Employees required to report Covid cases, exposures ASAP

With the rising rate of Covid-19 cases throughout the state, MoDOT currently requires all employees to report when they receive a positive Covid test or when they get tested for Covid due to symptoms or exposure. 

Employees are to call Ashley Johnson, in Human Resources, as soon as possible, including holidays and weekends. Johnson's phone number is (816) 334-9795. 

Any work location that receives to positive Covid tests within seven days will be required to participate in box in testing. The guidelines for box in testing are available here. 

Introducing MoDOT's Virtual Water Cooler

Things look different at our MoDOT offices. As many of us continue to work remotely, the Communications Department has a new way for employees to reconnect. 

Introducing the Virtual Water Cooler. 

What is it?  The Virtual Water Cooler is an opportunity for co-workers to connect through a phone chain. 

How does it work? Each week participants will be assigned a person to call. The VWC coordinator will send out the phone tree list to the first person on each list. The first person will call the second person, who will call the third person, etc. Each participant will email the list to the person they call so the phone chain can continue.

 

Each week there will be an ice-breaker question, or you can simply use this as a time to say hello. These VWC conversations can range from 5-15 minutes. 

 

Who can join? Any MoDOT employee within the Kansas City District

 

Why should you participate?

 

Scientific studies have shown that short conversations with co-workers promote positive emotions and well-being.

 

You may not feel like you need connection while you are working virtually, but you never know how much your call could mean to a co-worker.

 

Social connection can boost your health, even when you are physically distanced.

 

People who suffer from mental illness are more vulnerable to the stress of social isolation. 

And one in five adults is affected by mental illness each year.  

  

Why this?

 

While there are apps that provide space for connection, this classic phone tree approach offers something that those apps don’t- connected human-to-human communication throughout. Each participant chats with two employees per week, creating a chain of chit chat. Whereas apps rely on participation through technology.

 

Different hormones are released when people hear another voice, versus read text via email, chat, or text message. Voice to voice interaction is important to happiness. 

 

Why now?

 

The Covid-19 vaccination gives us hope and a light at the end of the tunnel. But despite the vaccine, we do not know when we will all be back in the office. Now, more than ever, we need to maintain connections to our MoDOT family and keep spirits high. 

How can you sign up?

Email kccr@modot.mo.gov, to join. 

District engineer shares end-of-year message

2020 has been a year different than any other. Kansas City District Engineer filmed a message for MoDOT employees to share his thoughts on 2020. Click here to view Dave Silvester's message.  

Experts encourage continued social distancing

 

There have been 325 cases of Covid-19 among MoDOT employees to date. As we enter into the holiday season and colder weather, MoDOT leadership encourages everyone to stay safe. 

Researches have learned that this virus primarily spreads through person-to-person contact. 

The safest way to protect yourself and your loved ones is through:

1. Social distancing (stay at least 6-feet apart from other individuals.)
   
   
2. Face covering (wear a mask when you are around other people.)
   
   
3. Hand hygiene. (Wash your hands regularly.)
   
   

For more information about what scientists have learned about this virus, click here to watch a video by Dr. Bill Powderly.

2020 Adopt a Family Underway

 

Christmas is coming and with it MoDOT's annual Adopt-A-Family program. This year will be different than in year's past. 

Instead of a physical tree with paper angels in the District Office, we are doing a virtual Angel Tree. 

You can find the signup for donations at the following link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E044CAAAD2DA6FA7-modots. 

A few things to note this year:

• We have created an Amazon Wish List to reduce direct contact but you are free to go shopping on your own as well (Be sure to mark the item on the signup).
  
  
• It is preferred that the gifts are kept under $30 to assure that the children in each family are receiving gifts equal in value.
  
  
• Monetary/Cash donations are preferred to be made through PayPal using this QR Code: (no fees! but you do need an account; scan the code with your phone’s camera)
  
  
  
  
  
• If you are wanting to make a financial donation outside of PayPal please contact Krystal Jolly via text (816-590-3113) to receive an invoice based on the amount you sign up for or to make other arrangements
• If you are wanting to donate a gift card, it is preferred to be a Visa/MasterCard/AMEX in the increments noted in the sign up and you will need to contact Krystal Jolly for retrieval. 

 

All items must be submitted no later than Friday, December 11, 2020 (unless previously discussed).

Caution encouraged as holidays approach

As the holidays approach, Director Patrick McKenna encourages everyone to stay fervent when it comes to Covid-19 safety.

To date, more than 260 MoDOT employees have contracted Covid-19.

To ensure all employees stay safe, please watch this video to review MoDOT's Covid-19 safety protocols. 

Emergency Response Operator Carlos Campos Saves KCPD Officers from Rolling F-150

There’s never a dull moment for emergency response operators – unfortunately, many of these moments are dangerous and threaten the safety of those involved. But without these brave responders, the outcomes of traffic incidents could be much more severe.

On the evening of Sunday, Oct. 25, Emergency Response Operator Carlos Campos learned this first hand and his quick thinking and swift action was nothing short of life saving.

Carlos came upon a Ford F-150 blocking the northbound Interstate 435 on-ramp from 87^th St. as several Kansas City Police Department officers arrived on scene. As the officers approached the driver of the truck, Carlos remained in his emergency response truck ready to assist as needed.

The driver showed signs of intoxication and was disoriented. As KCPD attempted to pull the driver out of the truck, the vehicle began rolling back pulling the officers with it. Carlos, fearful that the truck would roll over the officers, quickly pulled his own truck up to stop the rolling F-150 and potentially saving the lives of the officers involved.

Carlos says that you have to be aware of all possible situations when working this field.

 “I was just doing what I was trained to do; be a quick responder, be aware of your surroundings, pay attention at all times, never turn your back at the traffic, and look out for each other so that we can all go home safe," he explains.

“Carlos is one of our newer operators, but his quick actions helped affirm to supervisors that we are training our employees to not only be good operators, but good people and citizens,” explains KC Scout Incident Management Coordinator Marcus Slaughter.

 “We emphasize how important it is to have each other’s back, which includes law enforcement, fire, towing, and motorists. Having our heads on a swivel let’s us see things, safety things, that others might miss,” Marcus finishes.

After the truck was stopped, Carlos was also able to translate for the F-150 driver, who did not speak English, allowing him to better communicate with the KCPD officers and clear the scene.

In addition to the numerous in-person thanks Carlos received from the officers at the scene, he also received a letter from the Kansas City Police Department's Major Keith Kirchhoff.

"Your quick thinking and actions prevented injuries and may have saved the lives of our officers working that night. Your actions in this matter did not go unnoticed and I wish to commend you for your actions. On behalf of the Kansas City, MO Police Department, please accept my thank you and appreciation for your assistance in our officer's safety and work." says Kirchhoff.

Emergency Response operators put their own safety on the line every day to help others during traffic incidents. Carlos’ actions are a prime example of what emergency response operators face daily and his quick actions were certainly heroic.

"One thing that I will never forget is how many times the KCPD officers thanked me that evening. No one has ever thanked me that much in my life,” Carlos finishes.

Letter from KCPD to Carlos Campos

 

Emergency Responders Enhance Safety With a Simple Snow Plow

Across the Kansas City metro area, emergency response operators rely on various equipment to keep not only motorists moving safely, but to keep themselves safe as well. One such piece of equipment is a snow plow attached to an emergency response truck.

With winter weather just around the corner, it’s easy to assume that snow plows are exclusively for clearing snow from the roadways. The emergency response employees at MoDOT, however, use the plows to perform a variety of tasks in a much safer way.

Attaching plows to emergency response vehicles allows crews to clean debris from drain tops, remove rock and dirt, and other various anomalies such as tree limbs, debris, and even animals along the interstate all from the safety of their vehicle.

“Ideas to use our resources in a variety of ways are implemented to keep our operators from being on foot in a lane of traffic,” explains KC Scout Incident Management Coordinator, Marcus Slaughter, “This reduces the risk of serious injury or worse to emergency and first responders,” he finishes.

One example of this dates back to July 2019 when a semi-truck carrying a load of pig intestines lost its load and consequently dumped animal parts across Interstate 670. The incident shut down three of the four available lanes. Emergency response crews arrived on scene with a truck with a snow plow attached to help push the mess to the side of the road.

 In 2019, KC Scout responded to more than 35,000 incidents on metro roadways. That’s more than 35,000 times a motorist had a flat tire, a semi overturned during rush hour or debris littered a high-speed lane.

Each time, these incident responders were putting their safety on the line to clear the incident and return traffic to normal as quickly as possible. Keeping these responders off of the roadway when possible is critical to their safety.

Innovations Challenge submissions extended to Dec. 31

 The deadline to submit submissions to the district for the 2020 Innovations Challenge has been extended to Dec. 31. If you have an innovation that improves safety, service or stability you could win money for your contribution. View the flier below to read more about the contest.  

Drive-thru flu shots provides convenience and safety

This year Safety organized drive-thru flu shot clinics at the district maintenance sheds. The efforts proved successful, with 93 flu shots given. There were seven shots at Richmond, 13 at Sedalia, 28 at Belton and 45 at Lee’s Summit East.

If you still need a flu shot, it is not too late. 

There are several convenient ways to receive the flu shot at no cost, such as:

 

• Your Primary Care Physician
• An in-network pharmacy (Walmart, CVS, Hy-Vee, Target, Sam's Club, etc.) 
• Local health department
  
  
  
  
  

Some retail pharmacies are offering incentives for receiving your flu shot with them, such as fuel points or store gift cards. As a bonus, receiving your flu shot even helps you earn the $100 It Pays to be Well Incentive.

Angel Tree goes virtual

The holiday season is not far away and the Kansas City Employee Assistance Fund (KC EAF) is offering you the opportunity to help members of the MoDOT Kansas City Family.

We are looking for MoDOT families to consider. We ask that applicants demonstrate the circumstances of the family’s need and a “wish list” of items to make the holiday brighter, by completing and submitting the application at the following link: ADOPT A FAMILY APPLICATION.

If you are having any issues submitting an application please contact Krystal Jolly at (816) 607-2042 or by email at Krystal.Jolly@modot.mo.gov.

If you are interested in donating a good or service for the MoDOT Kansas City Employee Assistance Council Extension (KCEAEC) Silent Auction in late November please fill out this commitment form so that we may gather preliminary information to build our auction site: Auction Item Commitment Form. Please complete the commitment form no later than Wednesday, November 4, 2020. Proceeds will go to the Adopt A Family program.

A good can be homemade, purchased, or donated directly to you from someone/a business and then donated from you to the EAEC. A service can be anything offered on a one time or continual deal including lawn services, cleaning, design, etc. 

If there are any questions please contact the EAF at EAF@modot.mo.gov.

Sign up now for the Charitable Campaign

The Missouri State Employee Charitable Campaign is underway. This year’s campaign is being administered differently due to the ongoing global pandemic and the work from home situation. Normally pledge cards are distributed at Fall meetings, but those are virtual this year. 

The need of so many Missourians is greater now than ever. While it is true that everyone has been impacted by these circumstances, we are also aware that there are those in our communities who have been hit much harder than we have. We want you to have the opportunity to give as easily as possible if you choose to do so.

This year’s campaign will be entirely virtual and will be held until the end of October, with information shared through e-mail, SharePoint, virtual Fall Meetings, and other avenues on how and where to donate.

There will be no fundraising events, and there will be no paper pledge cards or incentive items handed out.

Here are the tools you need to participate:

• OA’s Employee Self-Service portal – It requires creating an account on the OA ESS portal and then the process is very simple. It only works for payroll deductions, not one-time contributions.
  
  
• SharePoint’s Pledge Form – This online tool is easy to use and works for both payroll deductions and one-time deductions.
  
  
• fillable PDF pledge cards. – Use this for those who are more comfortable with a format that looks like the traditional paper pledge card.

You can go to the MSECC SharePoint site where information, directions and links to donation portals have been posted. 

The deadline for the campaign is Friday, October 30. If you have any questions, you can email MSECC@modot.mo.gov.

KC wins big at Innovations Challenge

The Kansas City District represented itself well at this year's Innovations Challenge Showcase. Even though MoDOT held the showcase virtually this year, the awards are real. 

MoDOT employees received the highest mention in the following categories: 

Productivity

Signals and Lighting Training Facility submitted by Scott Brelsford, Chris Weikel and Nathan Mounce.

Projects

Scout WAZE Integration submitted by Randy Johnson, Kelly Alvarez and Michael Flory.

Tool and Equipment

Reflective Door Strips submitted by Lisa Raybourn, Brian Burger, Robert Vohs, Michelle Bolden, Chris Karlin and Jacob Wilson.

Bobcat Paver submitted by Robert Davis and Dan Duncan.

Director's Stability Award

EAC Resource Center submitted by James Miles, Krystal Jolley and the KCEAEC. 

 

Calling all veterans

 

Refer a new employee, receive $250

 

To help address immediate hiring needs, current salaried employees are eligible for a $250.00 incentive for referring maintenance workers.  This program is authorized for the 2020-2021 winter operations period and should not be considered a permanent program.  To be eligible for the program, the following criteria must be met.

Regarding the newly hired maintenance worker:

• Applicant must report the referral on his or her application.  Note: If more than one name is entered into the referral text field on the application, only the first person listed will be eligible to receive the incentive.
• Applicant must be a first time hire with the Missouri Department of Transportation and must be hired on or after August 1, 2020.

• Applicant must be hired into one of the following positions:
• Emergency Maintenance Equipment Operator
• Seasonal Maintenance Worker
• Maintenance Worker
• Intermediate Maintenance Worker
• Senior Maintenance Worker
• Maintenance Crew Leader
• Bridge Maintenance Worker
• Bridge Intermediate Maintenance Worker
• Bridge Senior Maintenance Worker
• Bridge Maintenance Crew Leader
• Seasonal Bridge Maintenance Worker
• Applicant must meet the following employment parameters:
• If hired as an Emergency Maintenance Equipment Operator or Seasonal Maintenance Worker, the employee must be hired between August 1,2020, and March 31, 2021, and must record a minimum of 72 hours in snow operations (R913).
• If hired as a Maintenance Worker, Intermediate Maintenance Worker, Senior Maintenance Worker, Maintenance Crew Leader, Bridge Maintenance Worker, Bridge Intermediate Maintenance Worker, Bridge Senior Maintenance Worker, or Bridge Maintenance Crew Leader, the employee must be hired after August 1, 2020, and continue employment through March 31, 2021.
• If the applicant is a relative of the referrer, see Personnel Policy 0503, “Employment of Relatives,” for specific provisions/requirements.

Regarding the referrer:

• Employee must be in good standing and employed at the time the employment parameters have been met by the newly hired maintenance worker, as noted above.
• Employee cannot be a member of the senior management team or a human resources employee.
• Employee cannot have hiring, retention, or decision-making authority/responsibility over the position the applicant is hired into.
• Employee can only receive up to two referral incentives per calendar year.

 Process:

• Applicant enters the referrer’s name on his or her application.  If no referrer’s name is entered on the application, no referrer incentive will be provided.
• Central Office HR generates a monthly report, which is verified to see if the guidelines of the program have been met.  The names of the employees eligible to receive an incentive at that time will be forwarded to Central Office Financial Services for processing.

Drive-thru flu shots coming soon

 

Like most things this year, COVID has altered how we are able to provide flu shots for our employees. We partnered with Healthy Solutions and will be able to offer drive-thru clinics for you and your families to utilize for flu shots! Healthy Solutions can provide flu shots to anyone on MoDOT/MSHP insurance that is 5-years of age and above. Anyone who is pregnant must let Risk Management know two weeks prior to your clinic date.

We have designated areas across our District to ensure each employee and their family will have the ability to participate.

Supervisors, please be flexible in working with employees especially if they are going to be meeting/bringing their families through.

Here are a few things to know:

• Everyone must sign-up in order to participate. If you are bringing other members of your family, you must sign each person up individually. Please contact Courtney to sign-up.

• Everyone is required to stay in their vehicles throughout the entire process.

• Everyone participating must have a signed consent form and copy of their insurance card/s prior to the date you signed up for. Please forward those documents to Courtney in Risk Management once completed. This form is attached but if needed contact Risk Management and we will get you one.

• Everyone must wear a mask at the time of your appointment and ensure your arm is easily accessible.

Here are the times and locations for the drive-thru flu shots. 

Richmond MT Shed-

Oct. 19, 8 – 11 a.m.

• Lee’s Summit MT Shed-

Oct. 26, 8 – 11 a.m.

• Nashua MT Shed-

Oct. 28, 8 – 11 a.m.

• Belton MT Shed-

Oct. 29, 8 – 11 a.m.

• Sedalia MT Shed-

Oct. 30, 8 – 11 a.m.

You do need an appointment and a signed consent form to receive a flu shot. See below for the form. Contact Courtney Thompson at (816) 489-2268 or Eric Ramsey at (816) 607-2048 if you have any questions. 

Congratulations service, safety award recipients

 

This year's service and safety awards didn't look like the celebrations of year's past. Because of Covid-19 we did not have a ceremony or luncheon, but we do want to acknowledge this year's recipients. Below are links to videos with this year's service and safety award winners. Please, wish these coworkers congratulations in a socially distanced way. 

• Safety awards
• 5-year service awards
• 10- and 15-year service awards
• 20-year service awards
• 25- and 30-year service awards

Annual Sweep Leave FAQ

Central Office recently extended the time employees are allowed to use excess annual leave in 2020 from Oct. 31 to Dec. 31. Below are some frequently asked questions on this change.  

FAQ:

Currently, I exceed my maximum annual leave accumulation and will likely exceed it on October 31.  If I accumulate more hours in the months of November and December, will I need to use those hours by the end of December as well, as not to exceed the maximum at that time?  Yes, according to the emergency rule, the lapse will be of annual leave which exceeds the maximum, based on years of service (shown in the chart below), as of December 31, 2020.  Any remaining balance exceeding the maximum allowed balance as of December 31, 2020 will be swept. 

To better illustrate this, consider the following example.  Let’s say you are a full-time employee that has 15 or more years of Missouri State government service with an accrual limit of 336 hours.  So, your annual leave accrual rate per pay period is 7 hours.  Let’s also say on October 31, 2020 you will have 2 hours of annual leave in excess of your 336 hours maximum, but you will accumulate an additional 28 hours for the months of November and December.  In this example, you will need to use a total of 30 hours of annual leave prior to December 31, 2020, or the 30 hours will be swept.

What happens if I’m not able to use my excess annual leave prior to the December 31, 2020 leave sweep date?  All hours over the allowed limit will be swept on December 31, 2020.  Per Personnel Policy 3511, ShareLeave Program, this time is considered lost annual leave since it occurs when an employee’s annual leave balance exceeds the maximum permissible accumulation leave.  Such lost time will be deemed as being voluntarily donated to the ShareLeave Program, unless an employee directly opts out.

I am currently under my maximum annual leave balance and am not projected to be over on October 31, 2020.  Does the annual leave sweep apply to me?  The annual leave sweep applies to you if you will be over your maximum annual leave balance based on your years of service, as of December 31, 2020 for this year due to the extension.  If you were projected to be over, or over your maximum balance, you should have been contacted by your supervisor.  Each district/division/office has been sent a list of employees over or approaching their maximum annual leave balances that was shared with their supervisor.  If areas have not received their listings yet, please notify your local payroll contact.

Is the leave extension information for all employees, or just for those who worked in the 32-hour Shared Work Program?  The leave extension information is for all employees, but it is only applicable to employees who will be over their maximum annual leave balance.  If an employee is over their maximum annual leave balance as of October 31, 2020, any leave exceeding the balance will carry over through December 31, 2020 for this year due to the extension.  Any remaining balance exceeding the maximum allowed balance based on their years of service, as of December 31, 2020 will be swept.

Is there a way an employee can opt out of the extension and go with the original deadline of October 31, 2020?  No.  The deadline for all State of Missouri employees, including MoDOT, is December 31, 2020 for this year. 
 

I’m a supervisor and have employees who will be impacted by the annual leave sweep.  These same employees will be a part of winter operations.  What are my options during the months of October, November, and December when the used leave is to be taken, but winter operations are needed?  Leave usage during winter operations will be addressed in the same manner as in the past requiring employees to request leave usage through the Guaranteed Snow Leave Request program established in each district.  This includes safety-sensitive non-maintenance supplemental snow plow operators salary grades 14 and below. 
 

I’m an employee who is over my maximum leave balance and will need to use my excess annual leave, but I will also be involved with winter operations.  If bad weather occurs during the months in which the excess leave should be taken, what are my options?  Leave usage during winter operations will be addressed in the same manner as in the past requiring employees to request leave usage through the Guaranteed Snow Leave Request program established in each district.  This includes safety sensitive non-maintenance supplemental snow plow operators salary grades 14 and below. 

 

Why can’t December 31 be a permanent change to the annual leave sweep to make it easier to manage at the end of the calendar year versus the October 31 date?  The October 31 date for the annual leave sweep is a state rule that applies to all State of Missouri agencies. We would not be able to change such a rule just for MoDOT.  Knowing that many employees have been unable to use accumulated annual leave due to the critical nature of their role during the COVID-19 pandemic, the State of Missouri’s Personnel Advisory Board approved the filing of an emergency rule that would allow leave in excess of the applicable maximum allowable accumulations be extended to lapse at the close of business on December 31, 2020 for just this year.

 

Why can’t we just get paid the hours over our maximum?  This is not an option, as doing so would not follow the State of Missouri rule that applies to accumulated annual leave balances.

 

Will our leave balances be corrected by December 31, for employees that participated in the Shared Work Program?  Yes, employees will be able to see correct leave balances on their October 15^th pay stubs.

 

If you have additional questions, please contact your local HR Representative.