ALLAN MYERS MASK MANDATE

Given the recent trend in COVID-19 positive cases in the geographies in which we work, Allan Myers is implementing a mask mandate policy. If you have any questions regarding this policy, please contact Human Resources.  

Effective January 10, 2022, and continuing until further notice all employees (regardless of vaccination status) must wear a face covering when indoors or when occupying a vehicle for work purposes except in the following circumstances:

  1. When the employee is alone in a room with floor to ceiling walls and a closed door or alone in a vehicle
  2. For a limited time while the employee is eating or drinking at the workplace or for identification purposes in compliance with safety and security requirements
  3. When the employee is wearing a respirator or facemask (i.e. face shield)
  4. Where the use of the face covering is infeasible or creates a greater hazard that would excuse the use of a face covering.  (Note:  If you believe this exception applies to you, you must consult with Human Resources. Human Resources will confirm whether the exception applies to you and shall do so in accordance with all applicable laws, regulations and Allan Myers’ policies).

The face covering that you wear must fully cover your nose and mouth; and must be replaced when wet, soiled or damaged. Allan Myers will make face coverings available to you at your request and at no cost. 

Allan Myers will not prevent any employee from wearing an additional or more substantial face covering (i.e. shield, respirator, etc.) if the employee desires to do so, except where it will create a hazard of serious injury or death, such as interfering with the safe operation of equipment.   

Reasonable Accommodation: Employees may be legally entitled to a reasonable accommodation if they cannot wear a face covering as required by this policy because of a disability, or if the provisions in this policy for wearing a face covering conflict with a sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance. Requests for reasonable accommodations must be initiated by contacting Human Resources. All such requests will be handled in accordance with applicable laws and regulations and Allan Myers’ policies.

COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Information

If you have been vaccinated for the COVID-19 virus, it is important to know the latest information regarding booster shots. 

For anyone who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, the following people are eligible for a booster shot at least 6 months after their 2nd dose. 

For anyone who received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, booster shots are recommended for anyone over the age of 18 who received their 1st shot at least 2 months ago. 

The FDA and the CDC have concluded that mixing or matching vaccines when getting a booster dose is safe and effective.  Regardless of the initial vaccine you received, any of the three available vaccines may be given as a booster. 

Booster shots can be found at almost any pharmacy, and in many physician’s offices.  Usually an appointment is needed, but many appointment times are available including weekends and evenings. 

If you are eligible for and want to get a COVID-19 booster shot, you will be paid for the time it takes you to do so, up to a maximum of 2 hours.  Please send a picture of your updated vaccine card to healthy2021@allanmyers.com with the word BOOSTER in the subject line, and let your manager know so they can code your time correctly. 

Important Message – COVID Plan and Offices
Communication to All Employees

As July 6th approaches, we wanted to send a reminder of what happens on that date as it relates to COVID-19 and Allan Myers.

Starting on July 6, 2021:

  1. All our Allan Myers offices will be fully open.
    • Employees will have the Allan Myers office as their primary work location.
  1. Anyone who wants to get a COVID vaccine will have had the opportunity to do so on their own or through an Allan Myers scheduled clinic.  
  1. COVID-9 related time-off (illness, testing, quarantine, etc.) will be treated like any other illness.
    • Time off will either be unpaid or covered by PTO and STD if qualified.  
    • We will no longer provide “COVID pay”.
  1. Allan Myers will no longer have on-site testing.  
    • If an employee needs a COVID-19 test, they will be required to locate and schedule their own appointment with their physician, or local pharmacy.
  1. Any employee who has received at least 1 dose of the vaccine by July 6th will be eligible for the $250 thank you gift card.  
    • Those who begin the vaccination process after July 6th will not qualify for the gift card.
  1. Requirements for masks may still vary depending on the state or city in which you work, and specific client/customer requirements.
    • If you are unsure what the mask requirements are for your location, please check with your manager. 

We work best when we are together.  We know that many of you, have been in person with your work teams for the 17 months of the pandemic, and have been role models for how to work 

differently to continue to be successful, but also stay healthy and safe.  As of July 6th, we are excited that our whole Allan Myers family will be back together across our footprint and in all our offices.  

This is an exciting milestone for our company! 

Mensaje Importante – Plan COVID y Oficinas
Comunicación a Todos los Empleados

A medida que se acerca el 6 de Julio, queríamos enviar un recordatorio de lo que sucede en esa fecha en relación con COVID-19 y Allan Myers. 

A partir del 6 de Julio de 2021:

  1.  Todas nuestras oficinas de Allan Myers estarán completamente abiertas. 
    • Los empleados tendrán la oficina de Allan Myers como su lugar de trabajo principal.  
  1. Cualquier persona que quiera vacunarse contra el COVID habrá tenido la oportunidad de hacerlo por su cuenta o a través de una clínica programada de Allan Myers.   
  1. Tiempo libre relacionado con COVID-9 (enfermedad, pruebas, cuarentena, etc.) se tratará como cualquier otra enfermedad.  
    • El tiempo libre será no pagado o cubierto por PTO y STD si califica.   
    • Ya no vamos a dar “covid pay”.  
  1. Allan Myers ya no tendrá pruebas in situ.   
    • Si un empleado necesita una prueba de COVID-19, se le pedirá que localice y programe su propia cita con su médico, o farmacia local.
  1. Cualquier empleado que haya recibido al menos 1 dosis de la vacuna antes del 6 de julio será elegible para la tarjeta de regalo de agradecimiento de $250.   
    • Aquellos que comiencen el proceso de vacunación después del 6 de julio no calificarán para la tarjeta de regalo.
  1. Los requisitos para las máscaras aún pueden variar dependiendo del estado o la ciudad en la que trabaje, y los requisitos específicos del cliente.  
    • Si no está seguro de cuáles son los requisitos de máscara para su ubicación, consulte con su gerente.

Trabajamos mejor cuando estamos juntos.  Sabemos que muchos de ustedes, han estado en persona con sus equipos de trabajo durante los 17 meses de la pandemia, y han sido modelos a seguir de cómo trabajar de manera diferente para seguir teniendo éxito, pero también mantenerse saludables y seguros.  A partir del 6 de julio, estamos emocionados de que toda nuestra familia Allan Myers vuelva a estar unida en toda nuestra huella y en todas nuestras oficinas.

¡Este es un hito emocionante para nuestra empresa!   

¡Nos vemos luego!

Updates to COVID Protocols for Field and Offices

It is currently anticipated that all adult Americans that choose to be vaccinated will have had the opportunity to do so by the end of June.  With that in mind, we are planning to make a few key changes:
 
Effective Immediately for Field Employees:

  • Masks are no longer required in the field (outdoors) when a 6-foot distance can be maintained.
  • Masks are still required under either of the following conditions:
    • 6’ distance cannot be maintained for a duration exceeding 15-minutes.
    • If our project owners or the local jurisdiction have more stringent requirements. 

Starting July 6, 2021 for Office Employees, Including Job Trailers/Offices:

  • All Allan Myers offices will be fully open starting July 6th.
    • Office employees will have the Allan Myers office as their primary work location.  Anyone who needs special accommodations, or time to plan to return to the office, should discuss it with their manager and get approval from their senior leader.
    • Masks will continue to be required in office common areas and conference rooms until further notice.

Important Updates to Company Vaccination Assistance:

  • “COVID-19 pay” will end on July 6, 2021.
    • Beginning July 6, 2021, COVID-19 related time-off (illness, testing, quarantine, etc.) will be treated like any other illness.  Time off will either be unpaid or covered by PTO, FMLA Bank and/or STD if qualified.  We will no longer provide “COVID-19 pay”.
  • $250 Thank You gift card benefit will be ending on July 6th. 
    • Any employee who has received at least 1 dose of the vaccine by July 6th will be eligible for the benefit.  Those who begin the process after July 6th will not qualify.
  • We are providing on-site vaccine clinics at Allan Myers locations in all our regions. 
    • For those who are still planning to be vaccinated, this makes it as easy as possible by bringing it to you. To sign up for one of the Allan Myers vaccine clinics – please contact healthy2021@allanmyers.com.

We will continue to monitor the latest guidance from CDC and communicate any further changes. 
Thank you for your continued dedication and efforts to making Allan Myers a great and safe place to work. 
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your manager or regional HR.

What’s It Like to Get the Vaccine? Hear from Fellow Employees

As we close in on more than 400 employees having full or partial COVID vaccinations, we are gathering information from people about their experiences.  Fear of the unknown can make the decision to get a vaccine a difficult one. 

Here are some direct quotes from some employees you know that have recently gotten the vaccine:

Ease of experience/Time it took:

  • Was in and out in 30 minutes, including 15 minutes of waiting to make sure I didn’t have an allergic reaction. – Andy Wingard, General Superintendent
  • Very easy and well organized. – Mike McCulla, Field Manager

Honest account of side effects:

  • Felt a little sluggish about 24 hours after the shot. Felt 100% better after a good night’s sleep. – Bob Herbein, Executive VP, Corporate Services
  • Just some arm pain at the injection site the following day. – Jack Newnam, VP, Construction
  • Ran a fever and felt cold 36 hours after the shot. It only lasted a few hours and then I felt fine. – Sandra Genter, Safety Director
  • I got the one dose vaccine and felt no side effects. – Paul Ziegler, VP Safety

How did you feel when you got your appointment, and then your vaccine?

  • Happy to try and get all this COVID behind me. – Andy Wingard, General Superintendent
  • Well worth it considering I won’t have to worry about getting COVID. – Jack Newnam, VP, Construction
  • I felt like a weight that I have been carrying around for the last year had been lifted off my chest. – Paul Ziegler, VP Safety

Additional Comments:

  • I had COVID in December and was very sick – two visits to the emergency room, with little care due to the overload of people waiting to be seen. I feared reinfection, and for my life.  I’m grateful that Allan Myers is working hard to secure appointments for its employees. – Sandra Genter, Safety Director
  • Our crew wanted the vaccine to stay healthy and to not have to wear a mask again this summer. We all went together to a scheduled clinic. – Mike McCulla, Field Manager

Still unsure if the vaccine is right for you. Facts from experts can be found further down on this page.

The CDC has stated that social distancing, and mask wearing can ease for groups of people who are fully vaccinated. This means that fully vaccinated crews can be mask free when working together this summer.

Don’t forget – all employees who are fully vaccinated will be paid for up to 4 hours to get the vaccine and will get a $250 gift card.

Ongoing studies around the world are seeing promising results that the vaccine can reduce the risk of spreading the virus to others. Transmission happens when particles of the virus from an infected person pass to the body of an uninfected person. The vaccine reduces the amount of virus particles coming out of your nose and mouth and shortens the time that you shed these particles. This means that a person who sheds less virus particles, over a shorter period is less likely to transmit it to someone else.

If you would like to be placed on the company wait list for a vaccine when they become available in your area, please email healthy2021@allanmyers.com or reach out to local HR.  Messages should include full legal name, cell phone number and job location/office.

This week marks the one year since the COVID-19 pandemic hit home for most of us. Office closures, empty grocery store shelves, vacant streets, and social distancing all began this time 12 months ago.

As the world approaches this historic milestone, Allan Myers is reaching a new chapter. As of this week, through individual appointments and partnerships between Allan Myers and Departments of Health, nearly 10% of our employees have been fully vaccinated. What’s even more exciting is what the future holds:

  • 125 more employees will participate in a mass vaccination clinic set up by Allan Myers and the Virginia Department of Health on March 17th.
  • 20 employees per week are receiving their vaccines through another partnership in the Fredericksburg area.
  • We have confidence that our partner, Healthy Measures, will have vaccines to administer at our employees on job sites as early as the first week of April.
  • Our Vaccine Planning Committee is working hard to find any channels to vaccine doses we can and is securing more opportunities each week.

Additional good news this week is the CDC has announced that social distancing and mask wearing can ease for groups of people who are fully vaccinated. Fully vaccinated means at least two weeks past the 2nd dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine – or four weeks past the single dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.  That is how long it takes to reach the full level of protection.

What does this mean for you and for Allan Myers?

  • Those employees who are fully vaccinated can meet in groups indoors without masks.
  • Those employees who are fully vaccinated can work alongside others who are fully vaccinated without masks and closer than 6 feet. Also, don’t forget – If you get your vaccine:
    • You will be paid up to 4 hours for any time needed to go to your appointment(s)
    • You will receive a $250 gift card as our way of saying “thanks”.

It is important that we start to create our own wait list for vaccine appointments as we secure doses of the vaccine and make plans to come out to job sites. This will allow us to prioritize jobsites and offices as vaccine doses arrive. Please contact Regional HR to express your interest in a vaccine when they are available at or near your job site, or send a message to healthy2021@allanmyers.com.  Please include your full legal name, cell phone number, and the name of your job or office.

Thank you.

Our nation is currently facing a crisis like it hasn’t seen in over a century.  With that, we know that our employees and their families are facing challenges, stress and worries like they have never faced in their lifetimes. The Circle of Wellness includes the 4 most critical things to keep you and your loved ones mentally healthy. We want you to know that you are not alone.  The UpTo App is our communication tool for our employees, but we also want our employee families to have easy access to important resources, tools, programs, and more. To help get through this difficult time. This website is your place to find support. 

As the COVID-19 vaccine distribution and approvals of new vaccines continues to unfold, we know that you will have questions, and even concerns, about the vaccine, its effectiveness, and its safety. 

To assist you in finding reliable information on the COVID-19 vaccine, we are sharing links below to a few trusted medical sources from around the country. Here are a few resources if you are seeking additional information:

Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Dr. William Schaffner – Division of Infectious Diseases 
(16 minutes in length)

University of California – San Diego Health
Dr. Marlene Millen – Chief Medical Information Officer, Primary Care Physician 
(5:30 minutes in length)

Mayo Clinic
Dr. Robert Jacobson – Medical Director, Primary Care Immunization Program 
*Click on the link, and scroll to the video with the blue background, and the doctor with the red tie. 
(6 minutes in length)

CDC – US Center for Disease Control and Prevention
What to Expect After Getting a Covid-19 Vaccine 
(1:30 minutes in length)