Ingeniux COVID-19 Policy

Purpose

This policy details regulations and recommendations pertaining to working at Ingeniux office locations, remote work, business operations, paid time off, sick leave, and travel during the COVID-19 pandemic and afterward.

You are kindly asked to follow these rules and recommendations diligently to sustain a productive, healthy, and safe workplace.

Scope

This policy applies to all Ingeniux employees.

Policy

Here, we outline the Ingeniux COVID-19 Company Policy.

Employee Vaccination 

Ingeniux no longer requires proof of vaccination for those working from or visiting Ingeniux office locations. However, Ingeniux strongly recommends that all employees get the COVID-19 vaccination. Vaccination is a safe, intelligent, and compassionate way to mitigate the spread and severity of COVID-19.

Working from an Ingeniux Office Location

Both Ingeniux office locations are now open and available for employees to work from on a day-to-day basis.

While we strongly encourage employees to return to the office for work on a full-time or part-time basis, we have no mandatory return-to-office policy in place. Employees may choose to continue working from home if they feel more comfortable doing so. However, be advised that this policy may change.  

For those working from the office on a part-time or full-time basis, we have put the following regulations in place in order to keep Ingeniux employees as safe and healthy as possible:

• Masks will be provided to employees at both office locations (Seattle and Walla Walla).
• We recommend that all employees wear a mask when in common areas, such as the kitchen, hallways, and bathrooms - especially during times when cases tend to spike, like the fall and winter seasons.
• During the fall and winter seasons, when cases tend to spike, unvaccinated employees should wear a mask when in common areas, such as the kitchen, hallways, and bathrooms.
• Employees must keep their work areas sanitary and tidy. This means regularly wiping down used surfaces, minimizing workplace clutter, and picking up and throwing away trash (e.g., used tissues and paper towels).
• When using the kitchen, employees must clean up all messes and used dishes immediately. This means handwashing or putting used dishes in the dishwasher immediately after use (i.e., do not leave dishes in the sink, at your desk, or on the countertop), wiping down counters after use, and properly stowing snacks and refrigerated food.
• Employees must practice excellent personal hygiene and follow the personal precautions and preventative measures detailed below while working from an Ingeniux office location.
• If you begin to experience symptoms of COVID-19 (or cold/flu symptoms), inform your manager and remove yourself/stay away from the office immediately.

These regulations may change as more employees return to work at the Ingeniux office locations (Seattle and Walla Walla) and in consideration of the current government and scientific regulations. We will announce any changes to office policy as soon as possible. 

COVID-19 Contraction, Symptoms, and Contact

Here is our policy on what Ingeniux employees should do if they test positive for COVID-19, experience symptoms, or come into contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19:

• Inform your manager as soon as possible (Ingeniux will never share this information with anyone).
• Cease coming in to work at an Ingeniux office location immediately (Seattle or Walla Walla).
• If you have tested positive, do not come into an Ingeniux office location: Stay home to recover and, as soon as you're able, work remotely. You may return to the office only after you've tested negative and symptoms have ceased. 
• If you are experiencing symptoms, do not come into an Ingeniux office location: Get tested as soon as possible and work remotely. You may return to the office only after you've tested negative and no longer experience symptoms. 
• If you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive, do not come into an Ingeniux office location: Get tested as soon as possible and work remotely. You may return to the office only after you've tested negative and are experiencing zero symptoms. 

Retaliation and Intimidation 

It is imperative that we remember that we are all in this together. Employees are prohibited from taking negative action - including retaliation, intimidation, bullying, or disparagement - against any employee who involuntarily contracts or spreads COVID-19.

Remote Work

Though both Ingeniux office locations are now open to employees, it is our policy that those who wish to continue working remotely may do so as long as their duties and job requirements are such that they are able. 

Please be advised that this policy may change and managers are within their rights to mandate their employees return to the office for work on a part-time or full-time basis if they deem it necessary.

Business Operations for Remote Workers

At Ingeniux, working hours vary by department. If, during this time, you find that it is not possible for you to maintain your regular working hours, then it is your responsibility to coordinate alternative working hours with your manager. These hours should meet the needs of your department while accommodating the unique circumstances of your day-to-day responsibilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Once your new, temporary schedule is defined, make sure to stick to it in order to avoid disrupting your teams’ efforts and output.

Should you need to take a break, run an errand, or step away from your work for some reason, all Ingeniux employees should make sure to communicate this to their co-workers either via Glip status, Glip message, email, or phone. In this notification, include when you plan to return to work.

If you are working remotely, we ask that you take these recommendations into account in an effort to maintain resilient and productive day-to-day operations:

• Designate a “Home Office” for Working Hours: This doesn’t have to be a whole room but designating a space for the sole purpose of work can improve focus, increase productivity, and help you separate work life and home life to some degree while working from home.
• Use the Tools and Technology Available to You: For those working remotely, it is important that you use tools like email, Glip, RingCentral video conferencing, and phone calls effectively. Coordinate with your team so that everyone is clear what tools are best to use in certain circumstances and for certain projects.
• Over-Communicate: Those not working from the office can no longer rely on seeing one another daily. During this time of remote work, be proactive in communicating and collaborating with your co-workers. A few ways to do this include: updating your Glip status regularly; informing team members of breaks, errands, or periods of time when you will be away from your computer; responding as quickly as possible to co-workers asking questions or collaborating with you on projects – even if it is just to let them know that you’ll address the matter later.
• Consider Ways to Structure Your Day: Working from home means many of us will lose the structure that once formed the backbone of our workday. You may want to consider structuring your day around healthy routines and habits. Some examples of these include pre-work or lunch-break workouts, going for a walk before the workday begins or when the workday ends, and preparing healthy meals at mealtimes.

Sick Leave

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ingeniux may offer additional sick leave in certain cases.

If you have a positive COVID-19 diagnosis, inform your manager immediately. As you recover, inform your manager if you think that additional sick leave may be required. You can return to work only after you receive a negative test result for COVID-19 and have made a full recovery.

If you need to care for someone with a positive COVID-19 diagnosis, inform your manager immediately. As you take time to provide care, inform your manager if you think that additional leave may be required.

All sick leave requests must be submitted to your manager and will be reviewed and approved on a case-by-case basis.

Travel

For those who are not vaccinated and choose to travel, a COVID-19 test must be taken both before and after the trip, a mask should be worn in public at all times, crowds should be avoided, and one must self-quarantine for seven days following the trip. Employees are expected to work remotely during quarantine. 

Personal Precautions and Preventative Measures

PLEASE NOTE: The COVID-19 vaccine is the most effective preventative measure that is available. In addition to being the best tool to prevent the spread of the virus, it is also incredibly safe. We strongly suggest that all employees get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as they are able.

Whether at work or at home, consider taking the following precautions to avoid getting sick:

• Maintain six feet of distance from others when in an enclosed, crowded space - especially during times when cases tend to spike, like the fall and winter seasons.
• Wear a mask when in crowded or public indoor spaces.
• Practice excellent personal hygiene habits, including washing your hands with soap and water frequently, coughing into a tissue or your elbow, and avoiding touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects (like doorknobs and light switches). Regular household cleaners are effective.

It is important that we all respond responsibly and transparently to these policies, recommendations, and health & safety precautions. We assure you that we will always treat your private health and personal data with high confidentiality and sensitivity.

The Ingeniux COVID-19 company policy is subject to changes with the introduction of additional government guidelines and scientific recommendations. If any changes are made to this policy, we will update you as soon as possible.

If you have questions, please reach out to your manager or email riley.edmunds@ingeniux.com.