Campus Report

COVID-19 Update from HR: March 19

Office of Communications
March 19, 2020

Dear Kenyon College faculty and staff,

Health plan changes
As you know, the second phase of changes to Kenyon’s health plans were slated to go into effect on July 1, 2020. We have decided to delay some of those changes in order to ease the burden on our employees during this challenging time. We will reduce health insurance premiums and expand some benefits as planned, but we will delay planned increases to out-of-pocket expenses. This is one way we can help during the upcoming year. 

Changes that WILL go into effect in 2020–21
5 percent decrease to health insurance premiums
Addition of vision plan
Addition of Teledoc services (with an accelerated start of May 1, 2020)

Changes that will be DELAYED until 2021-22 
Increase in out-of-pocket expenses
Addition of HDHP/HSA
Addition of Plan Advisor service

The open enrollment period is now May 1 to June 1, 2020. You need to submit paperwork to Human Resources only if you wish to change your current plan or add the vision plan. Teledoc services will be available to all employees currently enrolled on Kenyon’s medical plan effective May 1, 2020. 

COVID-19-related leave
Benefits-eligible employees will be eligible for up to two weeks of paid leave for COVID-19-related absences before being required to use sick, personal or family leave (SPF) and/or vacation. Please review this chart (PDF) for details.

Protocols
If you are experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness, or if a member of your household is symptomatic, you should not report to work. Instead, take steps to isolate yourself and call a physician for instructions about further actions to take. You should also call or email your supervisor to let them know of your situation, and to discuss options for teleworking or taking a COVID-19-related leave (PDF). Supervisors need not take further action; tracking and reporting of COVID-19 is handled by the health department.

Daily temperature checks
Based on recommendations issued today by Governor DeWine, we encourage all employees who are not teleworking to take their temperature prior to arriving at work. Anyone with a temperature of 100.4 or higher should self-quarantine with members of their household and call a physician for further instructions. At this time, this is guidance from the governor, and not required, but the College is working on options for employees who do not have home thermometers, including distributing them to maintenance and dining services as well as Campus Safety, starting Monday, March 23. 

Questions? Please contact the Office of Human Resources at HR@kenyon.edu or visit our COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions.


Read more about Kenyon's response to COVID-19

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