A message from Tracey Taylor – COVIDSafe update

Dear People Leaders,

Looking forward to 2022, the safety of our teams, co-workers and community remains our number one priority.

As leaders, it’s up to us to encourage and support our people to consider additional safety precautions to further protect themselves against COVID-19. In addition to the COVIDSafe Measures Policy, there are a number of initiatives our people can take, both in their community and at work.

Positive case: advice for leaders

In the event that someone in your team contracts COVID-19, your responsibility is to provide advice to the Incident Management Team (IMT) Leads and work with them to complete the positive case process.

If someone in your team contracts COVID-19, please immediately complete the COVID-19 Positive cases report form (available 24 hours).

If you contract COVID-19, you must advise your leader immediately.

If you need support, contact the TSS Service Centre or call 133 TSS (133 877) – available over the break from 8am – 5pm, Monday 27 – Friday 31 December 2021 and Monday 3 January 2022.

For more information in the positive case process, leave and support documents, visit StayInformed – positive case notification.

Booster shot support payment is available

Consistent with the initial COVID-19 Vaccine rollout, Transport is now providing a COVID-19 Booster Shot Support Payment.

Transport staff can apply for an additional two hours base pay to attend a booster shot appointment. There are eligibility guidelines on when to book a booster shot - if you’re eligible, find out where to book a COVID-19 booster. All Award, Agreement and Senior Service employees are eligible for this payment, whether fixed-term or permanent.

As leaders, you will receive an email notification for each form submitted within your team. Please review and progress the form as soon as you’re able. If you have any questions about the booster shot support payment, please speak with your People & Culture Business Partner.

Reporting self-isolation cases

If you have a team member who is required to self-isolate as a result of exposure to COVID-19 either at or outside of the work place, you must immediately fill out the self-isolation reporting form.

Anyone isolating should always follow the advice in the NSW Health self isolation rules. Once a team member is cleared by NSW Health to end isolation, you should liaise with them on return to work protocols.

For more information, read the Leader’s Guide – supporting your people when a team member is a close contact / in isolation.

Public health update

Following the Premier’s announcement yesterday, please be advised:

  • QR codes are again compulsory for indoor venues, and everyone is reminded to check in when attending a workplace or site controlled by Transport.
  • Face masks are now mandatory in all public indoor settings until 27 January 2022. This includes Transport worksites, as well as all public transport services across the network.
  • The current capacity restrictions of 75 per cent will remain on public transport until late January, instead of increasing to 100 per cent at the end of December 2021.
  • Transport employees are encouraged to work from home until the end of January, if their role allows. Where this is not feasible, we encourage COVIDSafe measures both on and off-site so that we can continue to keep our workplaces as safe as possible.

Rapid Antigen Testing

We are investigating Rapid Antigen Tests for our frontline workers as a priority, and will communicate more detail as it comes to hand.

Additional safety measures

We are all responsible for managing our own personal safety, and as people leaders - we all play a key role in supporting our people to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

We continue to encourage all Transport workers to:

  • wear a face mask in non-public facing workplaces, even if fully vaccinated
  • practice physical distancing wherever possible
  • regularly wash and sanitise your hands
  • stay home if unwell and getting tested.

As the COVID-19 landscape continues to evolve over time, we will continue to monitor and communicate any updates to ensure our workplaces remain as safe as possible for our people.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to our people, I wish you all a pleasant and restful holiday season.

Kind regards,

Tracey

Tracey Taylor

Chief People Officer

People and Culture Division

Transport for NSW