Employee Resources |
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COVID-19 Informative Links:
Alameda County Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) - http://www.acphd.org/2019-ncov.aspx
Safer Federal Workplace - Latest Guidance: https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/new/
- UPDATE on Mandatory Federal Employee Vaccination - posted Jan 22, 2022: https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/faq/vaccinations/ [updated Jan 27, 2022]
- Frequently Asked Questions Related to Compliance with the Applicable Preliminary Nationwide Injunction on Implementation and Enforcement of the Vaccination Requirement Pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14043 - Guidance to Agencies as of January 24, 2022 [pdf]
- COVID-19 Workplace Safety - Sep 13, 2021: Safer Federal Workforce Task Force COVID-19 Workplace Safety: Agency Model Safety Principles [pdf]
Latest guidance for ARS Employees on Axon - https://axon.ars.usda.gov/Employee Tools/Pages/COVID-19-Coronavirus-Information.aspx
- UPDATED: COVID Mask Guidance - Mar 4, 2022: Email from the USDA Future of Work Taskforce [pdf]
- Update - Return to Work - Feb 8, 2022: Email from ARS Associate Administrator Liu [pdf]
- UPDATE - Vaccine Mandate - Jan 21, 2022: Email from the USDA COVID-19 Taskforce [pdf]
- Also see these frequently updated documents:
- COVID-19 Workers' Compensation Claims - Mar 28, 2022: AFM-22-178 [pdf; see attachments on Axon OWCP page]
- Updated FAQs on Remote Work and Telework (posted Jan 20, 2022): https://axon.ars.usda.gov/HRD/REE-Work-Life-Programs/Documents/ARS Remote Work and Telework FAQs Jan 20 2022.pdf
- See https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/faq/leave/ for updated administrative leave policy for COVID-19 vaccinations during work hours (as of Jan 21, 2022)
- Superceded during injunction: Duty Time for COVID-19 Vaccinations (First and Second Doses) - Updated Leave and T&A Guidance for COVID-19 Vaccinations (Oct 25, 2021; pdf)
- For obtaining COVID-19 booster shots, up to four hours of administrative leave may be granted, if approved in advance and time occurs during the employee's normal workday.
- For adverse reactions, an employee is authorized up to two days of administrative leave. If more than two workdays are needed to recover, the employee may use their own leave or may be eligible to file a worker's compensation claim. See FECA Bulletin 22-01.
- Administrative Leave for COVID-19 Vaccinations for Family Members - Aug 13, 2021: AFM-21-239 https://axon.ars.usda.gov/AFM/Documents/2021-8-13 Administrative Leave for COVID-19 Vaccinations for Family Members.pdf
- Leave Flexibilities for COVID 19 Issues - Apr 14, 2022 - AFM-22-203; attachment: 02-18-22 REE memo [pdf]
- Using Emergency Paid Leave (Mar 11, 2021 through Sep 30, 2021) - Find necessary forms here: https://axon.ars.usda.gov/HRD/Pages/Pay-and-Leave.aspx#EPL
- Emergency Paid Leave.pdf [USDA OHRM memo May 2021]
- Frequently Asked Questions [attachment 1]
- Emergency Paid Leave – Corrected Timesheets - Feb 4, 2022: AFM-22-135 Guidance on retroactive use [pdf]
CDC Pandemic Resources:
- COVID-19 Community Levels - Mar 3, 2022: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/community-levels.html
- Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People - Jul 28, 2021: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html
- Coronavirus (COVID-19): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
- About Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/about/index.html
- Pandemic Influenza: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic-resources/index.htm
Executive Order on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees - Sept 9, 2021: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/09/09/executive-order-on-requiring-coronavirus-disease-2019-vaccination-for-federal-employees/
Planning for a Safe Increased Return of Federal Employees and Contractors to Physical Workplaces, and for Effective, Efficient, and Inclusive Post-Reentry Work Environments - Jun 10, 2021: OMB Briefing Room post https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/briefing-room/2021/06/10/planning-for-a-safe-increased-return-of-federal-employees-and-contractors-to-physical-workplaces-and-for-effective-efficient-and-inclusive-post-reentry-work-environments/; OMB Memorandum M-21-25 [pdf]
USDA Be Prepared - https://www.dm.usda.gov/beprepared/Covid19.htm
- The Big Three: Answers from the Future of Work Taskforce:
- May 13, 2022 Email [pdf]
- May 6, 2022 Email [pdf]
- Apr 29, 2022 Email [pdf]
- Apr 22, 2022 Email [pdf]
- Apr 15, 2022 Email [pdf]
- Apr 8, 2022 Email [pdf]
- Apr 1, 2022 Email [pdf]
- Mar 25, 2022 Email [pdf]
- Mar 18, 2022 Email [pdf]
- Mar 11, 2022 Email [pdf]
- Feb 25, 2022 Email [pdf]
- Feb 4, 2022 Email [pdf]
- Jan 28, 2022 Email [pdf]
- Jan 28, 2022 Email [pdf]
- Jan 21, 2022 Email [pdf]
- Jan 13, 2022 Email [pdf]
- Jan 4, 2022 Email [pdf]
- Dec 16, 2021 Email [pdf]
- Dec 8, 2021 Email [pdf]
- Future of Work - New Resource - Mar 21, 2022: Email from the USDA Future of Work Taskforce [pdf]
- USDA Future of Work Toolkit: https://www.usda.gov/our-agency/future-of-work
- UPDATED: COVID Mask Guidance - Mar 4, 2022: Email from the USDA Future of Work Taskforce [pdf]
- UPDATE - Vaccine Mandate - Jan 21, 2022: Email from the USDA COVID-19 Taskforce [pdf]
- UPDATE - Return to Work - Jan 31, 2022: Email from the Office of the Secretary [pdf]
- UPDATE - Timeline for Phased Return to Physical Workplace Extended - Dec 22, 2021: Email from the Office of the Secretary [pdf]
- USDA's Phased Return to the Physical Workplace - Timeline and Resources - Nov 30, 2021: Email from the Office of the Secretary [pdf]
- Frequently Asked Questions: Re-entry and the Future of Work [pdf; updated Apr 6, 2022]
- USDA Workplace Safety Plan - Mar 31, 2022: http://www.usda.gov/coronavirus/workplacesafetyplan
OPM Future of Work: Re-entry Guidance - https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/future-of-work/re-entry-guidance/
- Revised Guide to Telework and Remote Work in the Federal Government - Nov 12, 2021: 2021 Guide to Telework and Remote Work in the Federal Government [pdf]
- Frequently Asked Questions on Federal Workforce Management Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic
- OPM Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) - 2020 Guidance:
- OPM Summary Dec 30, 2020: OPM Summary of Statutory and Regulatory Requirements in Connection with the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (EPSLA) [pdf] Application to Federal Employees
- OPM Memorandum Jun 18, 2020: Annual Leave and Other Paid Time Off Guidance [pdf]
- OPM Fact Sheet May 27, 2020: The Use of Flexible Work Schedules in Response to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
- OPM FAQ Apr 23, 2020: Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Resumption of Normal Workforce Operations
- OPM Fact Sheet Apr 7, 2020: Federal Employee Coverage under the Leave Provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) [pdf] Note: see Axon for ARS-specific implementation; expired Dec 31, 2020.
- OPM Fact Sheet Mar 27, 2020: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/covid-19/options-for-telework-eligible-employees-with-caregiving-responsibilities/
- OPM Fact Sheet Mar 19, 2020: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/covid-19/fact-sheet-additional-guidance-in-connection-with-the-covid-19-emergency/
- FAQ Mar 19, 2020: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/covid-19/frequently-asked-questions-on-evacuation-payments-during-a-pandemic-health-crisis/
Emergency Alert Notification System: Omnilert
https://axon.ars.usda.gov/Employee Tools/Pages/Omnilert.aspx
Sign up through the Axon Omnilert webpage (above) to receive employee alerts for: building closures, emergency activities, shutdown information, and other time-sensitive notifications during a disaster, crisis, or major Agency emergency.
eAuthentication - https://www.eauth.usda.gov/eauth/b/usda/home
An account is necessary to access several online employee resources, including the following:
- WebTA - https://wta.nfc.usda.gov/usda/ Electronic time and attendance.
- Employee Personal Page (EPP) - https://www.nfc.usda.gov/epps/ Website for viewing earnings & leave statements, benefit selections, etc., and making changes when appropriate.
- Electronic Official Personnel Folder (eOPF) - https://eopf.opm.gov/usdalanding/ Website for viewing Federal employees' official records and documents.
ADSelfService Plus will be decommissioned Jul 30, 2021 - https://axon.ars.usda.gov/ITSD/Pages/ITSD-Communication.aspx
See Axon ITSD Communication 7/26/2021 for new instructions to reset ARS e-mail password.
U.S. Bank Access Online - https://access.usbank.com/
Website for GSA SmartPay purchase and travel cardholders only.
Administrative and Financial Management (AFM) - https://axon.ars.usda.gov/AFM/Pages/Home.aspx
Access to information for REE employees requires LincPass or eAuthentication.
Axon Employee Tools - https://axon.ars.usda.gov/Employee Tools/
This page lists additional key websites for ARS employees, including policy & procedures, bulletins, manuals and forms. Access requires LincPass or eAuthentication.