Update for March 30

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Message from Helen Robbins-Meyer, Chief Administrative Officer

A large part of our workforce is now teleworking, both to practice social distancing and to accommodate the family care needs brought on by the various closures.

For some of you performing essential work, telework is not possible. If you wind up sick or have family care needs of some kind, the County is offering new forms of leave as a result of the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act. These are temporary, starting April 1 and running through the end of the year. Here are more details. The info is also posted on InSite.

We realize the shutdown orders are creating enormous challenges for many families. I greatly appreciate everyone’s flexibility. We are committed to working with all of you to help you through this time while still meeting our customers’ needs as best we can.

As always, stay well and take care of yourselves!

Update for March 27

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Message from Helen Robbins-Meyer, Chief Administrative Officer

Our first full week working under our new normal is coming to a close. Many of our colleagues will continue the County’s COVID-19 response through the weekend, but for the bulk of employees, it’s time to recharge.

Our work has undergone a radical transformation, and with the stay-home order, weekends for a lot of folks are going to be different as well. It will take the same creativity and flexibility we’ve shown on the job, but with the right mindset, the time off can still be fulfilling and relaxing.

We have some resources we’re sharing with the public that I want to share with you, too. Like the rest of us, our Live Well San Diego team has quickly reshaped its approach to meet the current circumstances. Today they launched Live Well @ Home, a collection of suggested activities broken down by different age groups. There are physical exercises, a variety of online classes, mindfulness techniques and more. The tips and strategies keep us moving, even in this environment, toward the vision of healthy, safe and thriving.

Experts have stressed over and over that social distancing doesn’t mean socially disconnected. In fact, it’s more important than ever that you make an effort to reach out to others. The weekend is great for a long call or FaceTime with someone. It’s good for you and those you contact, who may also be feeling isolated. 

We’re still at the outset of this difficult period. Our best chance at shortening the time we need to do this is for everyone to rigorously follow the restrictions in place. I know it’s really hard. But at the moment, it’s how we’ll best realize our commitment to serving the public good.

Thank you for all your work. Continue to take care of yourselves and look out for each other.

Friday Photo: Rainbow Over the EOC

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A full rainbow arched over the Emergency Operations Center in Kearny Mesa on Thursday morning. The rainbow appeared just as employees were reporting for their shift.

Share your fabulous photos! If you see a coworker getting the job done, a beautiful sunset over your office or wonderful County program being offered—snap a pic and submit it. Be sure to include information about the photo and your name. One image will be posted to InSite every Friday.

See the Friday Photo gallery.

Update for March 25

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Message from Helen Robbins-Meyer, Chief Administrative Officer

Thank you for your continued efforts under difficult conditions to provide the best service we can for our customers. Your lives and work routines have been upended. It’s understandable to ask, “Is all this necessary?”

Yes, it is. I really recommend watching this video that explains why. It’s a few minutes, but it lays out in simple terms why it’s essential that we do everything we’re doing.

Most of us may not be in the role of our County and community’s amazing health care workers, but we can all absolutely play a part in fighting this virus.

Thanks for your cooperation, your flexibility, your dedication, your patience. 

Update for March 23

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Message from Helen Robbins-Meyer, Chief Administrative Officer

I want to thank you for all you continue to do to serve the public and your flexibility in the current environment. Our Emergency Operations Center has been activated as the nerve center for our response. Many of you who aren’t involved there have asked what that looks like. Well, I’d like to give you a quick peek behind the curtain.

First of all, it follows an Incident Command System, which is a highly structured way to organize used whenever there are large-scale emergencies. Dozens of your co-workers have been assigned roles in this system. They are located at the EOC and surrounding conference rooms with phones and computers working hard to keep our region safe and healthy.

The day begins at 7:00 a.m. with a health screening at the door. Then everyone takes their places carrying out a variety of critical roles. They fill supply requests from our local hospitals. They help procure hotel rooms to house people who need a safe place to isolate. They arrange all of the support systems those rooms need like food, supplies, transportation, and cleaning. They field dozens of calls from the public and the media on how to access information and services. They connect information between public health, law enforcement, and logistics coordinators. They manage communications and coordinate response actions with the business community, other local governments, and schools just- to name a few.

And this is all done with things changing moment to moment. Orders are issued at various levels of government. Needs change as the virus spreads. Supplies run low and shipments come in. Any change can set off a chain reaction. It’s a constant challenge to keep everyone up to date with the latest information and make sure we are prepared to respond. 

In addition, there is the planning. We plan for having to keep at this for a while, and for the needs of the community, as the number of positive tests increase. We maintain a comprehensive website so the public can find the information they need to be informed and prepared.

This is the pulse of the emergency response, and it is awesome to watch our team rise to the occasion and use their skills in this defining moment. In many cases they are putting their personal lives on hold to serve our region.

At 7:00 p.m., or 19:00 hours as we say in emergency management, the shift ends. The Duty Officer keeps watch throughout the night until we are back up to full speed again at 7:00 a.m.- and this happens seven days a week. In fact, there’s so much going on that I need to cut back on the frequency of these mails to you. I’ll be in touch regularly, but a step back from daily.

I know it is tough to maintain operations while your co-workers are responding elsewhere. This is our charge as disaster workers. As one County Team, we’ll handle both roles- operations and response- with the amazing work you always do.

Thanks for all your incredibly hard work!

Update for March 21

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Message from Helen Robbins-Meyer, Chief Administrative Officer

I apologize for no email Friday. We were working on getting clarity on the governor’s order for everyone to stay at home. Here’s an overview of what it means for the public.

The County Emergency Operations Center is fully operational at its highest level to ensure the safety of our community. Staff directly involved with trying to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are working through the weekend, and I’m sure all employees join me in expressing our appreciation for their work to protect us.

For County staffing plans overall, here’s what’s happening. Employees classified as essential will be working either at their workplace or teleworking from home. Others not classified as essential will be teleworking from home performing their normal duties. Some of you may not be able to perform your normal duties. You’ll be doing professional development or other assigned duties.

Not sure if you’re classified essential or what your assignment is? Check with your supervisor. By now, you should’ve heard from your department, but I know they’ve all been scrambling. If you haven’t, please contact your supervisor. Supervisors, thank you for handling these logistical and staffing challenges.

Please remember all County employees are considered disaster service employees. You could be reassigned to essential duties during this time. It’s important that we remain flexible to make sure we are providing the best service to our community and helping out our fellow employees when needed.

As we switch to telework, it may take a little more effort to stay connected with colleagues and supervisors. The best way to do that will vary by the person or the workgroup. But please make sure you do stay in touch with others and keep lines of communication open.

We’re just getting started down this road. Continue to take care of yourselves, watch out for your co-workers. The incredible response I’ve seen from all of you so far gives me great confidence in our ability to lead our residents through this. Thanks so much for everything!

Use Kronos on Your Smartphone

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Kronos.jpg

You can submit your time and labor entries through Kronos on your smartphone. While the desktop version is still available, this Kronos Mobile app is particularly convenient.

The free Kronos Mobile app may be downloaded to either personal or County-issued phone. It is available for both iPhone and Android users and may be used by all County permanent employees, excluding hourly employees.

Download the app. Then enter this server information when prompted and proceed: https://kr7mobprod.sdcounty.ca.gov/wfc

Next, you will enter your Kronos username and password - and you’re in. You will have access to edit, review and approve your timecard.

If you have more questions, visit Central Payroll’s Kronos Korner webpage. It has an FAQ and visual desk aid instructions. In addition, there are LMS training courses available on how to use the Kronos Mobile app. Search for “Kronos Mobile” and select from one of several tailored training courses. Take the appropriate training based on your device – either iPhone or Android.

For additional help, contact your respective Help Desk numbers for general password/accessibility issues, your departmental Human Resources/ Payroll office for Kronos-specific questions, such as timecard format, timecard entries, accruals, etc.

Daily Update for March 19

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Message from Helen Robbins-Meyer, Chief Administrative Officer

I continue to be amazed by the fantastic work you are doing during this stressful time. It’s the nature of public service that people need us most when crises strike. The impacts of this health emergency are far-reaching, and people really are going to need us. To get through this, then coming back out of it – which we will.

Many of you may be feeling worried about the economic environment. Rest assured, we will weather this storm. Your job is secure, and your retirement is safe. You always hear about how the County has strong reserves, and it’s exactly for these moments. 

There should be no concern about the retirement fund solvency. SDCERA’s Trust Fund has $11 billion in assets. The County will continue to make the required contributions necessary to ensure benefits are paid.

A lot of things may be causing you anxiety these days. Your position here at the County shouldn’t be among them. Our fiscal discipline will allow us to move forward to provide services to all those with less certainty in their lives. Thank you for all you’re doing and the help you’ll continue to provide.