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Times are uncertain for everyone. For educators, students, and parents, the start of the school year will be anything but normal. We are certain, however, that it’s critical for schools to take proper actions to create a safe school environment. The CDC has recommended protocols for schools to implement before re-opening for students and staff. They include:

• Cleaning and disinfecting facilities and equipment

• Examining the ventilation system to increase the delivery of clean or outside air

• Screening and monitoring staff and students

• Providing healthy hygiene supports, including personal protective equipment and handwashing stations

• Providing for social distancing

• Developing protocols for isolating staff and students who have coronavirus or have coronavirus-like symptoms

But if you have an underlying health issue, these protocols may not be enough. The CDC identifies the following individuals at high risk of serious illness from the coronavirus:

But if you have an underlying health issue, these protocols may not be enough. The CDC identifies the following individuals at high risk of serious illness from the coronavirus:

• People 65 years and older
• People of all ages with underlying medical conditions, particularly if not well controlled, including:
  
  • People with chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma
  • People who have serious heart conditions
  • People who are immunocompromised, which can be caused by many conditions including cancer treatment, smoking, bone marrow or organ transplantation, immune deficiencies, poorly controlled HIV or AIDS, and prolonged use of corticosteroids and other immune weakening medications
  • People with severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 40 or higher)
  • People with diabetes
  • People with chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis
  • People with liver disease

If you suffer from an underlying medical condition, it may qualify as a disability through the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which means you can request accommodations that may help you remain on the job in a similar capacity. Pursuant to ADA, a disability is defined as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; or having a record of or being regarded as having a disability.

There are no magic words for making a successful request. Most school systems have forms that must be completed by a doctor and filed with human resources. This begins a collaborative process that’s intended to produce a suitable, reasonable accommodation. These may include:

• PPE/social distancing/other transmission-reduction measures

• Transfer to a vacant position with less contact with other people or students

• Telework/remote work

• Medical leave

Be proactive. Notify your employer and your local association about your possible need for accommodations so that your request is filed in a timely manner. The ADA generally requires employers provide “reasonable” accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities unless doing so would pose an undue hardship. If your request is denied, you should find out why so you can resolve the request or, if necessary, contact your local association for support.

ADA does not require accommodations based upon an employee’s family member having a disability. Similarly, being over the age of 65 without any health conditions that qualify as a “disability” is not a basis for an accommodation under the ADA. Although the CDC does not list pregnant people as a high-risk group, there is a lot of unknowns about pregnancy and COVID. Nonetheless, a normal pregnancy without any medical conditions that qualify as a disability is not enough for ADA protection.

MSEA intends to monitor employers’ responses to requested accommodations and the reasons for denial as well as any possible unequal treatment or retaliation to be sure educators are treated fairly and respectfully.

For more information and support on requesting accommodations, contact your local UniServ director.

Whistleblower Rules

Don’t be afraid to speak up.

If your workplace is not following coronavirus mitigation protocols to protect your health and safety, there are specific whistleblower protections that prohibit employers from retaliating against educators for reporting conditions that are in violation of occupational safety and health standards or that provide information to a state agency such as the Maryland Occupational Safety and Health Division (MOSH).

Your first stop in reporting is the school system. If you don’t get results, go straight to your union.

The union can help in reporting and organizing a communication and information campaign to be sure the school system is aware of unsafe or unhealthy conditions. Your union can file a grievance under the collective bargaining agreement, or even file a complaint with the Commissioner of Labor and Industry that is responsible for promoting and enforcing safe and healthy work environments. There may also be some circumstances where an employee may refuse to report to a work area if there is no reasonable alternative in order to avoid a situation that may result in serious injury or death.

Before you or a colleague takes such action, we strongly recommend contacting your local UniServ director and at the same time file a complaint with MOSH, which can seek an injunction against the employer.