As the Nation comes together to slow the spread of COVID-19, on March 16th, the President issued updated Coronavirus Guidance for America. This guidance states that:
“If you work in a critical infrastructure industry, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, such as healthcare services and pharmaceutical and food supply, you have a special responsibility to maintain your normal work schedule.”
All Pool Troopers should be proud of this designation and help our country and communities get through this crisis. All employees will carry the attached card while traveling on company business which designates them as “Essential” to our country’s infrastructure.
As such that we are considered essential workers for our infrastructure, we will make every accommodation for you to keep you safe and our communities safe. Many of you have no doubt seen “shelter in place” and similar directives issues in various states, counties and cities around the country. Our leadership team is working with federal, state and local jurisdictions daily to ensure we comply with these policies, and we will continue to provide clarification and guidance as we learn more.
Currently, all Pool Trooper locations in the US will remain open unless specifically directed otherwise. All jurisdictions have specific exclusions for “essential businesses” that should remain open for important public health, safety and infrastructure purposes. The care, maintenance, and sanitation of residential pools is deemed an essential service in All Pool Trooper locations. Because we are deemed essential, we expect all locations to remain open throughout. During this situation we will continue to take the proper precautions to protect our employees and customers from spreading Covid-19.
All employees should continue operations as directed by management. We are monitoring the situation across the country and will provide updated guidance if there are any changes.
Business identification cards are included with this email which can be printed, cut and kept on your possession should you be questioned by any authority while conducting company business or while you are on your way to or from one of our locations. There is an 800-number printed on the card including an afterhours to a corporate representative who can explain our business exemption to the caller.
Of course, it is important that you continue to follow our enhanced Safety policies to protect yourselves, each other, and our customers. It is worth repeating a few key directions here:
- Wash your hands with soap & water for 20 seconds regularly; this is the single best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19!
- If you are sick, stay home and inform your manager
- All non-essential business travel is on hold
- Maintain social distancing as much as possible
- Follow the guidelines on regularly cleaning your work areas, focusing on surfaces that are often touched
- Take care of your physical and emotional health outside of work; Contact HR if you need additional counseling.
Additional guidelines for employees
In general wash your hands more than normal and keep a respectful 6 feet from other people. These precautions should help keep us all safe in the community.
To office Troopers: If you work in the office and have a fever please stay home. Otherwise please come to work and support the Troopers in the field working daily taking care of client’s homes. In the office please plan on washing your hands thoroughly at least 3 times during the workday, and feel free to sanitize your workspace as often as you see fit. We are currently working on plans to work from home when appropriate.
To ALL Troopers in the Field: Our jobs do not require large group or personal contact, so we will be working. We all know and understand the Spring Season is vital to the pools we are in charge of. Route techs will be expected to work their normal Monday through Friday. Please be respectful at people’s homes and keep a safe 6 plus feet away from clients and pool users. If you have any cough, fever or cold symptoms please communicate with your coach and do not attend team meetings in person. Discuss with the coach your route etc. if you are truly ill you will need to stay home. When on your route smile and wave at clients from a distance and avoid shaking hands or other up-close greetings.
If you pick up from supply houses be sure to wash your hands after any personal contact before you start on your route. If you pick up from a warehouse, please wash after loading before heading out to the route.
Coaches, Mechanics and OP’s when dealing with clients: If you need to speak with clients do so from a respectful distance of at least 6 feet. Ask clients up front if they are comfortable talking in person or if they would like to communicate via the phone. Be respectful of people’s concerns and allow them extra space when talking in person or accommodate their concerns as you can. If knocking on doors back away from the door more than normal after knocking and ask how the client would like to communicate. If possible, call versus knocking, even if you are on property and allow the client to talk to you via the phone versus in person.
Our Families: If individual family concerns arise during this time please reach out to your coach who will communicate with the home office. We are family and will have each other’s backs during this situation. We all will work hard and protect each other jobs.
