Most Staff Working From Home, To Be Compensated Normally

By Otto Do, Tucker Gibbs and Tina Huang

With the COVID-19 case count climbing each day, the Academy has altered working requirements to reduce the likelihood of viral transmission and support all Exeter staff in this difficult time. Though the Academy transitioned to online instruction on March 18, some staff continue to work reduced hours. Campus Safety, a notable exception, continues to work regular hours. 

While in-person work may not be possible, Principal William Rawson notified all faculty and staff on March 19 that regular compensation would be provided until June 30. “All regularly scheduled employees, full time and part-time, exempt and nonexempt, will be compensated for all normally scheduled hours that would have been worked during this period, even if work can’t be performed due to the Academy’s decision to convert to online learning for the remainder of the academic year,” his all-staff email read.  

The Academy’s health insurance provider, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, is waiving all copay requirements during the pandemic, allowing faculty and staff to receive free COVID-19 testing and treatment. 

Furthermore, those who can have been instructed to work from home. “We implemented mandatory telecommuting for all who can work at home two weeks ago. Many departments, such as Institutional Advancement, [Human Resources] and Finance, are working almost entirely from home. Other departments, such as custodial and facilities maintenance, are working on reduced hours (essentially working every other week for many in those departments),” Rawson said. “Many employees are simply staying at home because they are not needed (e.g. dining employees), but they are being paid, as you know … Campus Safety is the only department that continues to be present on campus much as they were before.” Administrators are working from home, while teachers have the option of working in their classrooms. However, each teacher must be the sole occupant of their room.

At this time, D-Halls remain closed. “We will not be able to open Elm Street Dining Hall [on March 23], as we had hoped and planned,” Rawson wrote in an all-employee email. We are continuing to examine ways to provide for the safety of dining hall employee and ‘customers,’ with social distancing guidelines in mind.  The earliest we would open would be April 6, but please do not count on that date. We recognize this may pose challenges for some families, and hope we will be able to help each other out as necessary.” As of today, the dining hall remains closed to Academy families. 

The Post Office, another core service, has been running on a limited schedule. A morning driver, who arrives at 8:30 a.m., visits several sites on campus to make non-contact deliveries. The staff member then works in the Post Office until a designated time.

While some Campus Safety and Facilities Management staff do work on campus, administrative staff in those departments are telecommuting. “Those who can work from home are mandated to do so,” Director of Campus Safety Paul Gravel said. “Social distancing is mandatory. Meetings are being held remotely.”

Prior to a stay-at-home order by Gov. Chris Sununu, Facilities Management operated with a portion of its staff on campus. However, some adjustments had to be made to accommodate the order. “Starting on March 30, Facilities Management will be operating with limited staff to provide only essential services,” Director of Facilities Management Mark Leighton said. “For those that need to be on campus to perform the essential services, we have very strict protocols such as social distancing and proper protective equipment.”

Despite these slight adjustments, Sununu’s stay-at-home order has had a minimal impact on the Academy. “In short, the order has not changed our behavior because we have already been meeting the expectations of the order through the various measures just described. But we did send out an email to all employees on Friday informing them of the order and reminding them of the importance of social distancing and the importance of adhering to mandatory telecommuting,” Rawson said. “Technically, the order is a stay-at-home order, not shelter in place, and you probably also noticed that it does not apply to K–12 schools. K–12 schools are closed by a separate executive order through May 4.”

For those working on- and off-campus, the Academy’s priority continues to be the health and safety of all Academy affiliates. “We are practicing social distancing very aggressively,” Rawson said.

English Instructor Alex Myers stressed that, at this time, extra scrutiny must be placed in determining whether staff members should work. “I feel that Exeter can and should designate jobs that are ‘essential’ and have to be done in person and on-campus,” he said. “These should be carefully evaluated as truly necessary—mail has to be delivered, for instance. Campus Safety officers are needed for a variety of tasks.”  

Additionally, History Instructor Betty Luther-Hilmman noted that, while faculty are permitted to work in academic spaces, social distancing was a priority. “I know that teachers were told we can work in our classrooms but by ourselves and to maintain physical distance from colleagues,” she said. “I think all teachers are either working from home or are working in their own classrooms, not in any other spaces.”

Rawson noted the Academy’s commitment to taking care of all students, faculty and staff. “I believe the strength and creativity of our students will match the dedication and commitment of our faculty, and combined we will have a successful spring term,” Rawson said.