do I update my emergency contact information?
You can update your personal and emergency contact information within Connx. Instructions are below:

Click here for Connx Portal

Username – Your YMCA Employee Number (This is outlined in your Offer of Appointment)
Password – Your ConnX password
How frequently will information be updated on the YMCA Brisbane website?
As new and accurate information comes to hand it will be updated.
Working from Home:
How will I ensure my home working environment is safe?
Permanent staff who are approved to work from home will receive information including YMCA’s Working from Home Protocols and the Assessment for you to complete on your home working area. If you did not receive the email, please speak to your Manager.
Can I bring my work equipment home?

Please speak to your manager about accessing your normal workplace to collect items or hardware to improve your experience of working from home. 

And ensure you have a safe way to transport equipment - bring a trolley if collecting larger items.

Do not attend your workplace if you are sick.

What if I do not have a safe or comfortable way to work from home, such as lack of space or caring needs?

Please speak to your manager about continuing to work from the office. Certain protocols such as social distancing and mask wearing may be required in the workplace.

You can also talk to your Manager about any issues you are experiencing working from home. It may be possible to reduce or alter the hours of work to accommodate reasonable requirements as agreed between both you and your Manager.

When working from home, can I choose a public place to work like a cafe or library?

No - Working from home means working from the place you live. Your health and safety is our main priority and the purpose of working from home is reduce contact and the risk of spreading COVID-19.

Stand Down and Pay Queries:
What is a Stand Down?
Under the Fair Work Act, there are provisions for employees to be stood down in certain circumstances where they cannot usefully be employed. In the case of COVID-19, YMCA employees may be stood down as the result of a stoppage of work by any cause for which the YMCA cannot reasonably be held responsible.
What are the relevant Stand Down clauses?
The provision for Stand Down is included in the Fair Work Act s.524
Are staff paid through the Stand Down period?
Under the Stand Down clause; section 524 of the Fair Work Act, an employer is not required to make payments to the employee for the stand down period. On this basis, YMCA Brisbane regrets to advise that due to these extraordinary events outside of our control, we are unable to pay employees during the stand down period.

Permanent staff can access their accrued Annual Leave (AL) or Long Service Leave (LSL) through a stand down period. If permanent staff don’t have sufficient leave accrued, they will be required to take Leave Without Pay (LWOP) for the duration of the Stand Down.

Casual staff will be de-rostered during the work stoppage period and will be advised that they will not be scheduled for any casual shifts until further notice. Casual Staff who have been employed for seven (7) years or longer may also be eligible for Long Service Leave. Please refer to the Long Service Leave Section.
When will staff resume work after the Stand Down period?
Staff on Stand Down will not return to work until advised by their Manager. Managers will advise permanent staff of when they will return to work after the Stand Down period. There may not be shifts immediately available for casual staff in some work areas after the closure.
Is my job secure?
Permanent staff will return to their usual roles after the stand down period ends. Casual staff will be rostered as needed. There may not be shifts immediately available for casual staff in some work areas after the closure.
What if I don’t have sufficient Annual Leave or Long Service Leave to cover the duration of the Stand Down period?
If permanent staff don’t have sufficient leave accrued, they will be required to take Leave Without Pay (LWOP) for the duration of the Stand Down. Opportunities may exist to extend leave through extending leave payments over a longer period.
Leave Queries:
How do I find out my Annual Leave or Long Service Leave balance?
Your Annual Leave balance can be found on your payslip in Connx. Payslips will also show Long Service Leave balances if you have been continuously employed for over 10 years.

Click here for Connx Portal

• Username – Your YMCA Employee Number, starting with 3
• Password – Your Connx password Entitlements are further available in Time Target.

Click here for Time Target Portal

• Username – Your Time Target employee Number
• Password – Your Time Target password

Your leave summary is available on your home page, following login.
How do I request to use my Long Service Leave?
You are able to apply for long service leave through the Time Target Portal.

Click here for Time Target

• Username – Your Time Target employee Number
• Password – Your Time Target password

Upon login, Select, Employee > Leave Availability
Can sick or personal leave be taken through the Stand Down period?
Sick or personal leave is not available to be taken through a Stand Down period except where this leave was requested and approved prior to the Stand Down period commenced.
Can parental leave be taken through the Stand Down period?
Approved parental leave can be taken through the Stand Down period.
If my partner needs to self-isolate at home, am I eligible for Carer’s Leave?
If an employee is caring for a partner or dependent who is sick they are able to take their paid personal sick leave as carers leave. Once they run out of personal paid sick leave, they are able to take their annual leave or unpaid leave. . The employee is also required to self-isolate for the required period of time.
How much Carer’s leave can I take to care for a family member?
All full-time and part-time employees are entitled to ten days of paid personal / carer’s leave per year. Depending on individual circumstances, the employee may have further leave accruals available to them.If you require more than (2) days of Carer’s Leave, we request for a Medical Certificate to be provided for the duration of the time required. Casual employees do not receive an entitlement to paid personal / carer’s leave. They are eligible to take unpaid leave.
Employment Options:
Are there alternative employment options for staff on Stand Down?
YMCA has determined that there are currently no alternate employment options within our organisation at this time; however, we have partnered with Coles who are recruiting thousands of casual team members across Australia to support with replenishing shelves, making deliveries and serving customers in their supermarkets. Click here to apply. This link is for YMCA staff only - please direct others who wish to apply to the Coles Career portal. Staff can hold contracts for both YMCA and Coles at the same time.
Is government support available?
Those whose employment is affected by COVID-19 may be eligible to government support and assistance. Please find out more at the Australian Government services website.
Critical and Essential Roles:
How will I know if my role is classified as critical, essential or non-essential?
Your Manager will advise you of the classification of your role, and where your work will be based. Your classification may change through the closure period.
How are critical, essential and non-essential staff determined?
Critical roles are defined as those deemed as critical to provide operational or business support that must continue regardless of the business and operations being closed.

Essential roles are defined as those deemed as essential at this stage for business continuity purposes, despite the operational closedown of the business and or facilities.

Non-essential roles are all roles not classified as critical or essential.
Will critical and essential roles change through a closure?
Critical and essential roles may change during an office closure, and in particular classifications may be influenced by the duration of a closure. This means some roles classified as essential immediately after the closure may become non-essential over time. New essential roles may also emerge. YMCA Management will continually review and determine roles in each category.
Is AccessEAP support still available for all staff, volunteers and their families?
Being concerned and anxious about COVID-19 is understandable. It's important you know we are here to support you and your family as you process this event.

Remember you have access to confidential EAP services 24 hours a day and can call them on 1800 818 728 or via accesseap.com.au. The website features additional information and tips on coping with the Novel Coronavirus.