we're following guidelines and monitoring the crisis
Select Randstad branches are open but limited due to the restrictions that allow us to go safely back to work in this new normal. No matter the environment, all Randstad branches are ready to serve you.
- Randstad US employees have remote access to company tools and resources. They're still reachable and available to you.
- In-person meetings will be limited. Interactions will take place over phone, email, instant message or video conferencing where possible. If an in-person meeting is necessary, additional precautions will be enforced.
As the situation evolves, we will continue to make updates.
frequently asked questions - how to stay healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic
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how can I avoid getting sick?
The most effective way to stop the spread of COVID-19 is washing your hands often, and properly. Please follow these guidelines to help reduce the risk of infection or spreading infection to others:
- Get vaccinated against COVID-19.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Learn the CDC’s recommended method in this video.
- Use alcohol-based sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
- Limit contact with others (for example, avoid shaking hands).
- Practice appropriate social distancing.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Regularly clean commonly used surfaces and devices you touch or handle.
- Wear face coverings when required/recommended to do so.
- Avoid close contact with people who may be sick, especially if they have a fever, cough or difficulty breathing.
- Do not share food from packets or bowls that are shared with others.
- Monitor your health daily.
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what do i do if i think i’ve been exposed to COVID-19?
If you suspect that you’ve been exposed to COVID-19, refrain from self-diagnosing. COVID-19 may display little or no symptoms.
- Call your healthcare professional immediately for appropriate guidance.
- If you are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19, do not report to work until at least fourteen (14) days have passed since your last potential exposure, you have been symptom-free for a period of 24 hours and it has been at least ten (10) days since you first experienced symptoms.
- If you have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, you may continue to report to work provided you are not experiencing any COVID-19-related symptoms. If you are displaying COVID-19-related symptoms, do not report to work until you have been symptom-free for a period of 24 hours and it has been at least ten (10) days since you first experienced symptoms.
- Follow your normal procedures for reporting an absence: Contact your local Randstad representative and/or your client supervisor to communicate that you believe you have been exposed.
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the client company i work for has no proper hygiene products. whom should i address this concern with?
Please notify your local Randstad representative and your client contact at your worksite if appropriate preventative measures are not in place at the site.
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i’m pregnant and don't feel comfortable going to work and risking exposure to COVID-19. what should i do?
Randstad follows CDC guidelines, which state that “pregnant women should do the same things as the general public to avoid infection.” In some cases, a work-from-home arrangement may be possible. However, these arrangements will be made on a case-by-case basis and are highly dependent upon the specific company to which you are assigned, as well as your job duties, the company’s requirements, technological capabilities and other relevant factors.
If you are eligible for a leave of absence entitlement, sick leave or paid time off (PTO), you may request pay for work missed. However, if you are unable to report to work and you are ineligible for sick leave, PTO or other protected paid leave, you will not be paid for hours not worked. Pregnancy alone is not considered a disability under the ADA, so unless you have a pregnancy-related condition that would qualify as a disability, you would not be eligible for an ADA accommodation. If you do have a pregnancy-related complication that would make you eligible for a workplace accommodation, please contact your Randstad representative.
concerns and guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic
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should i tell others at my work location about possible exposure to COVID-19?
In an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19, you must notify your Randstad representative if you believe you may have contracted the virus or been exposed to it. You are not required to share personal health information with colleagues at your worksite.
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am i required to tell others about my future or past travel plans?
We request that you inform your Randstad representative, your client manager (if applicable) and your immediate circle of contacts if:
- You have recently traveled to an area identified by the CDC as an area of high concern for exposure to COVID-19.
- You have recently traveled aboard a cruise ship.
- You have had close contact (within six feet) for a period of at least 15 minutes with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19.
- You have had close contact (within six feet) for a period of at least 15 minutes with someone who is currently (or previously has been) subject to quarantine.
Randstad may also inquire about your vaccination status in connection with your travel, as employees who are not fully vaccinated may be required to quarantine following travel to certain areas.
We also ask that you cooperate with requests from clients about this type of travel information. If you have any concerns about a client inquiry, please contact your Randstad representative.
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if someone at my work location has COVID-19, am i required to go to work?
If you have a reasonable belief that a workplace is unsafe because of exposure to COVID-19, report that to your Randstad representative and discuss whether it is appropriate for you to go to work.
In the U.S., employees may refuse to report to work if they believe they are in imminent danger, meaning a condition exists in the workplace that can reasonably be expected to cause death or serious physical harm.
Work refusal will immediately be investigated, and specific work refusal procedures will be followed.
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will randstad notify management at my work location that i’ve been exposed to COVID-19 or that i am sick?
Like any other reason for not being at work, you should notify your Randstad representative and client manager (if applicable) if you are unable to work. Because containing the spread of COVID-19 is of utmost importance, and clients are increasingly requesting this information pursuant to CDC and other guidelines, we do require you to notify your Randstad representative if you have been exposed to or have contracted the virus.
If requested by persons with a legitimate need to know (a client or Randstad employee at an impacted worksite, government official, etc.), we will share required, essential information (for example, an individual at the worksite has been or may have been exposed) in order to prevent the spread of the virus. To the extent possible, we will observe and request confidentiality with this information.
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can i be forced to go home if the client suspects i have COVID-19, but i feel fine?
Yes. Employers have the duty to protect and keep their workplaces safe and healthy. As a result, client sites have the ability to send employees or contractors home who:
- display symptoms associated with COVID-19
- are not fully vaccinated and have traveled to areas impacted by COVID-19
- are not fully vaccinated and have recently traveled aboard a cruise ship
- are not fully vaccinated and have had close contact (within six feet) for a period of at least 15 minutes with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or who is currently (or previously has been) subject to quarantine
We expect these occurrences to be infrequent and will manage these situations as they arise.
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will i be paid if i don’t go to work due to illness or possible exposure to COVID-19?
As each situation is unique based on location, client assignment and other factors, you should work with your Randstad representative to determine if time away from your assignment due to illness or possible exposure to COVID-19 will be paid.
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if i’m sick or think i may be getting sick, can i take a sick day?
If you are sick or think you may be getting sick, do not report for work. Your cooperation and participation in prevention is important. If you are experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19 (such as a fever of 100.4 or higher, sore throat, coughing, difficulty breathing, vomiting, severe headaches and ear pain or new loss of sense of taste and/or smell), we request that you home isolate until:
- at least 14 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared
- you have had no fever for at least 24 hours without the use of medication
- all other associated symptoms have also improved (e.g., no cough or shortness of breath)
You may be required to provide a note from a licensed healthcare provider indicating you are fit to return to work. Randstad encourages employees who do not feel well to contact their healthcare providers. Randstad is erring on the side of caution, and all employees should take the same approach.
For employees who have tested positive for COVID-19 (laboratory confirmed), with or without symptoms, you must:
- self-isolate for at least 10 days since the date of the first COVID-19 sample given that resulted in a positive test
- allow at least 24 hours to pass since your last fever without the use of fever-reducing medications
- have verification that all COVID-19 signs/symptoms have improved
Employees who test positive for COVID-19 will be required to provide a note from a licensed healthcare provider indicating you are fit to return to work. If you are eligible for any leave of absence entitlements, sick leave or paid time off (PTO) benefits, you can request a day of absence at your discretion. If you are unsure of your eligibility for leave or time off, please contact your Randstad representative.
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will i still get paid if i skip work due to my concerns about COVID-19?
If you are eligible for a leave of absence entitlement, sick leave or paid time off (PTO), you may request pay for work missed. However, if you are unable to report to work and you are ineligible for sick leave, PTO or other protected paid leave, you will not be paid for hours not worked.
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if the client company temporarily closes the warehouse/office where i work, will i get paid?
If such a situation arises, please reach out to your Randstad representative to discuss the details, including how long the closure may last. Should the closure be long-term, Randstad will make every attempt to help you find another assignment.
If no alternative assignments are available and depending upon the state in which you live, you may become eligible for unemployment insurance benefits. In that case, we would ask you to reach out to your local state employment office for more details. Visit CareerOneStop's Unemployment Benefit Finder to learn about your state’s unemployment insurance program and to apply for benefits.
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if the client company temporarily closes, will i have to use my accrued PTO and/or sick leave hours?
If you are eligible and wish to use your accrued PTO and/or sick leave, you will be permitted to do so.
If you are ineligible or do not have accrued paid/sick time available, you will not be paid if you are unable to work. In these circumstances, depending upon the state in which you live, you may become eligible for unemployment insurance benefits. Please reach out to your local state employment office for more details. Visit CareerOneStop's Unemployment Benefits Finder to learn about your state’s unemployment insurance program and to apply for benefits.
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will randstad pay me for time missed due to COVID-19 under the families first coronavirus response act (FFCRA)?
No. The paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave provisions of the FFCRA only apply to certain public and private employers with fewer than 500 employees. Randstad, like other large employers, is excluded from FFCRA.
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where can i get a required travel letter when stay-at-home restrictions are initiated in my state?
Please contact your Randstad representative if you need a travel letter indicating you are a Randstad employee assigned to an essential business (or a business that is supporting an essential business) and are permitted to travel to and from your assigned shift at our client’s facility.
testing positive for COVID-19
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how long do i have to stay home if i get COVID-19?
In an effort to minimize the spread of the virus, Randstad has developed health and safety practices that align with CDC and public health guidelines. If you have tested positive for COVID-19, you should contact your Randstad representative. You will be eligible to return to work once:
- at least 14 days have passed since symptoms first appeared, and/or the date of the first COVID-19 sample resulting in a positive test
- you have had no fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication
- all other associated symptoms have also improved (e.g., no cough, shortness of breath)
You will be required to provide Randstad with documentation from a doctor certifying you are fit for duty and will not endanger the health and safety of others at the worksite before you will be permitted to start or return to your assignment.
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if i contract COVID-19 and i’m out of work, am i required to have a doctor’s note showing i’m fit to return to work?
Yes. In these circumstances, documentation indicating a licensed healthcare provider has cleared you to return to work will be required.
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if i get sick, will i be ineligible to return to my current assignment and/or be denied from consideration for future assignments?
No.
medical benefits coverage
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will my health insurance cover the costs of COVID-19 treatment?
If you have health insurance through Randstad, then seeking treatment for COVID-19 will be covered the same as if you went to the doctor for another ailment (e.g., sinus infection, flu, etc.). Your normal co-pays, deductibles and out-of-pocket costs will apply. Telehealth options should be used when available to help minimize the potential risk of exposure to others.
alternative work options
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can i work from home?
In some cases, a work-from-home arrangement may be possible. However, these arrangements will be made on a case-by-case basis and are highly dependent upon the specific company to which you are assigned, your job duties, the company’s requirements, technological capabilities and other relevant factors.
stay-at-home
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there is a stay-at-home order where i live, and the client i work for is considered essential, but my role is not. what should i do?
You should comply with your state’s orders and/or travel restrictions and work with your supervisor to determine if you are required to report to work and/or discuss if there is a work-from-home option. Contact your Randstad representative if you need a travel letter indicating that you are a Randstad employee or candidate assigned to an essential business (or a business that is supporting an essential business) and permitted to travel to and from your assigned shift at your client’s facility.
Many states/municipalities have issued and regularly update orders detailing stay-at-home requirements for individuals and/or reopening guidelines for essential and other types of businesses. Those orders can be found here (scroll to the “Closure and Reopening Orders” link). The types of businesses classified as essential varies by local order. Generally, essential services include energy, public health, healthcare, safety, public works, water and wastewater, infrastructure support, education, communications and information technology, child care, laundry and cleaning services, agriculture and food production, critical retail (e.g., grocery stores, hardware stores, etc.), critical trades (e.g., construction, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, etc.), critical manufacturing and production (e.g., PPE, hygiene and other supply chains related to essential services), finance, legal, transportation, logistics and human/social services organizations.
Our clients are responsible for determining whether or not they can maintain business operations once a stay-at-home or similar order has been put in place. If our clients have identified themselves as an essential business and their business remains open, Randstad talent should continue to report to their assigned shifts. If you have any questions or concerns, please connect with your Randstad representative.
return to the office/worksite
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what is randstad doing to ensure my safety as i return to work?
Your health and safety continue to be our top priority. As states begin to lift stay-at-home orders and reopen businesses, we want to assure you that we are doing everything we can to ensure a safe working environment.
We are working with our clients to ensure appropriate safety protocols and controls are in place and meet the guidelines set by CDC, OSHA and local health authorities.
We are also doing the following:- conducting client site assessments to ensure safety protocols are in place
- making sure clients are facilitating social distancing of six feet where required
- ensuring they have sanitizing supplies like hand sanitizer, antibacterial hand soap and disinfectant
- confirming they have any required protocols in place for visitors (face coverings, requirements to wash hands upon arrival, limiting numbers)
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will randstad provide me with a face covering?
If you are a Randstad Inhouse Services (RIS) employee working in a client site location within a jurisdiction that requires face coverings and the client is not providing them, Randstad will provide one for you. You can contact your Randstad representative for more details.
If you are working in a jurisdiction that does not require face coverings and you have health or safety concerns, please contact your Randstad representative.
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i need to come to the randstad office. are there any special guidelines i need to follow?
If you come to our offices for an interview or for any other needs, you will need to follow the following guidelines:
- Wear a face covering if you are not fully vaccinated or where required by law.
- Disinfect hands upon entering.
- Maintain social distancing of six feet if you are not fully vaccinated.
- Stand behind the designated line in the reception area until otherwise directed.
- When handling documents such as ID or paperwork and pens, these should be placed on a table to ensure social distancing can be maintained (i.e., instead of handing them to each other). Please feel free to bring your own pen.
- Use hand sanitizer or wash your hands after handling documents or items handled by others in the office.
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i’m not comfortable returning back to the office. what are my options?
If you are uncomfortable with a worksite situation (such as someone not wearing a face covering or a lack of social distancing, etc.), please talk to your direct supervisor and your Randstad representative immediately. Randstad prohibits retaliation against workers who report a workplace hazard, make a complaint or otherwise engage in a protected activity concerning a workplace health and safety concern.
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i want to wear my face covering in the office/worksite, but the client is telling me no. what can i do?
The CDC has issued guidance recommending individuals who are not fully vaccinated continue to wear face coverings indoors in order to reduce the transmission of COVID-19. In addition, many states/jurisdictions have passed laws requiring unvaccinated employees to continue to wear face coverings while at work and permitting vaccinated employees to wear face coverings as well. However, employers may restrict the use of face coverings at work in situations where a face covering would pose a safety threat of its own, but in most situations employees should be permitted to wear a face covering while on assignment. Please reach out to your Randstad representative if you have concerns.
additional information
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where can i get more information?
We recommend the following resources:
- World Health Organization
- CDC
CDC 24-hour hotline: 1-800-232-4636 (English only)
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