Employee News
Resource Information & Letters from AdministrationThis page is devoted to Thomas Allen employees. It is intended to share key information and updates. It is here to support you. To begin, watch this video and know that you are valued! The work you do is essential, and we recognize that COVID-19 is creating added struggles & sacrifices. You have our gratitude for your efforts to adapt, be resourceful, creative and innovative. Thank you.
Communication Updates
Company Information Updates for All Employees
DEI Committee Letter & Survey
The newly reformed DEI committee has a letter of introduction for all employees. They also invite all employees to complete a survey.
November 20, 2020 - Owners
A letter from the owners is available to all personnel by following this link:
September 30, 2020 - Owners
A letter from the owners discussing plans addressing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Thomas Allen. Click Here to Read.
Updates have been made to our Employee Training portal to incorporate access to the Convene trainings (Live and the Recordings), and also includes links to access the Courageous Conversations Sessions. You may see these changes and register for training here: (This is a password protected page – if you do not have the password, please obtain from your supervisor.) https://Learn.ThomasAllenInc.com/Employee-Training
September 23, 2020 - Human Resources
Hello everyone!
This is a difficult email to write as I need to do so because there seems to be a prevalence of people not following our protocols on temperature screening when they come into a work site.
Please know that it is mandatory that all staff follow these protocols each and every time they enter any office or residential site. If an individual chooses not to, this will result in corrective action.
We are seeing more and more employees with symptoms and/or positive COVID results. Every one of us needs to do what we can to prevent the spread of this disease.
I seek your help, support and commitment to ensuring that we keep ourselves and each other safe.
For your information, here are the protocols:
1) Put on a paper mask (cloth if paper is not available)
2) Use hand sanitizer to clean your hands.
· Put on gloves
3) Clean the temporal thermometer with an alcohol swab.
4) Take your temperature.
· Press button and release, wait 2 seconds
· Hold to temple, wait for beep and read result
· Wait one minute for reuse
5) Clean entire thermometer with alcohol wipe.
6) Complete the information on the form.
Please remember to make sure you mark yourself out when you leave the building!!!!!
Thank you everyone! Your help with this is greatly appreciated.
Beckey Skouge, SPHR, SHRM-SCP Director of Human Resources
November 20, 2020 - Administrator
Letters from the Administrator are available below, addressing the most recent Governor’s Executive Order, and offering Webex meeting opportunities to answer questions from employees. Please select the letter below that pertains to your division.
Minutes from each meeting are included under the letters, labeled “Q & A Session Minutes.”
One is addressed to 245D direct service personnel, and the other pertains to all other personnel.
Letter to 245D Residential/Direct Service Personnel
Office Q & A Session Minutes – November 23, 2020
Residential Q & A Session Minutes – November 24, 2020
Video Recording of Q & A Session – Residential – November 24, 2020
June 15, 2020 - Owners
A letter of apology from the owners to all employees addressing the community unrest/protests and their commitment to equality and anti-racism.
June 11, 2020 - Owners
September 22, 2020 - Human Resources
Hello fellow team members!
I hope this finds you and yours well.
These really are extraordinary times! All of us are impacted in some way by the ongoing barrage of challenges that are coming our way. This is especially true when it comes to our kids. As parents, we have been taught that we should have all the answers. Ha! It turns out that this is a myth. It does not reflect reality and it sets us up for feelings of failure, anxiety and distress.
If ever there was a time for us to reach out and support one another, it is NOW. I challenge you to identify a team member who needs your support. Reach out to that person and let them know you are here for them. You will both feel better!
I have attached a message for you from Jonathan Bundt. His wisdom and guidance are especially needed and appreciated right now. The most important thing to remember is that you have a strong support system here at Thomas Allen. We are here for you!
Take a deep breath. Believe that we will get through these challenges and be stronger for it. Give yourself and others the gift of grace. Know that we are here for you and your family.
Regards,
Douglas Dempsey-Hess, PHR
Note: Handouts from prior emails are also inserted below on resilience and gratitude.
May 15, 2020 - Administrator
Letter from the Administrator addressing protocol changes for visiting with friends and family.
April 29, 2020 - Human Resources
Hello fellow Thomas Allen employees!
I am feeling like we are now fully “in it”. Enough time has passed that I am learning to accept that some very significant changes and impacts are going to be prolonged.
During this time, your needs for resources are evolving. The support you and your families need falls into a couple of categories. The most common categories are physical, emotional and financial support. To that end, I have attached a very comprehensive guide that offers many resources across a wide spectrum of topics. I hope you find it helpful.
These are tough times but we are tough people. Please take care of yourselves and each other. Accept the scary emotions and embrace the positive ones.
Enjoy this day!
Douglas Dempsey-Hess, PHR
June 10, 2020 - Human Resources
Greetings fellow Thomas Allen Team members!
Over the past few months, I have addressed several types of wellness. In this email, I would like to address financial wellness.
Everyone has financial realities. For some, this has really hit home recently if a family member has been furloughed or laid off from their job.
The CARES Act has influenced some changes in 401 (k) distributions, loan payment suspensions, hardship withdrawals and other aspects of 401 (k) plans.
The use of HSA funds has been revised by the government to assist with some of the restrictive burdens to participants. You should stay current with these revisions so that you best leverage their benefits to you.
Things keep changing quickly as the financial impacts to workers and employers are taking a bigger toll. Remember that you have a very comprehensive Employee Assistance Program, access to excellent resources at American Funds for your 401 (k) and a very knowledgeable and caring Human Resources department available to answer your questions and assist with your concerns.
Stay well. Take care of yourselves, your family and your co-workers.
Regards,
Douglas Dempsey-Hess, PHR
April 15, 2020 - Human Resources
April 22, 2020 - Letter of Appreciation from the Owners and Staying Healthy Resource
A letter of appreciation from the owners.
Our values get tested in the midst of a crisis. This is our opportunity, individually and collectively, to recommit and live out our priorities. One of our priorities must be taking care of ourselves physically to help reduce our stress. It is easier to BE strong when you FEEL strong! Attached is a resource to assist you in taking good care of yourselves. – Douglas Dempsey-Hess, PHR, Human Resources Manager
April 7, 2020 - Letter from the Administrator
April 8, 2020 - Human Resources
How are you doing? Are you beginning to figure out how to adjust to this very challenging and stressful “new world”?
Attached is a COVID-19 resources document distributed by the Minnesota School Social Workers Association. The document has links to community resources, activities for family and students, supporting students mental health needs, serving students with special education plans, and healthy habits and self-care.
Be safe. Keep looking forward. Remain cautiously calm. Together, we will make it through this!
March 30, 2020 - Human Resources
The attached document created by the Health Management team at Associated Bank Risk Consulting includes a number of resources for fitness, nutrition, mental well-being, children activities and more.
Remember to take care of yourself!!
April 3, 2020
March 25, 2020 - Human Resources
This link is a 15 minute video from the MN Department of Health that provides prevention strategies, self-awareness & mindfulness, how we manage interactions with those we serve, and how we manage our lives overall.
Self-Care and applying Psychological First Aid for COVID-19 Responders
March 25, 2020 - Owners
March 20, 2020 - Administrator
A letter from the Administrator with essential information for all employees.
March 23, 2020 - Human Resources
An update offering clarification on protocols for people who have reduced hours or no hours due to the COVID-19 situation. The links below include the letter, a corresponding “cheat sheet” defining furlough, unemployment, & use of FMLA benefits, and the leave of absence request form.
Additionally, our Employee Assistance Program is available for employees. All employees have access to the EAP from Lincoln Financial (guidance resources) and employees who are enrolled in one of our Medica health plans also have access to the EAP offered through Medica. Both flyers are attached for your use.
Letter from Human Resources Director
Cheat Sheet on Furlough | Unemployment
Medica Employee Assistance Program
Lincoln Financial Employee Assistance Program
March 17, 2020 - Administrator
A letter from the Administrator sharing information about Thomas Allen communication and support plan to address the COVID-19 crisis.
It includes attachments to our Disaster Preparedness and Attendance policies.
Questions, Answers & Protocol Changes:
COVID-19 Vaccine - Questions and Answers Webinar
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Direct Support Professionals Survey: Providing Support During the COVID-19 Pandemic
The Institute on Community Integration at the University of Minnesota, in partnership with the National Alliance of Direct Support Professionals, is conducting a survey on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on direct support professionals. After more than eight months since a national emergency was declared, we want to know how DSPs are doing and identify the most effective ways to protect DSPs and the people they support.
Answers will be anonymous. National and state-specific results from the survey will be shared widely in March 2021.
A similar survey of DSPs was conducted by ICI and NADSP in the spring of 2020 and completed by more than 9,000 DSPs. Those results are available here. The new survey is for both DSPs who completed the earlier survey and those who did not.
The Institute on Community Integration at the University of Minnesota is a designated University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, part of a national network of similar programs in major universities and teaching hospitals across the country. ICI’s collaborative research, training, and information-sharing ensure that people with disabilities are valued by, included in, and contribute to their communities of choice throughout their lifetime.
The National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals is a national non-profit whose mission is to elevate the status of direct support professionals by improving practice standards; promoting system reform; and advancing their knowledge, skills, and values. Our vision is a world with a highly qualified and professional direct support workforce that partners with, supports, and empowers people with disabilities to lead a life of their choosing.
Click “Survey Link” below to complete the survey.
COVID-19 Vaccination - Q and A Webinar - NADSP with Dr. Rick Rader, MD
Direct support professionals have been on the frontlines of supporting people with disabilities during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The COVID-19 vaccines are now here and becoming widely available. As this is good news, we also know there is some confusion and worry among people about the efficacy and safety of the vaccine. In this webinar, NADSP in partnership with the American Academy of Developmental Medicine & Dentistry (AADMD) will address vaccine concerns. Please join Rick Rader, MD as he shares up to date and research-based information on the COVID-19 vaccines.
Employee Benefits Presentation
This is an on online presentation that is specifically designed to highlight our employee benefit options for the upcoming plan year which runs from December 1st, 2020-November 30th, 2021. This presentation covers our group benefits including medical, HRA, HSA, dental, vision, life, voluntary life, disability, Nice Healthcare, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, IDSheild, LegalSheild, and more.
Online Training
Employee Orientation and Ongoing Training is now available online. The 2021 Calendar, Registration links for the courses, handouts and course recordings are all accessible through our Employee Training page.
Course access is available via a password protected page at https://learn.thomasalleninc.com/employee-training You may obtain the password from your supervisor.
COVID-19 Policies
Thomas Allen has two policies relating to COVID-19.
a. Personnel Policy, Section 8 – Safety, K. COVID-19.
b. Standard Rule 245D Policy, Section 8 – Incident Response Procedures, U – COVID-19.
These policies may be accessed in three possible ways:
1. At your division work site; if you are currently assigned to work from a site, versus working remotely.
2. On our company network:
a. J:\POLICIES AND JOB DESCRIP\STANDARD PERSONNEL\SECTION 8
b. J:\POLICIES AND JOB DESCRIP\STANDARD 245D\SECTION 8
3. On our online Training Center, within the COVID-19 training curriculum. If you are unsure of how to access this course, please consult with your supervisor to obtain the password.
Resources
Mn Governor’s COVID-19 Resource Page
Centers for Disease Control
MN Department of Health MDH Hotline: 651-201-3920 (M-F, 8am – 4:30 pm)
MDH Decision Tree for People in Schools, Youth & Child Care Centers
Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)
State Health Advisory Network
Carver County COVID-19 Resource Page
Ramsey County COVID-19 Resource Page
Scott County COVID-19 Resource Page
Dakota County COVID-19 Hotline: 952-891-7834. It is open Monday–Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m