HR Updates

Procedures for Requesting COVID-19 Related Leave Time

The DOA wants to protect employees from infection in the workplace, while complying with applicable federal and local laws, policies, and procedures including the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and City of Philadelphia COVID-19 Policy Statement.

As of April 1, 2020, the FFCRA provides a new type of paid sick leave (EPSL) and alters the existing Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA+) to allow eligible employees to use family medical leave in a new way. 

DOA employees who need to request Emergency Paid Sick Leave (EPSL) or FML+, or to report any other COVID-19 medical information must submit an email to [email protected]. The email should include the employee’s name, phone number, payroll number, unit, shift, supervisor’s name, reason for request, or information they wish to report in as much detail as possible, and the requested start date. Employees without email access can contact the Safety Office at 215-937-6716 with the same information as mentioned above.

See more here: Procedures for Requesting COVID-19 Related Leave Time

W-4 Reference Guide

OnePhilly offers a guide for employees needing to update their W-4 forms. For a copy of this guide, click here: OnePhilly Quick Reference Guide: Change Your W-4

PHL Parking Program Update

Paid garage parking for all PHL guests will resume Monday, June 1, 2020, however free garage parking for all Airport employees will continue until further notice. All Airport garages will be open. For the safety and convenience of employees and guests due to physical distancing requirements on shuttle buses, PHL’s Economy Parking Lot will remain closed until further notice. Employees are encouraged to take advantage of the free garage parking program.

To enter the garage, employees will continue to pull a ticket and proceed to the upper levels of the garages. Employees are not permitted to park in short-term parking (ground level of the garages). Employees who park in short-term locations will be charged the appropriate short -term rates.

The PPA has designated lanes 71, 72 and 73 at the center/right of the toll plaza as the three employee exit lanes (marked with blue and white “EMPLOYEES” signs). When leaving, employees will surrender the parking ticket, present their SIDA badge and sign a form. Employees without SIDA badges can present their employee IDs to the cashier. Processing employee badges will be a slightly longer process as the cashier will need to capture additional information. Failure to produce a parking ticket and present a valid Airport ID will result in a parking charge being assessed.

Employee exit lanes will be activated on Monday, June 1, at 2 a.m. The number of employee exit lanes open at any given time will depend on activity and PPA staffing capabilities. There will be at least one lane open at any given time. While there is no limit on how long employees can park in the garage, employees who anticipate a stay of 24 hours or more are encouraged to park in the employee parking lot. 

HR Trainings Move Online 

Employees have not met in the same room for work trainings provided by HR since mid-March, but the sessions have not stopped.      

“I’m enjoying training virtually,” said Training and Development Officer Yheralis Lantigua. “Though we are not all in the same room, by using the video, chat and of course, the emojis, everyone’s personality still shines through.”   

HR trainings vary from communication skills,  stakeholder relations, retirement, and stress management.   

The Airport's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider Penn Behavioral Health provides essential mental health trainings during this time of crisis to assist PHL employees deal with their experiences during the pandemic.   

“It is normal to feel stressed or overwhelmed during uncertain times,” said Senior Departmental HR Associate Tamara Whitfield. “Taking care of ourselves is important, so we are equipped to help our families and loved ones through this time.”    

Several PHL employees appreciate and benefit from the trainings especially those provided by Penn Behavioral Health.   

“I appreciate the stress management training at PHL,” said Departmental Procurement Specialist Yolanda Parks. “As stress does not stop because you have an assignment, the training re-affirms practical tools we can utilize during the day to maintain a healthy foundation during stressful times.”   

Resources for Employees 

We understand that this is a challenging time for all employees and all Philadelphians. To help manage any stress you may be feeling, you have access to the following resources: 

• All DOA Employees: Employee Assistance Program Penn Behavioral Health – 1-888-321-4433 
• FOR Employees in City Administered Plan (CAP) 
  • ComPsych Guidance Resources are available at 877-912-3226 or online at guidanceresources.com (WebID: CAPCares). There is also a mobile app, “GuidanceNow”.
  • Tele-Behavioral Health is available at 1-800-688-1911 or online at ibx.com. Use your login and select “Value Added Services” from the “Health & Well-Being” menu; then select “On To Better Health”. You will need to complete the “SmartScreener” assessment on your initial visit 
• For DC 47 represented employees, you can contact Health Advocate for similar services at 1-866-799-2728 or reach out to your Health & Welfare Fund at 215-893-3774 

Calling All Dads! Father’s Day Collage Submissions Due June 18

The PHL social media team would like to feature a collage of airport employee fathers with their children for a post on Father’s Day, June 21. If you’ve got a great photo of you and your child(ren) at the airport or traveling, please email [email protected] by the end of the day on June 18 to be featured in our collage.

Philly Counts 2020

The United States Constitution mandates that, every 10 years, the federal government conduct a population count of everyone in the U.S. and its five territories. The census significantly impacts Philadelphia and its communities. The information collected is used to determine representation in Congress, distribute more than $675 billion in federal funding to states and communities and allocate resources for job creation, housing, infrastructure and more. Currently, only 48.9% of Philadelphians have completed the census, 11 percent behind the national average.

The 2020 Census takes about 10 minutes to complete. The questionnaire can be answered three ways:

• Phone - 844-330-2020
• Mail
• Online 

Let’s make Philly count in 2020!. Respond to the census today and encourage your family, friends, neighbors., and coworkers to do the same.

The Latest From PHL's Online Newsroom:

New Regulations at PHL

Philadelphia International Airport is open for business, but please note that some things have changed to keep our guests, employees and the facility safe. Beginning May 22, access to PHL is limited to those with airport business, including badged employees, ticketed passengers and people who are transporting those with airport business. Also, until the conclusion of the COVID-19 crisis, all passengers and airport personnel are required to wear face coverings that cover the individual’s nose and mouth while on airport premises.

New Procedures for Summer Travel

In an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Transportation Security Authority (TSA) introduced changes to the security screening process, including passengers holding onto their boarding passes at the screening checkpoint and separating food for X-ray screening. Read more.

Staying Safe in the COVID-19 Cyber Environment

With an unprecedented number of employees working from home, including DOA staff, there has been an increase in phishing activity and in the creation of malicious websites with COVID-19 themes. What is PHL doing to keep us safe from cyber attacks? Read more. 

PHL: More opportunities for Small and Diverse Businesses

Fifteen small and women business owners and Philadelphia International Airport employees recently graduated from the Construction Management Certificate Program, provided by Temple’s Small Business Development Center and sponsored by PHL. Korin Smith, an electrical apprentice living in emergency housing, also took part in the program. Read more.

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Airport’s Capital Development Projects

The Capital Development team has continued working on projects that are critical to PHL’s passenger operations. Read about some of the projects we are focusing on, including the design modifications of the Restroom Renovation Program to tackle COVID-19.

Now is the Time to Prepare for Getting the REAL ID

The new deadline for the REAL ID enforcement was pushed back one year to October 1, 2021. Even though you might not be able to visit your REAL ID center right now, we encourage you to have your documentation in order. What do you need to be prepared? Read more. 

Inspiring Young Women to be Future Transportation Industry Leaders

Chief Administrative Officer Soledad Alfaro shared some of her knowledge with Philadelphia high school girls as part of the event Women & Girls Transportation Initiative, whose mission is to increase the participation of women in the transportation industry and prepare young women to become future leaders. Read her inspiring words here.

PHL Offers Resources for Airport Employees Impacted by COVID-19

More than 20,000 people work at Philadelphia International Airport. To help those whose livelihood has been disrupted due to COVID-19, we created this online resource guide.

PHL thanks Airport Essential Employees

Being an airport essential employee during the COVID-19 crisis has been challenging, and at times, overwhelming. To show appreciation for essential personnel, the City of Philadelphia's Division of Aviation collaborated with MarketPlace PHL, the airport's food and shops organization, on a snack bag distribution. Read more here.

A Spotlight on our Employees

At PHL, we want to highlight the amazing work our employees do every day. For this first installment, Wallace Dubois, Airport Operations Supervisor, told us what he enjoys most about the airport, among other things. Read his profile here. 

Read the rest of our stories in our newsroom.

Cooking with the DOA Staff

One way to stay connected to the co-workers we are used to seeing, and often sharing lunchbreaks with, is to share favorite recipes. Here is a one from Senior IT Project Manager Denise Hurley-Forgach, who loves baking and creating new healthy recipes and photographing the creations with her husband. Denise has created a Facebook page with her recipes: https://www.facebook.com/groups/230035560374464/.

Denise’s Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch chunks
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 5 cups chicken stock
• 2 bay leaves
• 3/4 cup uncooked orzo pasta
• 1 sprig rosemary
• Juice of 1 lemon (use real lemons)
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leave

Directions:

1. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper, to taste. Add chicken to the stockpot and cook until golden, about 2-3 minutes; set aside.
2. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the stockpot. Add garlic, onion, carrots and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in thyme until fragrant, about 1 minute.
3. Whisk in chicken stock, bay leaves and 1 cup water; bring to a boil. Stir in orzo, rosemary and chicken; reduce heat and simmer until orzo is tender, about 10-12 minutes. Stir in lemon juice and parsley; season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Serve immediately.