‘They were unprepared’: Many Sacramento County workers in offices amid coronavirus outbreak
Even as Sacramento County’s health director issued directives, and later an order, to the public to limit social contact earlier this month, county employees say many still are being forced to come into work in crowded office buildings and compact cubicles.
Public lobbies have been closed, the libraries and court house are shuttered temporarily, but Sacramento County workers say those deemed “essential” — clerical staff, social workers, eligibility workers — have been directed by supervisors and managers to continue to come into the office despite holding jobs some say they could easily do from home.
Sacramento County has begun offering exceptions for some employees — anyone 65 and over or with proven existing health issues can ask for administrative paid leave during the coronavirus pandemic to stay safe. But many employees say this doesn’t go far enough, and flies in the face of orders issued by the county’s own health director.
Sacramento County issued a formal stay at home order last March 19 requiring residents remain home and only go out for essential chores and jobs. California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued the same order later that day, emphasizing social distancing as a key way to “flatten the curve” and slow the spread of coronavirus cases.
“Do we need 50, 60 people in the office? Can we do a rotation?” said Ted Somera, executive director of the largest union representing Sacramento County employees. “It hasn’t been denied from the department heads, it’s, ‘Are we going to be able to make that happen?’”
County departments are continuing to work to provide essential services for residents, said county spokeswoman Kim Nava. The county is the region’s third-largest employer, with more than 12,000 workers across 30 departments and offices.
“How we can best do that is continuing to evolve during this unprecedented time,” Nava said in an email.
Remote work is preferred
Sacramento County “prefers” that essential employees telework, “provided that their jobs are conducive to remote work,” Nava said. Those that can’t telecommute while providing these services “have been educated about social distancing and safe hygiene practices,” she added. Those who wish to stay home can use their regular sick or vacation hours.
But Somera of United Public Employees said it’s unclear why certain employees must still come into work versus other “non-essential” ones. Each county department determines who is deemed “essential” and must still come into the office, Nava said. The county has not taken stock of how many are teleworking or on administrative paid leave versus continuing to come into work.
Moreover, employees said there hasn’t been clear communication from supervisors about what are the barriers for allowing more workers classified as “essential” to work from home — whether it’s a lack of equipment, a lack of IT resources, or general security risks. Some departments are scrambling to get old iPhones back online, Somera said, and secure recording equipment to tape service calls.
“I’ve talked to departments that were very frustrated they had maybe 10, 15 laptops for 500, 600 social workers,” Somera said. “They were unprepared. I’m not saying it’s the fault of the county ... but they don’t have the proper technology or equipment to have everyone do telework.”
Departments are handling “a number of issues on a case by case basis,” Nava said.
Keeping office spaces safe
Mercedes Riggleman, a supervisor in Child Protective Services and the Sacramento County area representative for SEIU Local 1021, said the county has done the best it can with limited resources to keep workers safe. Cleaning crews have been more frequently wiping down door handles, elevators buttons and conference rooms.
“My manager brought in a tape measure to measure 6 feet of distance in my office,” Riggleman said.
After a delay because of back-ordered supplies, the county has offered masks and gloves for social workers who still have to respond to cases in person, like emergency calls for suspected child abuse and neglect. Those workers can also ask if anyone in the household has been exposed to the virus or has virus-like symptoms, Riggleman said.
Some social workers have been able to switch their normal face-to-face check-ins with clients to video conference calls, and Riggleman said the county’s IT department has been supportive setting up remote access for employees.
But she acknowledged it’s harder for support staff — people who answer phones or do administrative work — to be able to telework, Riggleman said.
“It’s been stressful in that way for clerical staff, but it’s been a blessing for the social worker staff,” Riggleman said. “They’re there and can email and scan stuff to us, it’s been very helpful.”
UPE has proposed that employees continuing to head to work be offered time and a half pay, and that workers be placed on shifts to limit social contact. The county has rejected the proposal for additional pay for workers, according to the union.
With California seeing a dramatic surge in unemployment claims in recent weeks caused by the widening coronavirus pandemic, Somera said it’s more important than ever that county employees continue to provide stability and support to residents. But the county needs to be more receptive to flexible options for employees, Somera said.
“They’re trying to walk that fine line,” Somera said. “But there’s a lot of general fear, of them getting the virus (at work) and taking it home to their family.”
As of Friday, there are 164 positive cases of the coronavirus in Sacramento, and six people have died from complications related to COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus.