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Temperature Check Process

In accordance with the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s recent order, which became effective on April 19, 2020, at 8 p.m., the College developed the following temperature check process to help protect the health and safety of staff members. This process is currently being used by essential staff in Dining, Environmental Services, and Public Safety departments beginning May 1, 2020. In consultation with Human Resources, department managers may need to adapt the temperature check process to be appropriate for their work area.

  • Staff members who do not work in a private space will be subject to a work-site temperature check with their supervisor, prior to the start of their shift. 
  • Staff members who report to work in a private office space without direct contact with others may not be subject to a work-site temperature check. 
  • Employees who do not receive work-place temperature checks should self-monitor by taking their temperature at home before reporting to work. For more information, please visit the Expectations for On-campus Work section of the Returning to Work on Campus 

As a reminder, prior to coming to work, any staff member who is experiencing symptoms such as a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing should notify their supervisor before coming to work and must stay home.

Process 

The following safety measures will be taken for staff members reporting to work in the designated areas. 

  1. When a staff member reports to work, before they sign-in or begin working, a supervisor or  designee will conduct a temperature check. 
  2. The staff member will be screened with either a temporal scan or a disposable thermometer in the presence of the supervisor/designee to verify that their temperature is less than 100.4 degrees. Once it is confirmed that their temperature is below 100.4 degrees, the staff member may proceed to work.
  3. If the staff member's temperature reads 100.4 degrees or more, the staff member will not be permitted to work and must return home. 
  4. If a staff member does not meet the temperature requirement and is thus not able to work, their supervisor must notify Human Resources as soon as possible by emailing Terri Maguire, human resources manager for work life and employee recognition programs, at  tmaguir1@swarthmore.edu. The supervisor will also notify their management of the immediate steps taken to maintain work continuity during the staff member’s absence.
  5. Human Resources will follow-up with the staff member to provide further instructions, including benefits and leave information. The supervisor will be notified of the staff member’s status as appropriate, to ensure they are able to arrange adequate coverage. 
  6. Staff members should immediately consult with their health care provider and take precautionary measures as directed by the CDC.  Staff members should consult with Terri Maguire on a return to work date, as recommended by their physician.  

If you have any questions, please contact Terri Maguire at tmaguir1@swarthmore.edu.