June 2, 2021
Memo on New Guidance from OSHA on COVID-19 Regulations for Employers-Policy Update
To Valley Staff Members, Employees, Guardians, and Thrift Store Volunteer Employees:
Valley Industries is regulated by OSHA on safety regulatory matters to keep our employees safe. On May 17, 2021 the Federal occupational Safety and Health Agency (“OSHA”) has issued a statement indicating that it is reviewing and revising its Workplace Guidance in light of the CDC announcement last week regarding mask requirements for vaccinated individuals. In addition, OSHA has instructed employers to follow the new CDC Covid-19 recommendations until OSHA can revise its own guidance. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration said in a website update Monday that it is “reviewing the recent CDC guidance and will update our materials on this website accordingly.” Until then, it said, employers and workers should refer to the CDC guidance for information “on measures appropriate to protect fully vaccinated workers.”
The CDC defines that people are considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine. The CDC says that if you don’t meet these requirements, regardless of your age, you are NOT fully vaccinated and to keep taking all precautions until you are fully vaccinated. Employers are also allowed to request proof of vaccination from employees and retain a copy of that proof of full vaccination on file. Please provide proof of vaccination to Valley Industries HR Manager Cathy Younker.
The Valley Industries Board met on Thursday May 27, 2021 and updated our COVID-19 policies to reflect this new OSHA guidance. Effective Friday June 4, 2021, any employees, staff or thrift store volunteers of Valley Industries who have already provided Valley Industries a copy of your proof of full Covid-19 Vaccination as defined above by CDC, and are already at least two weeks past their 2 nd dose of Pfizer or Moderna, or are two weeks past their Johnson & Johnson Janssen vaccine will be recognized by Valley Industries as being “fully vaccinated workers.”
FULLY VACCINATED WORKERS VALLEY COVID19 SAFETY POLICY:
Fully vaccinated workers as defined above will follow this Covid-19 Policy at Valley Industries:
- Wearing masks will not be mandatory for fully vaccinated workers. Wearing masks is optional for those fully vaccinated employees as you may wish to continue wearing one as the pandemic is not over.
- Fully vaccinated employees must also continue to follow social distancing and Valley directional markings on our aisles and continue CDC recommended hand washing.
NON-VACCINATED WORKERS OR WORKERS WHO ARE NOT RECOGNIZED BY VALLEY INDUSTRIES AS CDC DEFINED FULLY VACCINATED YET:
- Non-vaccinated workers or workers who are not recognized by Valley Industries as fully vaccinated must continue to wear masks covering their nose and mouth at Valley Industries as before at all times except when you are seated at the plexiglass lunchroom tables eating or drinking at break or lunch.
- Non vaccinated or non-fully vaccinated workers must also continue to follow social distancing and Valley directional markings on our aisles and continue CDC recommended hand washing.
Other Covid-19 Policy Updates that affect all employees of Valley Industries whether you are vaccinated or not in light of new OSHA referenced CDC Guidelines:
We are eliminating the morning and afternoon temperature taking of all employees, staff, and volunteers, and customers. We are eliminating the daily sanitizing spraying of backpacks. Employees are encouraged to place and keep their backpacks in their lockers when they arrive.
All employees will be able to start serving themselves at the vending machines. Staff will no longer be dispensing vended food or drinks. The custodial team will sanitize the vending machines daily.
We will continue to not use the microwaves due to the social distancing still being in effect. We always had congested lines of employees waiting to use the microwaves. Please continue to bring food for break and lunch that does not need to be heated up. Our vending machines have cold sandwiches and other non-microwave food for your convenience if you need.
We are continuing to sanitize the facility daily. We will continue to use the one-way hallways and stairways, and we will continue to use the plexiglass dividers in the break areas and where needed on the production floor as we continue social distancing.
We will still be continuing our same organized arrival and dismissal process because social distancing is still in effect. So employees need to continue to line up 6 feet apart and arrive at the same door on the east side of our building as they have been.
Changes in the Valley Industries Thrift Store and Workshop Visitors:
Valley Industries Thrift Store Volunteers who provide proof to Valley Industries of being a “fully vaccinated worker” will be able to go to optional mask wearing.
Valley Industries Thrift Store Customers: The Valley Industries Thrift Store is open at 100% capacity from recent changes in St Louis County guidelines. We will now be following the same CDC policy as Schnucks Stores adopted: The Valley Industries Thrift Store will have a sign posted on the door saying: “WE RECOMMEND AND ENCOURAGE ALL CUSTOMERS TO WEAR MASKS. HOWEVER, IF YOU ARE FULLY VACCINATED, IT IS NOT REQUIRED.”
Valley Industries Workshop Customers: Valley Industries Customers will now follow this policy: “WE RECOMMEND AND ENCOURAGE ALL CUSTOMERS TO WEAR MASKS. HOWEVER, IF YOU ARE FULLY VACCINATED, IT IS NOT REQUIRED.”
Sincerely,
Jim Guyre
Executive Director
COVID- APP
Call 314-731-1771 and leave Your Name and/or Valley Employee Name and if you are interested in getting the vaccine. If you have questions, please visit www.vnastl.com for detailed information.
January 27, 2021
Memo: Important Message from A-Team Missouri/Dignity Has a Voice!!!
To: All Valley Industries Employees, Families, and Staff
As we are finding our way through the COVID-19 Pandemic at the start of this new year, we are given another opportunity to reflect on what we appreciate about our jobs and the people with whom we work. Valley Industries is very thankful for our incredible employees and fulfilling our mission providing dignified meaningful employment for adults with developmental disabilities. We have been challenged to create new processes for working here, working at home, training at home or just sheltering in place, and we are very proud of everyone’s efforts. Of course, we could not be successful without our many customers, donors, and other supporters. We take pride in a job well done and satisfying the needs of all of them.
Please see the attached letter from A-Team Missouri/Dignity Has a Voice about a current legislative issue that will impact workshops all over the country including Valley Industries. We want to make sure you are Aware, Advised, and are able to Take Action per A-Team’s recommendation.
What: A-Team Missouri/Dignity Has a Voice needs your help. They’re preparing to take action Monday, Feb. 1 and ask you to help reach contact your federal representatives AND share this information with employees, parents and others so they can help, too.
Why: The Biden Administration’s stimulus proposal (American Rescue Plan) is calling for the elimination of Section 14c. This is an immediate threat to workshops everywhere. Additionally, the TIME Act and the Transformation Bill will also be introduced this session. Both call for phasing out 14c and sheltered workshops.
How: The attached flyer provides all of the information you need to contact your U.S. Senator and Congressional Representative. We want as many workshop supporters as possible to call and/or email Monday so we create a wave of support they can’t ignore!
We encourage everyone to use your voice.
Jim Guyre
Executive Director
January 27, 2021
Memo: Important Message from A-Team Missouri/Dignity Has a Voice!!!
To: All Valley Industries Employees, Families, and Staff
As we are finding our way through the COVID-19 Pandemic at the start of this new year, we are given another opportunity to reflect on what we appreciate about our jobs and the people with whom we work. Valley Industries is very thankful for our incredible employees and fulfilling our mission providing dignified meaningful employment for adults with developmental disabilities. We have been challenged to create new processes for working here, working at home, training at home or just sheltering in place, and we are very proud of everyone’s efforts. Of course, we could not be successful without our many customers, donors, and other supporters. We take pride in a job well done and satisfying the needs of all of them.
Please see the attached letter from A-Team Missouri/Dignity Has a Voice about a current legislative issue that will impact workshops all over the country including Valley Industries. We want to make sure you are Aware, Advised, and are able to Take Action per A-Team’s recommendation.
What: A-Team Missouri/Dignity Has a Voice needs your help. They’re preparing to take action Monday, Feb. 1 and ask you to help reach contact your federal representatives AND share this information with employees, parents and others so they can help, too.
Why: The Biden Administration’s stimulus proposal (American Rescue Plan) is calling for the elimination of Section 14c. This is an immediate threat to workshops everywhere. Additionally, the TIME Act and the Transformation Bill will also be introduced this session. Both call for phasing out 14c and sheltered workshops.
How: The attached flyer provides all of the information you need to contact your U.S. Senator and Congressional Representative. We want as many workshop supporters as possible to call and/or email Monday so we create a wave of support they can’t ignore!
We encourage everyone to use your voice.
Jim Guyre
Executive Director
January 27, 2021
Memo: Important Message from A-Team Missouri/Dignity Has a Voice!!!
To: All Valley Industries Employees, Families, and Staff
As we are finding our way through the COVID-19 Pandemic at the start of this new year, we are given another opportunity to reflect on what we appreciate about our jobs and the people with whom we work. Valley Industries is very thankful for our incredible employees and fulfilling our mission providing dignified meaningful employment for adults with developmental disabilities. We have been challenged to create new processes for working here, working at home, training at home or just sheltering in place, and we are very proud of everyone’s efforts. Of course, we could not be successful without our many customers, donors, and other supporters. We take pride in a job well done and satisfying the needs of all of them.
Please see the attached letter from A-Team Missouri/Dignity Has a Voice about a current legislative issue that will impact workshops all over the country including Valley Industries. We want to make sure you are Aware, Advised, and are able to Take Action per A-Team’s recommendation.
What: A-Team Missouri/Dignity Has a Voice needs your help. They’re preparing to take action Monday, Feb. 1 and ask you to help reach contact your federal representatives AND share this information with employees, parents and others so they can help, too.
Why: The Biden Administration’s stimulus proposal (American Rescue Plan) is calling for the elimination of Section 14c. This is an immediate threat to workshops everywhere. Additionally, the TIME Act and the Transformation Bill will also be introduced this session. Both call for phasing out 14c and sheltered workshops.
How: The attached flyer provides all of the information you need to contact your U.S. Senator and Congressional Representative. We want as many workshop supporters as possible to call and/or email Monday so we create a wave of support they can’t ignore!
We encourage everyone to use your voice.
Jim Guyre
Executive Director
January 27, 2021
Memo: Important Message from A-Team Missouri/Dignity Has a Voice!!!
To: All Valley Industries Employees, Families, and Staff
As we are finding our way through the COVID-19 Pandemic at the start of this new year, we are given another opportunity to reflect on what we appreciate about our jobs and the people with whom we work. Valley Industries is very thankful for our incredible employees and fulfilling our mission providing dignified meaningful employment for adults with developmental disabilities. We have been challenged to create new processes for working here, working at home, training at home or just sheltering in place, and we are very proud of everyone’s efforts. Of course, we could not be successful without our many customers, donors, and other supporters. We take pride in a job well done and satisfying the needs of all of them.
Please see the attached letter from A-Team Missouri/Dignity Has a Voice about a current legislative issue that will impact workshops all over the country including Valley Industries. We want to make sure you are Aware, Advised, and are able to Take Action per A-Team’s recommendation.
What: A-Team Missouri/Dignity Has a Voice needs your help. They’re preparing to take action Monday, Feb. 1 and ask you to help reach contact your federal representatives AND share this information with employees, parents and others so they can help, too.
Why: The Biden Administration’s stimulus proposal (American Rescue Plan) is calling for the elimination of Section 14c. This is an immediate threat to workshops everywhere. Additionally, the TIME Act and the Transformation Bill will also be introduced this session. Both call for phasing out 14c and sheltered workshops.
How: The attached flyer provides all of the information you need to contact your U.S. Senator and Congressional Representative. We want as many workshop supporters as possible to call and/or email Monday so we create a wave of support they can’t ignore!
We encourage everyone to use your voice.
Jim Guyre
Executive Director
May 29, 2020
Re: Valley Industries Board Action at the May 28, 2020 Board Meeting
Dear Valley Industries Employees,
This letter is to update you on the status of Valley Industries. As stated in our April 30, 2020 letter, we have started individually calling employees back to work at Valley Industries in waves. Our first wave or employees started working on May 18, 2020. Please do not return to work until Teri Wilson has individually called you to work with you on your specific return date. We are having to return employees in waves to be able to train and manage the social distancing requirements of the St Louis County health order. All employees are required to be able to manage 6-foot social distancing throughout the workday, as well as wear a mask all day and undergo a morning health assessment on our parking lot before they enter our building. We will go over more of these specific requirements with you when we call you. In the meanwhile, we would like our families and home staff to practice six-foot social distancing with our employees at home to help ensure that they are trained and will be successful at social distancing when they are called back to work at Valley. No one will be allowed to work that is unable to maintain social distancing or follow any of our other required new rules, so we will have no choice but to send you back home.
While you are waiting to be called back to work, Valley Industries Staff has created and implemented a weekly At Home Training Program that you can participate in and earn pay while you are at home. If you have not already done so, please register to participate in the online at home training vocational program by sending an email to Training143@ValleyInd.net. Gmail is a good source to get a free email address from as well.
Staff have also created an At Home Work Opportunity for those of you who would like to sign up and stop by on the front parking lot one time per week to pick up metal parts to clean at home and deliver back one time per week on the same trip. If you would like to start doing some work at home cleaning some of our metal parts, please call our office at 314-731-1771 and speak with Teri Wilson.
The main goals of the At Home Training and At Home Work Opportunities are:
- keep your employment skills up (safety, production, team building skills/VI Golden rules, etc.)
- help you earn pay for completing either at home vocational training or at home work opportunities.
- keep you informed about Valley Industries and engaged with what is going on!
- help make you better prepared for when you can return to work at Valley.
More information is available at https://valleyind.net/about-us/employee-info/
If you would like to start doing some work at home cleaning some of our metal parts, please call our office at 314-731-1771 and speak with Teri Wilson. Anyone working at home needs to be very accountable for returning all parts and for tracking your hours worked. We are also looking for great quality in your work that you send back to Valley. With our quality standard, you will be responsible for reworking your parts if your quality is not up to standard before you will be paid for your work.
As of June 1, 2020, we will no longer offer COVID Pay to our employees at home who are not participating in our daily trainings or who are not doing any work at home. The only way you will receive pay in June going forward is to earn it through either training, work at home, or work at Valley.
We look forward to seeing you when we call you with your return date. This will be a challenging process so be patient. Stay safe.
Jim Guyre, Executive Director, on Behalf of the Board of Directors of Valley Industries
May 29, 2020
Memo: New Late Arrival and Early Departure Policy
To: Valley Industries Employees, Families and Staff
Employees will not be allowed to come and go at various times during the day. Our Wellness Check Policy does not allow for late arrivals after 9:00 AM Employees arriving after 9:00 AM will not be allowed to enter the building and will have to return home Early departures will only be allowed at 12:00 PM, and we must have prior notification to allow staff to prepare. So, please plan your appointments accordingly.
Jim Guyre
Executive Director
We’d like all of our employees to please watch this video from the CDC on proper hand washing technique.
