Download the latest COVID-19 Chief Executive Update for your noticeboards here.
Message from the Chief Executive
As the stages of the COVID-19 pandemic have changed and evolved, safety has been at the forefront of everyone’s mind.
This has included the safety of our workplaces, of our community and our people. Safety is both physical and psychological, and we have worked to ensure we provide expert advice, training and resources to support your overall health and wellbeing.
Rhonda Stuart (Medical Director, Infection Prevention & Epidemiology) has regularly reminded us of the importance of basic infection prevention measures, such as hand hygiene, physical distancing, limiting face-to-face meetings, environmental cleaning (including your mobile phone) and correct wearing of PPE. Basic as these techniques are, we must continue to practice them.
At yesterday’s Employee Forum, Melissa Casey (Director of Psychology, Clinical Operations Director) discussed typical psychological responses to the pandemic; tips for self-care and connecting with others; how to manage your psychological and physical safety in the workplace; and identifying mental health distress. Melissa’s presentation is available here.
Again, I want to remind you of the importance of not attending work if you are unwell. If you have symptoms consistent with COVID-19, it is important that you are tested and self-isolate. This approach is the same for us all, whether you attended the rally in Melbourne or not. Otherwise, if you are well, we expect you at work as part of our team as we continue to provide care to our community.
At some point in the future, government will amend the public order regarding working from home. In anticipation, we will run a session on ‘Returning to Work Safely’ at the Manager Forum on Wednesday 24 June 2020, and will soon distribute ‘Returning to Work’ guides for managers and team members.
As always, I welcome your thoughts and input. Please take five minutes to let us know what you think, through this short employee survey. The results will help us understand how well the initiatives we have put in place are working, whether you are feeling supported and safe, whether our communication has been timely, and where further effort is needed.
Thank you once again for your skill, hard work and dedication. If you haven’t had the opportunity to enjoy the ‘Our time to shine’ video, I encourage you to do so, and reflect on our remarkable achievements so far.
Andrew Stripp
Chief Executive
Key messages
‘Our time to shine’ – acknowledging your work during COVID-19
Take a moment to acknowledge the vital role you have all played in maintaining excellent patient care during these challenging times. Watch the ‘Our time to shine’ video here.
Completing your mandatory and targeted training
Completing your mandatory and targeted training is now easier than ever. Now, when you log in to LATTE, the targeted training packages (as well as the mandatory packages) you are required to complete will be automatically assigned to you. Read more here.
Setting up an SMS passcode to access HR21/Employee Self Service from home or off-site
To ensure employees working from home have safe and secure access to HR 21/Employee Self Service, Monash Health will be implementing two-factor authentication from Wednesday 17 June, 8.00pm. Read more here.
Take five minutes and tell us how you’re feeling
Ensuring you feel supported is the driver behind this short employee survey. You are invited to take five minutes to share your thoughts on the effectiveness of initiatives implemented in recent weeks, whether you are feeling supported and safe, whether the communication has been timely, and more. Tell us what you think here.
Car parking refund update
If you have been working at home during COVID-19, you will be able to apply for a reimbursement of car parking deductions made for this period, when you return to working onsite permanently. Read more here.
Stay home if you are unwell
If you are unwell, do not come to work. This will help keep you, your colleagues, our patients, consumers and community safe. If you are feeling unwell, experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, you must get tested, or if you are worried about potential contact with someone who has been exposed to COVID-19, contact the Monash Health Employee Hotline (03) 959 45815, 7am to 4pm – 7 days a week. Read more here.
Higher risk employees returning to work
Many employees will be returning to their work premises in the coming weeks. For those who wish to continue in their role/area, despite being determined to be at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19 and working in high-risk areas and/or patient-facing roles, you must download and complete the Acknowledgement of employer advice form and email it to COVID19employeeenquiries@monashhealth.org prior to your return. Read more here.
Vaccination or declaration is mandatory
The annual influenza vaccination is the most effective way to prevent infection, and vaccination or declaration by all Monash Health employees is mandatory. More than 85% of employees have done so to date. Read more here, including Q & A from last week’s Employee Forum.
Achieving 100% PPE training in 2020
We are within striking distance of achieving our goal of 100% of patient-facing employees completing their Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) training by 1 July. Face-to-face training sessions are being held daily at 2pm at Clayton, Dandenong, Casey, Kingston and Moorabbin. Read more here.
Remember to take care of yourself
Please continue to prioritise your health and wellbeing. There are resources available to you on the Monash Health employee website that are specifically tailored to our teams.
Ensure you are working to the most up-to-date advice
The information about COVID-19 is changing rapidly. Ensure you are working to the most up-to-date advice by referring to the Monash Health Employee Coronavirus website. To make accessing the site quicker, you can create a shortcut on your smartphone by following these instructions.
All managers are requested to share these updates with their teams and discuss at stand-ups and handovers. Please print a copy and display it in communication books and on employee noticeboards.
As advice and information evolve, please consult the latest updates and visit the Department of Health and Human Services and Monash Health COVID-19 website for employees regularly for the latest.