The American College of Greece

Human Resources

ACG continues to place the highest priority on the health, safety and wellbeing of the ACG Community. This section describes the Health and Safety practices that our college has developed in order to provide a safe working environment for ACG employees.

All ACG Faculty & Staff should adopt the following Hygiene practices to prevent COVID-19:

Practice social distancing

All employees returning to campus are required to practice social distancing. The Practice of social distancing includes:

Staying at least 1.5 m from others
Separate work stations by at least 1.5 m or using plexiglass for physical barriers (e.g., shields, curtains)
Avoiding large gatherings of employees (greater than 10 people) when feasible
Eliminating contact with others (e.g., hand-shaking, hugging)
Avoiding touching common surfaces
Ensuring frequent washing of hands
Encouraging employees to take the stairs and avoid elevators: As directed by public authorities, the use of elevators is limited to individuals who are unable to use the stairs (physically handicapped/health condition) and at 40% capacity or for the transportation of supplies that cannot be carried upstairs.
Staggering work schedules and lunch breaks. Disinfection of hands is strongly recommended before and after the lunch break. Also, all employees are strongly encouraged to plan their meetings remotely.
Limiting in-person meetings to fewer than 10 people and maintaining at least 1.5 m spacing in large spaces. Remote meetings should be planned.
Avoid taking same vehicle
Watch for posters and signage throughout campus advising to maintain a 1.5 m distance from others as per guidelines.

Use of face mask

A face mask is mandatory in all indoor and outdoor spaces.

Hand Sanitizers

Frequent and proper hand washing with soap and water is the most effective method of removing viral particles. However, when that is not possible, alcohol-based hand sanitizer can be used. As such, hand sanitizer will be made available in every office and classroom.

Avoid sharing foods and drinks

All employees are encouraged to avoid sharing foods and drinks. Disinfection of any appliances before and after the use is strongly recommended.

Avoid sharing office supplies and equipment

All employees are encouraged to avoid sharing office supplies and equipment. Disinfection of shared equipment before and after the use is strongly recommended.

Avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands

Cover coughs and sneezes

Employees Screening, testing and isolation

All employees should monitor their health every day before reporting to work.
ACG Faculty and staff should stay home if sick or if a household member is diagnosed with COVID-19
Employees must be prepared to isolate or quarantine when necessary
All employees must self-monitor health for symptoms of COVID-19
If an employee develops symptoms, or is diagnosed with the COVID-19 virus, she/he should consult the physician and the occupational health doctor for instructions
If an employee develops symptoms, or is diagnosed with the COVID-19 virus, she/he should inform the supervisor to discuss alternative methods of work
If an employee has been exposed to the virus through a close contact who has symptoms or has been diagnosed, consult the physician and the occupational doctor for further steps
If an employee is at work and starts experiencing symptoms, she/he must leave immediately from the work, seeking medical help/advice if needed/required
Finally, if an employee has been diagnosed with the virus, the Human Resources department should be notified immediately, so that the College, as directed by EODY, can take appropriate steps to safe guard the colleagues and students with whom you may have come in close contact.

Positive COVID-19 test

If a test for COVID-19 is completed and the result is positive, the employee should be immediately isolated from the rest of the employee and follow the quarantine procedures outlined in the rules set forth by the College as recommended by The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Hellenic National Public Health Organization (EODY), including any travel restrictions.

The Human Resources department should:

Collect essential information from the individual for tracing purposes, such as visited areas, contacts, dates they were on campus, etc.
Contact the department’s representative
Notify the ACG Health & Wellness Center
Notify ACG facilities for additional cleaning
Notify exposed employees
Follow up for additional testing updates
Advanced cleaning methods to all visiting areas

Negative COVID-19 test

If a test for COVID-19 test is completed and the result is negative, the employee can return to work 24 hours after their symptoms are gone.

Travel to Work

Employees travel to work in various ways, including personal vehicles, campus buses and public transportation. Departments should encourage employees to

Maintain physical distancing recommendations of 1.5 m when traveling to work.
Where physical distancing is not possible or difficult to maintain, employees should be encouraged to wear face coverings
Take additional measures to protect themselves by frequent cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces in personal vehicles
Sanitize hands with personal hand sanitizer after exiting the vehicle.

Guidance for ACG Facilities

All ACG buildings, offices & facilities approved for reopening and occupancy are cleaned on a regular basis, too. ACG’s Safety Engineer has examined and recommended the appropriate social distances for all spaces on campus. Technical plans have been drawn up for classrooms and labs to reflect and apply the directions set forth for 1.5 meters between all individuals (students, faculty and staff) and no more than 1 person per 10 square meters. Appropriate distancing for larger spaces – theater, amphitheater – will be applied once they are in use. For offices where plexiglass has not been installed, adjustments to staff working hours and change of office space may be considered after consultation with supervisors in order to comply with appropriate distances of 1.5 m between individuals and 1 person per 10 square meters.

Everyone returning to campus has the responsibility and the power to keep ACG campus safe. Health information signage is in the process of being updated across campus, and all departments obtain hand sanitizer and surface cleaning wipes through the normal office supply purchasing process.

Building entries and exit

Hand sanitizer stations will be provided at the entries/exits of each high-traffic building as determined by facilities. All employees are strongly recommended to avoid congregating in close proximity during entry into buildings, and should maintain adequate social distancing.

Use of Elevators

As directed by public authorities, the use of elevators is limited to individuals who are unable to use the stairs (physically handicapped/health condition) and at 40% capacity or for the transportation of supplies that cannot be carried upstairs.

Use of Water Fountains

Drinking from the water fountains is not permitted.

ACG Athletic Facilities

ACG Athletic facilities should follow recommended risk mitigation strategies along with health department guidelines.

Provide disinfectant and paper towels in all rooms and near equipment.
Clean and disinfect all common touchpoints and equipment, such as treadmills, weight machines, and similar items after each use.
Provide signs that explain the disinfection requirements and proper disinfection procedures. Implement no-touch entry or check-ins where possible.
Encourage people to bring their own water bottles and drinks.
Advise people to stay home if they are ill.
Class sizes and equipment must be spaced to accommodate physical distancing (at least 6 feet between people and equipment).

Emergency Evacuations

For emergency evacuations that occur the social distancing measures have to be followed according to the regulations and guidelines proposed by Governmental authorities. Physical distancing shall be maintained when possible during these scenarios.

Signage

Effective use of signage can be a very easy way to remind people to reduce their risk or let visitors know you are looking out for your employees.