COVID-19 Information for Staff & Volunteers

Last updated: 29 March 2021

STAY INFORMED

As the situation is constantly evolving, 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.

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. The best advice is to conduct yourself as if you were contaminated. If everybody acted in this way, this will reduce the risk of the virus spreading.

Please do not come to work if you're unwell and experiencing any symptoms similarly to the cold or flu. If you feel unwell or if you've come in contact with someone who has been diagnosed, or if you have been diagnosed with Covid-19, please notify your Manager immediately. If you suspect you may have contracted coronavirus, call the relevant coronavirus health information hotline:

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 via this link on our website.

Please also 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 closure, 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.

EMPLOYEES AND CASUAL STAFF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

- Casual staff affected by coronavirus may be eligible for government support and assistance. Please find out more at the Australian Government services website.

- New Rental Grant for households impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more at: https://www.qld.gov.au/housing/renting/rent-assistance/bond-loan/covid19-rental-grant

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

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 are sick and think you have symptoms of COVID-19, seek medical attention. If you want to talk to someone about your symptoms first, call the Australian Government Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080 for advice.

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 I or my staff are required to self-isolate?

Staff must act in accordance with the most up to date advice from the Australian Government Department of Health:

If you are unwell and think you have symptoms of COVID-19, seek medical attention. If you want to talk to someone about your symptoms first, call the Australian Government Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080 for advice.

If a close contact has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or is waiting test results, you should self-quarantine at home and do not attend work or school.

The staff must notify the YMCA covid-19 support inbox on 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 been tested for COVID-19 and are awaiting results?

Please notify your Manager immediately. Managers must send staff person home immediately, send a notification to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and notify the Group Manager.

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

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

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. YMCA is offering free suspension to members of open facilities who are concerned about COVID-19.

General:

What happens with direct debit membership payments at Fitness and Recreational Centres?

Direct membership payments will be automatically be put on hold at any facilities that are closed. There is no need for members to initiate this.

What happens if families need to cancel or suspend care in child care?

YMCA will be encouraging families to only suspend the child care services during this time, however, if families need to cancel care, the required notice period will be waivered. Families will not be required to pay any child care fees after their last day of care.

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?

You will be advised if and when you can access your normal workplace to collect items or hardware to improve your experience of working from home. Some workplaces may not be accessible and access to some facilities that close will be subject to Council approval.

If you are authorised to attend a closed workplace to collect work items:
• Practice social distancing from others;
• 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?

Speak to your Manager as soon as possible about your situation. It may be possible to reduce or alter the hours of work to accommodate reasonable requirements as agreed between both you and your Manager. If you cannot safely work from home, then a ‘Stand Down’ may be necessary.

Can I choose to work from an open YMCA facility or public place rather than working from home?

No - Working from home means working from home. Your health and safety is our main priority and we are following guidelines for social distancing when approving staff to work from home.

Facility and Office Closures:

Will all YMCA-managed facilities be closing due to COVID-19?

Some centres have already closed due to COVID-19 and it is expected, based on decisions of local councils and contract partners and the directives of the Australian Government Department of Health (DOH), that there may be further closures in the future. The situation is constantly evolving, and we will act in accordance with the most up to date advice from the DOH and where appropriate the directions of our Contract Partners or Councils in relation to whether facilities remain open or close.

If facilities close how long will they be closed for?

Where facilities are closed we will act in accordance with the most up to date advice from the Australian Government Department of Health (DOH) and directions of our Contract Partners or Councils in relation to when they reopen. Facility closure dates will continue to be reviewed based on the latest advice from DOH.

What happens to staff teams if facilities are closed? How will staff be notified?

Staff will be notified of a ‘Stand Down’ and every effort will be made for this notification to be face-to-face or over the phone in the first instance. A letter will also be sent to their YMCA email address and/or personal email address.

Will Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable processes continue?

The Finance team will continue to pay and receive invoices as they become due.

Will externally contracted work continue?

External contractors will be contacted along with YMCA staff to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on their role.

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.

Where can I find more information about COVID-19?

YMCA Brisbane Website:
www.ymcabrisbane.org

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Health Alert
www.health.gov.au

Queensland Health:
https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/current-status/current-status-and-contact-tracing-alerts

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.

The Y acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands we work upon and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

The YMCA of Brisbane is registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC).

The YMCA of Brisbane ABN: 61 028 995 366
Y-Care (South East Queensland) Inc. ABN: 85 051 706 001