COVID-19 Working Remotely

South Dakota State University is working diligently to make accommodations for their faculty and staff. With COVID-19 taking place, it is the universities best interest to have their faculty work remotely to slow down this virus. Here are some guidelines to follow with working remotely. 

Employees are advised to:

• Everyone should follow guidance from the CDC, as well as State and local government officials, regarding strategies to limit disease spread. 
• Avoid meeting people face-to-face. Employees are encouraged to use the telephone, online conferencing, e-mail or instant messaging to conduct business as much as possible, even when participants are in the same building.
• If a face-to-face meeting is unavoidable, the meeting time should be for a minimum period of time, in a large meeting room and participants should sit at least 6 feet from each other, if possible.
• Avoid person-to-person contact such as shaking hands.
• Do not congregate in work rooms, copier rooms or other areas where people socialize.
• Eat at your desk or away from others. Bring your lunch or purchase take-out meals.
• Encourage community members and non-members to request information and materials or place orders via phone and e-mail to minimize person-to-person contact. When items or materials must be collected in person, have them ready for fast pick-up or delivery.
• For offices which typically accommodate walk-in service requests and/or appointments, moving toward a more formal appointment-scheduling process to better control the flow of people in and out of the office space.
• Posting social distance flyers at office entrances reminding people of the importance of maintaining a greater awareness of personal space (about six feet between people).
• Posting signs indicating that offices / workplaces / buildings are open only to members of SDSU faculty and staff
• Employees should report a COVID-19 exposure and/or diagnosis by contacting their supervisor immediately.
• Avoid handshaking as a means of greeting. Possible alternatives may include using a slight bow, elbow bump or toe kick when greeting others.
• Use only your knuckle to touch light switches, elevator buttons, etc.
• When opening doors (especially bathroom or other public area doors) or touching other public surfaces, use a paper towel, tissue or disposable glove.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer when hand washing is not possible.
• Use general surface cleaning products or wipes to clean commonly touched surfaces.