Month: March 2020

In light of the recent circumstances regarding COVID-19, Altec is providing free communication materials as a public service to our community partners. We hope to help businesses educate their associates and members of the public about best practices regarding the prevention of this virus.

These materials cover information on social distancing, mask conservation and reuse, cleaning materials and more. All of the files can be printed or shared digitally as a PDF file.

Also included are two options for floor decals encouraging social distancing. For printing purposes, the decal document is 24 in. wide x 12 in. tall and has a 0.25 bleed.

Download the package of materials here.

On behalf of Team Altec, I want to reconfirm our commitment to our Associates and our Customers as we navigate the global pandemic. Our primary purpose is focused on Safety – our Associate Safety, our Customers’ safety, and our Commitment to meeting customer needs during these unprecedented times.

We accept and are honored with our responsibility- Day in and Day out – to be there for each of You during these challenging times. We have been through many challenges throughout our 91 year history. Rest assured TeamAltec is with each of You Every Step of the Way as we navigate the current environment.

All of Team Altec resources are available to support you and your team members as we work together.

God Bless America and each of Your Families,

Lee Styslinger, III

Over the last week, conditions in the United States and at Altec have changed very rapidly. As the number of cases of COVID-19 continues to grow, and the pace of spread picks up, government and health authorities have taken increasingly drastic measures to protect our citizens. It is CRITICALLY important that ALL of us follow the guidance that we are being given about how to slow the spread of this illness. Not just because we want things to get back to normal but because we want to save lives.

We have made dramatic changes to our work environment. If you have not already, we are strongly encouraging both you and those living with you to make the same kinds of changes in your home life. These changes will help protect not only your family at home but your Altec family as well. This applies even if you do not feel sick. Symptoms can appear up to 14 days after being exposed to the virus.

Examples of social distancing measures may include:

• Avoiding malls, theaters, bars, restaurants, or anywhere with large crowds, such as concerts or festivals
• Suspending services at houses of worship
• Avoiding the use of public transportation
• Closing schools and child-care centers

Can I go to a restaurant, food court, or bar?

Most states have now dramatically reduced or suspended the operation of bars and restaurants. Many are offering pick up or delivery options. If you elect to use one of those options, please make sure that you are wiping down the containers you receive.

What about visiting relatives, especially those who are 65 or older?

The federal government is strongly encouraging visitors to stay away from nursing homes, retirement, or long-term care facilities unless they’re going to provide critical assistance. Visit older relatives in person only if it is absolutely necessary. It is fine to drop off food, supplies, or medications, but use social distancing principles when you do (stay 6 feet away and absolutely do not visit if you think you might be ill).

Are kids’ play dates OK?

Millions of American parents are now trying to figure out how to work from home — while also tending to children whose schools are closed to combat the spread of the coronavirus. Play dates seem like an obvious solution to help little ones burn off energy while you get some work done. But, interactions where kids will come into close contact with each other defeat the purpose of social distancing and will cause the virus to spread faster.

What about playing outside with other kids or going to the park?

If you do let your children outside to play with others, make sure to keep them at least 6 feet apart from other kids (which can be very hard for younger children to do).

And for adults, what about having close friends over to visit?

The new CDC guidance is to avoid social visits for now. Once again, think virtual — maybe have a Facetime dinner party with friends.

Can I travel? Airfares and hotel rates are really cheap.

The CDC is strongly encouraging individuals to avoid discretionary travel. The goal of the next 15 days is to slow the spread of germs. The best way to do that is to stay at home with your immediate family only.

Elective travel outside of your normal routine may be subject to quarantine without pay. You must check in with human resources prior to returning to work.

I had a doctor’s visit scheduled months ago. Should I still go?

If it’s a nonessential visit to a doctor or dentist, reschedule it.

I need to go to the grocery store. How do I do that in a way that’s safest for me and others?

This counts as an essential trip, of course. “But try going to the grocery store during off-peak hours, when it’s less likely to be crowded,” says Dr. Sean O’ Leary, an assistant professor of pediatrics and infectious diseases at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Also, wipe down the handles on the shopping cart or basket you are using when you shop.

Thank you for all you do. We appreciate your hard work and dedication. Our goal at Altec is to keep our associates working, healthy and safe. The only way we can make this happen is if we all work together.

As we continue to work through the coronavirus event, we want each of you to know that nothing is more important to us than the safety and well being of our associates and your families. Each of you should know that we are taking all of the necessary steps to ensure safe environments throughout our system. Altec has a management task force team monitoring the situation on a minute-by-minute basis and they are tracking information being shared by public health agencies along with the best practices being shared among our suppliers, customers and peer manufacturers.

We recognize the hardships that these circumstances have created for everyone. Many Altec associates have been asked to work remotely in response to the recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control to help slow the spread of COVID-19. We understand that some of you may have a sense of isolation as public health officials ask that we distance ourselves from others. While you work remotely in continued support of our customers, we encourage you to stay connected with Altec teammates and co-workers as well as your loved ones. Other associates, due to your roles and responsibilities, have been asked to continue to work on-site which has allowed us to keep our operations running to continue to serve our customers. In many instances, you have been asked to flex hours, adjust your work conditions and maintain social distancing. Again, all of this is being asked of you in an effort to minimize the spread of the virus. We greatly appreciate everyone’s flexibility and understanding as we continue to implement these recommended guidelines to keep associates safe.

Altec will continue to monitor this ever-changing situation and we thank you — our dedicated team members — for your vigilance and your efforts to keep yourselves and those around you safe. In addition, we deeply appreciate your on-going commitment to serve and support our customers, for whom the livelihoods of all of us depend.

At Altec, we remain convinced and confident that this crisis will pass, our nation will remain resilient and our company will emerge stronger and more successful. Thank you for all you do for Team Altec!

Lee, Jon and Mark Styslinger

Our leadership team continues to evaluate the rapidly changing information regarding the COVID-19 virus. Unfortunately, many people in the US and around the world will get this virus. Most of the experts are saying that the key to success is controlling the rate at which new infections occur. To that end, we are discussing ways to minimize contact between our associates while still running our business and serving our customers. Creating safe zones where contact with each other and with third parties protects our families and our communities. This will allow us to continue serving our customers who support our families.

Remote Work / Social Distancing

Based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, we are implementing social distancing practices. We have determined which associates can perform their work from home. If you have been identified as someone who should work remotely, your manager will contact you with details including protocols, best practices and important dates.

Additionally, teams at each of our locations are finalizing social distancing plans for their specific location. You will be notified as the plan for your location is completed.

Travel

Effective immediately, we are suspending all business travel other than that which is “business critical” for the next four weeks through April 10. Approval of any business-related travel will need to be obtained from your OMC member.

Personal travel that is outside of your normal routine should be reported to Human Resources. During this time, please be mindful that all of us are responsible for limiting exposure to this virus, and that staying at home may be the best way to protect each other.

Customer and Supplier Visits to our Locations

We value our relationships with customers and suppliers and have always encouraged them to visit our production locations. To protect the health and safety of our associates as well as our customers and suppliers, we are limiting nonessential third party visits to our facilities. We are also implementing policies and procedures to allow for social distancing for our vendors and other third parties that have essential business purposes to enter our facilities. These policies and procedures will be communicated to our associates at the facility level.

Any visitor to our locations will be asked a series of questions about potential virus exposure prior to being granted entrance to our premises.

Enhanced Cleaning of Facilities

We are implementing enhanced protocols for cleaning all common areas and work surfaces.

Day Care and School Closures

Salaried associates whose daycare/school closed due to the Coronavirus, and who can work from home, should do so after consulting with your supervisor. For hourly associates, the attendance policy will be modified during the dates of the day care and school closures in the following manner:

• Associates who stay home to care for children due to daycare/school closures will not be assessed points;
• Associates who stay home to care for a sick family member living in the same household will not be assessed points (please provide a doctor’s note indicating confirmation of health status).

What about pay during quarantine period or if someone is sick with the virus?

• One of our values is that People Are our Greatest Strength
• We will pay associates (including contingent associates) for up to 10 business days of quarantine/sick time (8 hours per day at current hourly rate if hourly or regular salaried rate if salaried for the 10 business days). Please contact your HR partner if you think that you need to quarantine or are ill.
• No attendance points will be assessed during this time.
• We will pay for associate screenings and copays related to the Coronavirus. Please contact your HR partner for details.

Stay home except to get medical care

• Stay home: You should restrict activities outside your home, except for getting medical care.
• Avoid public areas: Do not go to work, school, or public areas.
• Avoid public transportation: Avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis.

Separate yourself from other people and animals in your home

• Stay away from others: As much as possible, you should stay in a specific room and away from other people in your home. Also, you should use a separate bathroom, if available.
• Limit contact with pets & animals: You should restrict contact with pets and other animals just like you would around other people. Although there have not been reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19, it is still recommended that people sick with COVID-19 limit contact with animals until more information is known about the virus.

Call ahead before visiting your doctor

• Call ahead: If you have a medical appointment, call the healthcare provider and tell them that you have or may have COVID-19. This will help the healthcare provider’s office take steps to keep other people from getting infected or exposed.

Wear a facemask

• If you are sick (or suspect you are sick): You should wear a facemask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) or pets and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office.

Cover your coughs and sneezes

• Cover: Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Dispose: Throw used tissues in a lined trash can.
• Wash hands: Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or, if soap and water are not available, clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Clean your hands often

• Wash hands: Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.
• Hand sanitizer: If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, covering all surfaces of your hands and rubbing them together until they feel dry.
• Avoid touching: Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Avoid sharing personal household items

• Do not share: You should not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with other people or pets in your home.
• Wash thoroughly after use: After using these items, they should be washed thoroughly with soap and water.

Clean all “high-touch” surfaces everyday

• Clean and disinfect: Practice routine cleaning of high touch surfaces. High touch surfaces include counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables.
• Household cleaners: Use a household cleaning spray or wipe, according to the label instructions. Labels contain instructions for safe and effective use of the cleaning product including precautions you should take when applying the product, such as wearing gloves and making sure you have good ventilation during use of the product.

Monitor your symptoms

• Seek medical attention: Seek prompt medical attention if any symptom is worsening (e.g., difficulty breathing).
• Call your doctor: Before seeking care, call your healthcare provider and tell them that you have, or are being evaluated for, COVID-19.
• Wear a facemask when sick: Put on a facemask before you enter the facility. These steps will help the healthcare provider’s office to keep other people in the office or waiting room from getting infected or exposed.
• Alert health department: Ask your healthcare provider to call the local or state health department. Persons who are placed under active monitoring or facilitated self-monitoring should follow instructions provided by their local health department or occupational health professionals, as appropriate.
• Call 911 if you have a medical emergency: If you have a medical emergency and need to call 911, notify the dispatch personnel that you have, or are being evaluated for COVID-19. If possible, put on a facemask before emergency medical services arrive.