Update on Face Coverings in the Workplace

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The County is updating its face covering requirements for employees in County facilities to follow revised workplace guidance by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).

Beginning Feb. 16, anyone working in a County facility (unless listed below) who is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 is no longer required to wear a face covering. You’re considered fully vaccinated two weeks after completing the two-dose Moderna or Pfizer series or one dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Please submit proof of vaccination to your Departmental Human Resources Officer or supervisor, if you have not already done so.

With current levels of COVID-19 in the region, face coverings will still be recommended for fully vaccinated employees.

Anyone not fully vaccinated must continue to wear a face covering in accordance with CDPH guidance.  This requirement includes the use of a face covering while in an indoor setting or in a vehicle with others present.

Additionally, under CDPH guidance, some County facilities still require face coverings regardless of vaccination status. These include health care settings, long-term care facilities, detention facilities, cooling centers and child care settings.

For more information on vaccinations, visit coronavirus-sd.com.

Overcoming Our Unconscious Biases

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The D&I Executive Council is excited to share a new online training that focuses on identifying and overcoming our unconscious biases. In it, you will learn how to challenge assumptions, enhance your objectivity, overcome stereotypes and broaden your perspectives. Coming soon to the Learning Management System (LMS). 

Feel the Beat During the Love Your Heart Week of Action

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Love Your Heart logo

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, matters of the heart are front and center of many minds this month. There’s no better time to show your own heart some extra love and get your blood pressure checked than during the County’s Love Your Heart Week of Action from Feb. 12-20.

This year, Human Resources is offering a Lunch and Learn to promote employee wellness and kick off Love Your Heart Week 2022. The Happy Heart Happy Life Lunch and Learn will take place from noon-1 p.m. on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14. Dr. Rafael Silva from Kaiser Permanente will address practical approaches to maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system throughout our lives.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and the second-leading cause of death in San Diego County. In addition, hypertension is the most common underlying condition in people who have died from COVID-19 in our region. A Love Your Heart blood pressure screening is a good way to “know your numbers” and take charge of your own heart health.

Due to the pandemic, there aren’t as many onsite locations offering blood pressure screenings as in years past. Your doctor’s office is a great place to get a blood pressure checkup. In addition, the Love Your Heart website lists all of the locations in San Diego County that offer blood pressure tests during Love Your Heart Week.

See flyer below.

Love Your Heart event flyer

Join ‘Fireside’ Chats with County Leadership

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Ever wanted the inside scoop on our County leadership’s secrets to career success? You’re in luck! The ERG Council’s Fireside Chat series, a quarterly moderated discussion with leaders, launches at lunchtime Tuesday, Feb. 15 from noon to 1 p.m.

These virtual conversations, held in partnership with the County’s DHR Equity Diversity and Inclusion team, will be hosted by an employee resource group and rotate quarterly.

LGBTQ&A ERG is up first. It will launch the series by featuring their two executive advisors: Chief Medical Officer Dr. Eric McDonald and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors Andrew Potter. They’ll discuss the importance of mentorship in their career paths.

The series is designed to be a passive mentorship opportunity. Attendees can look forward to a Q&A period following the topical moderated discussion.

No need to RSVP, just add this Teams link to your calendar. See the flyer below.

ERG Fireside Chat flyer

Know the Code: Speak Up, Listen Up!

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Know the Code logo

Know the Code is a monthly series highlighting different sections of the County of San Diego Code of Ethics.  The mission of the Office of Ethics and Compliance (OEC) is to assist fulfilling the County’s commitment to the highest standards of ethics and compliance. 

By the Office of Ethics and Compliance

The County is committed to excellence and high ethical standards and depends on employees to act with integrity every day – doing the right thing when it comes to their own behavior, being aware of what’s going on around them and being willing to speak up when they have questions or concerns.  

Speaking up is a shared responsibility and each of us has a unique vantage point from which we see the County, its operations and our co-workers. You may be the only one who has identified a problem or who has the opportunity to stop misconduct and prevent negative outcomes.

Please don’t assume that someone else will report it or that the conduct must be okay if it hasn’t been addressed. Speaking up is a shared responsibility.

We all benefit when someone speaks up. Here is a chart letting you know who you can speak with about questions or concerns.

How do I speak up flow chart

How does the hotline work?

When an employee contacts the hotline:

  • A customized web form or professional interview specialist will collect the information and document the situation in detail. Employees may choose to provide their names or remain anonymous.

  • When finished, the employee will be given a reference number and asked to report back to answer any follow-up questions.

  • The information is then relayed to Auditor & Controller and the Multi-Disciplinary Review Committee.  All reports are handled promptly and discreetly.

  • If the report involves an immediate threat to people or property, the County immediately notified so prompt action can be taken.

Does an employee need to fear any type of retaliation for sharing their concerns?

Retaliation of any kind violates our organization’s principles and will not be tolerated.

Remember, when everyone makes a commitment to an ethical culture, we preserve a positive workplace and a strong organization.

Check out the OEC webpage on InSite for information about upcoming Ethics & Compliance Program events, training and resources including monthly “Know the Code” articles and micro-training videos.

OEC logo

If you have questions about Ethics & Compliance training or how to access the training and other Ethics & Compliance resources, please contact the OEC team at oec@sdcounty.ca.gov, 619-531-5174. HHSA staff may also contact the dedicated HHSA Compliance and Privacy team at compliance.hhsa@sdcounty.ca.gov, 619-338-2807.

Introducing InService: Video Profiles of County Employees

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Message from Helen Robbins-Meyer, Chief Administrative Officer

County Team,

In these messages, I’ve often talked about the variety of work we do here at the County. Well, let’s do one better. I want to start showing you.

Today we’re debuting the first in what will be a series of video profiles of County employees. The idea is to feature one person a week. They’ll be short, with each employee sharing a little bit about themselves and what they do.

Keeping with our InSite, InTouch, internal theme, we’re calling the series InService. It also captures the fact that everything you’re doing is in service of our customers.

We’ve gotten feedback before that many of you would like to see what employees in different roles do. Here you go! Our plan is to keep these going through at least the end of the year, giving us a good sampling of the many jobs at the County.

I’m really looking forward to seeing these myself. As I work on big initiatives, strategy, budgets, I know they turn into reality only through the combination of all the individual efforts you’re making. This is an opportunity to highlight a few of those pieces that make up the whole.

And an important note: I know very well you’re all part of teams. Picking one person at a time makes for more relatable storytelling, but these are meant to be in celebration of everyone who makes the County work. Thank you for everything you do.

Let’s get started. Our first profile is from our Public Safety Group. I’ll let her introduce herself.

Enjoy!