2021-02-10 Merit Appeals Board Minutes

Home

Merit Appeals Board February 10, 2021 I have yet to see it starting to hit the fast-food workers—it hasn't hit any—it has those doors have not been open to us. So, that's my comment. And if you have any mana on that, please do something about it. MR. BRILHANTE: Thank you very much, Chair. In response to that, it'sit was very interestingcoincidental ly, this morning I just drafted an email and sent it to one of the HR department reps., kind of, raising the same type of issues regarding the frustration that the County, itself, is experiencing. And I'm not sure if everybody knows, but the vaccination procedures, protocols, and response, and applications are solely in the hands of the Department of Health—State Department of Health—and we're subject to their requirements, whatever protocols they set forth. Unfortunately, we don't play much of a role in that process. We're just told what's being available, when it's available, and who's available to receive it. All we do from the County standpoint, as it relates to our employees—is we provide a name and a unique email address. And that, in of itself—the back and forth between the Department of Health and us—is challenging. And just to get that unique email address in place has been a challenge for us. And then, once the address gets inputted into the system, then the employee has to go and register independently through VAMS—and that's a challenge. I think what's most frustrating to the employees who face those challenges is there's no point of contact, the responses come back to me or our office"Eh, I'm having this problem" or "This is a problem and I can't do this or I can't do that" and "How come my name's not being pulled up. I was placed on the list over a month ago" but it's frustrating for us because our response to them is"But, for the County providing the names and email address of each employees, that's the extent of our involvement." I think it would be helpful if the State were able to set up some type of, maybe, separate entity — a third party who would be the point of contact for the registration. Right now we're currently at the 1B level of critical infrastructure employees. If the State could set up that separate entity who, in and of itself, would just be responsible for the registration process point of contact for employees or the public trying to register and navigate through the process, I think that would be helpful. But, right now, it can't be the County. The reason for that is because the subject of the registration is protected privileged information—healthcare information. Even names of employees who agree to take the vaccination is privileged under the healthcare regulations. So, that's the frustrating part and I think a lot of people are experiencing it. So, I'm sure they share in your sentiments, Chair. The other thing, I apologizeI meant to welcome new Board members, Ms. Cabanas and Ms. Mathews, on board. Thank you very much for agreeing to volunteer your time and services for such a worthwhile cause here. So, welcome on board. I can't assure it'd be exciting but it will definitely be something that you won't fall asleep on. So, with that, thank you very much. Page 6