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COVID-19

COVID-19

KTC is responding to the rapidly changing recommendations from the CDC, State, and County health officials regarding workplace safety.  This challenging situation is going to take teamwork and dedication on everyone’s part.  We are going to pull together to continue to provide a safe work environment and excellent service to our clients.  As the situation changes or we get additional information, we will provide updates via email.

At this time, the Board is recommending that all employees, particularly those that fall into one of the High-Risk Groups, work remotely until further notice.  In addition, anyone who shows COVID-19 symptoms or who lives or interacts with someone that is showing COVID-19 symptoms must not come into the office.  If you do need to come into the office, please carefully follow the CDC guidelines for reducing the possibility of transmission.

High-Risk Groups include persons that:

  • are 60 years of age and older
  • have a long-term medical condition – for example, heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, cancer or high blood pressure
  • have a week immune system (immunosuppressed)
  • are pregnant

For this week at least, we will maintain a skeleton crew in the office to support both on-site and telecommuting functions.

What follows are our firm policies on remote work, sick and vacation. 

Telecommuting / Working Remotely

When working remotely, you are expected to be immediately available on your phones and computers during business hours (8:00/8:30 am – 5:00 pm) Monday through Friday.  You are required to take your two 15-minute breaks and a lunch break of one hour.  Our office phones have the capability to connect with your cell phone.  This is called Mobile Twinning.  You are required to use this option during the time you work remotely to ease accessibility.  You will need to setup an internal notification on your office phone and internal message on your email during break times indicating the times you will be unavailable.  The IT department can assist with getting your Mobile Twinning and Zoom capabilities working.  They can also show you how to setup phone and email notifications. 

Communicate:Keep clear lines of communication open with clients, courts, and each other.  Clients must continue to receive due care and attention, and lawyers should pay particular attention to make sure no deadlines or important dates are missed during any period of instability.  Lawyers should check their calendars for upcoming deadlines and establish a plan for back-up assistance in filing if it becomes necessary.  File early if possible.  Given the rapidly changing environment, there may be very little advance notice of a business or government entity closing.  Lawyers may want to proactively seek time extensions now as a precautionary measure.

Confidentiality & Security: All confidential information must be stored in a secure manner, and the security of data and access to systems must be respected in the same manner as they would as if working in the office.  KTC work product should not be saved to personal computer/laptops.  Conversations concerning client information must be held in closed confined areas if others are around.

Workplace Safety:  In order for telecommuting to be successful and cost-effective, the employee must be responsible for establishing and maintaining safe and healthful working conditions when the workplace is the employee’s home.  The employee must be responsible for avoiding work that is not normally part of the job when working at the regular office (such as heavy lifting) and for taking normal precautions to avoid accidents.

Payment Arrangement:  Telecommuting employees will receive their regular pay.  Teleworkers who are hourly employees (non-exempt from the overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act) will record all hours worked in the same manner as if they were working on KTC premises. If you need to spend part of your workday caring for or teaching children, you may record that time as sick or vacation. Accrual of overtime or compensatory time will be administered under the same provisions as if the work were performed at the regular work location.   

Telecommuters who are salaried (exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act) will complete their timesheet in the same manner as if they were working on KTC premises.

Sick/Vacation:  Should you choose not to work remotely, you will be required to use sick or vacation time, and eventually leave without pay.  For those telecommuting, continue to request and report sick days and vacation days using the normal procedures and notify your team, me, Jessica Smith, and reception as usual.

On-Line Learning:  We realize that some of you have duties that do not easily lend themselves to working remotely.  To keep everyone productive during this time, we will be emailing links to on-line training that can be accomplished from your home and will advance your skills.  Please take full advantage of this opportunity to expand your knowledge.

Employment Status:  This arrangement in no way alters the at-will nature of employment. Both KTC and the employee may terminate employment without cause or advance notice.

Duration:  KTC may amend or revise these policies at any time and for any reason, and that these policies will be reevaluated regularly.