HR Updates

Safe Return to Work Playbook 

The Division of Aviation’s Safe Work Playbook can be found on the Division of Aviation’s Intranet and on the HR Intranet page. Continue to follow CDC and City of Philadelphia guidelines!   

OnePhilly Self Service 

You have access to do and find so many things in Employee Self Service at https://ess-onephilly.phila.gov .   

Here is something to try this month: How to update your W-4 tax withholding. 

OnePhilly Training and Information Sessions 

The Human Resources Staffing Unit will be conducting OnePhilly Training and Information Sessions for all employees.  This is a great opportunity for first-time users, employees that need a refresher, or employees that have encountered issues with logging in and password resets.  After the session you will be able to:    

• Update personal information  
• View, save or print paystubs  
• Request employment verifications  
• And much more!  

Sessions will take place virtually or in-person, and appointments are required.  For more information and to schedule an appointment, please contact [email protected]. 

2020 City Administered Health Plan Employees  

OPEN ENROLLMENT!! 

Open enrollment for CAP employees will take place this year from November 6-20.  Postcards with information on enrollment, as well as how to prepare, will be mailed to employees at their address listed in Oracle.   

Open enrollment will be done via Employee Self-Service, so please make sure you can access ESS.  As always, the staffing team will be available to assist with open enrollment via Microsoft Teams and pre-scheduled onsite appointments.   

FLEX SPENDING ACCOUNT DEADLINE EXTENDED THROUGH DECEMBER!!

Dependent Care - Unused balances from 2019 will remain in your account until 12/31/2020.  Employees may submit eligible expenses to WageWorks for reimbursement until 12/31/2020.  There will be no “Carry Over” provision to the next year (in 2021) of unused balances remaining (from 2020). 

Health Care – remaining “carry-over” balances, up to $500, were transferred to employee’s 2020 HCFSAs in June.  Remaining 2019 balances more than $500 remain in employee’s 2019 HCFSA.  Both balances are available for reimbursement of eligible 2019 expenses.  Expenses submitted for reimbursement more than the balance remaining in employee’s 2019 HCFSA account are eligible for reimbursement.   

Employees must contact WageWorks customer support at 1-877-924-3967 to request transfer from 2020 HCFSA. 

Questions or comments related to CAP Benefits may be sent to [email protected] or [email protected]. 

October Staff Promotions

Congratulations to the following Division of Aviation employees promoted in the month of October:  

• Alexander Gendreau – Airport Assistant Operations Officer 
• Lawrence Scharff - Airport Assistant Operations Officer 
• Andre Brooks – Airport Communications Center Operator 2 
• Lucinda West – Administrative Specialist 2 – Non-Confidential 
• Monica Coleman – Administrative Specialist 1 – Non-Confidential 

Employee Highlights

Api Appulingam is President-Elect of the Women’s Transportation Seminar Philadelphia Chapter 

Api Appulingam, Deputy Director of Aviation, Capital Development, at Philadelphia International and Northeast Philadelphia Airports, was recently chosen as President-Elect of the Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS), Philadelphia Chapter.  

The Women’s Transportation Seminar, launched in 1977, is an international organization comprised of more than 40,000 professionals whose mission is to attract, sustain, connect, and advance women’s careers to strengthen the transportation industry. WTS Philadelphia is one of the most vibrant chapters and, over the decades, has grown steadily, attracting women and men throughout the five-county Delaware Valley region. Today, the chapter, which emerged in 1979, has more than 60 corporate and agency partners and over 300 members. 

Appulingam has been active with the WTS Philadelphia Chapter for over seven years and has served on the Board of Directors since 2015. She was previously elected to the Executive Board as the Corresponding Secretary for the 2019-2020 term.

Lucinda West is Recognized for her Work with Neurodivergent Employees at PHL  

Congratulations are in order! Earlier this month, the PA Workforce Development Association presented the 2020 Governor’s Achievement Award to Lucinda West and Philadelphia International Airport for their initiative of hiring four individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism as full-time employees. 

The Governor’s Achievement Award recognizes Pennsylvania employers that have developed a skilled workforce that meets the needs of Pennsylvania’s business community.

Lucinda and PHL were nominated for the award by the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. 

Information Security News

Information Security sends a big THANK YOU to all associates who have already completed their Security Awareness Training.  These important training modules reinforce the need for every associate to #BeCyberSmart.

See Something, Say Something

When it comes to cybersecurity, trust your instincts! If something doesn’t seem right, report it to the Helpdesk or Information Security directly. From a suspicious email to an unknown individual that cannot explain their presence or produce ID, all of us as associates at PHL make up the “Human Firewall” to protect against digital and physical cyber threats.   

November Cyber Term – “Email Thread Hijacking”

Cyber criminals know that one key to successful email phishing attacks is to get a user to let their guard down when viewing an email.

Email Thread Hijacking uses existing email conversations of its victims to entice users to click on links and open attachments. The first step for criminals is to compromise a victim’s email account. From there, the attackers review the Inbox and begin replying to unsuspecting contacts with malicious links and attachments.

These types of attacks are incredibly difficult to detect as a user, because it is a reply to an email they have sent – the Subject line will look familiar and the user is a known contact.  This attack method highlights the importance of asking whether an attachment or link seems out of place for the person sending it. When in doubt about a link or document over email, verify with the user over a phone call.  

PHL Begins New Enforcement Phase of Mask Compliance Policy 

The PHL Guest Experience team will launch the next phase of its MaskUpPHL campaign beginning Monday, November 2, 2020. This process continues the airport’s effort to ensure the safety of workers and guests while supporting the recovery of the aviation industry.  

PHL Guest Experience and Operations teams will begin issuing warnings to workers seen in passenger-facing areas of the facility who are not wearing a face mask over both their mouth and nose except while seated and actively eating or drinking. If approached, workers are required to present their badge to airport representatives, who will log their ID numbers to track warnings and violations.  

• Badged airport workers who receive 2 warnings will be issued a notice of violation resulting in a $75 fine. 
• Division of Aviation employees who receive 2 warnings will be placed through City of Philadelphia disciplinary protocols, resulting in a one-day suspension.  

 Please see the Emergency Regulation Requiring Passengers and City Tenant Employees to Wear a Face Mask on Premises for more information about wearing facial coverings in Philadelphia International Airport. This information is also available at PHL.org/policies. 

New PHL Food & Shops Offerings and Delivery Options 

PHL Food & Shops has new in-terminal options for guests and employees. Passyunk Steaks and Tagliare Pizza opened at the top of Terminal B on October 22. The eateries offer beef and chicken cheesesteaks, burgers, fries and a variety of pizzas. The renovated Good2Go reopened at the top of Terminal E on October 26. Now larger, the restaurant includes a seating area and new menu with hot and cold selections, as well as snacks and beverages.   

The opening of Passyunk Steaks and Tagliare brings the total number PHL Food & Shops concessions in operation to 83 out of 172 merchants.   

PHL Food & Shops is also the first airport program in the U.S. to offer the new contactless food ordering and delivery collaboration between Grab and AtYourGate. Passengers and employees can order meals through the Grab app, orderatphl.com., or by scanning one of the QR codes posted throughout the airport.  AtYourGate will deliver food directly to passengers in the terminals and to employees at their work locations. 

The current list of participating restaurants includes: Auntie Anne’s, Bar Symon, Bud & Marilyn’s, California Pizza Kitchen, Chickie’s & Pete’s (4 locations), Dunkin’ (Concourse D & D/E Connector), Gachi, Geno’s, Jack Duggan’s, Jamba (2 locations), Piattino Pizza, Smashburger (3 locations), and Vino Volo. First-time users can enter the promo code RUSH to save 20% off their first order (max discount is $5.00). More merchants will be added to the program in the coming months. 

MarketPlace PHL Celebrates the Holiday Season 

MarketPlace PHL will celebrate the holiday season with special offers for employees.  

During Thanksgiving Week, Grab mobile app users will receive $5 off one order between November 23-27 when they use the code THANKS.  In December, employees can take advantage of discounts between 20-50 percent off at participating merchants  during Employee Appreciation Week December 14-18.   

Look for more details on Employee Appreciation Week in the December newsletter. 

 City Holds Flu Vaccine Clinic in Terminal B Baggage Claim 

The City’s Department of Public Health is hosting a free flu vaccine clinic  in Terminal B Baggage Claim during the month of November.  Seasonal flu shots will be given to adults 19-64 years old, regardless of insurance, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on November 4, 5, 11, 12, 18 and 19. For more information, visit phila.gov/health. 

The Latest From PHL’s Online Newsroom:

Airlines:

PHL International Service: Connecting Businesses, People and Vital Services

David Jones, who moved to the Philadelphia area from England more than 20 years ago, and Flying Angels, Inc., a worldwide medical transport company headquartered at International Plaza, are just two examples of how PHL’s international air service is crucial to many private citizens, elected officials, associations, institutions, and companies.

Cargo:

PHL Establishes Air Cargo Council to Plan for Expansion

PHL is committed to increasing its cargo operations. More than 80 people participated in the airport’s recently established Philadelphia Air Cargo Council inaugural videoconference to learn what PHL can offer now and in the immediate future, as well as partnership opportunities.  

At the Airport

PHL’s Business Opportunity Forum Pairs Small and Diverse Businesses with New Opportunities

PHL’s Business Opportunity Forum, the airport's signature event that gives representatives of large, small, minority-owned, and disadvantaged business enterprises and organizations the opportunity to learn about the state of the airport and future contracting opportunities, drew more than 500 people to this year's virtual event. 

PHL Introduces Map Highlighting Touchless Health Amenities

Guests travelling through PHL can now use their smartphones, tablets or other electronic devices to locate touchless health amenities, including hand sanitizing stations and water bottle refilling stations.  

Airport Partners Working Together to #MaskUpPHL 

Have you seen some of your coworkers proudly displaying their #MaskUpPHL pinback buttons on their uniforms or lanyards? Wondering how you can get a hold of one? It’s easy; just use your facemask the correct way, over your mouth and nose! To date, the airport has distributed about 500 pins to employees ensuring a healthy and safe environment for everyone.  

Operations & Security:

Exercise Tests PHL Airport’s Emergency Preparedness

Responding to a major incident at the airport is a massive operation that requires close coordination among numerous responders and agencies. PHL carried out its Emergency Preparedness Exercise (EPEX), the official full-scale emergency exercise that FAA requires all certified airports to conduct at least once every three years, on October 24. Learn about the scenario and how the airport got ready for the exercise.

TSA Installing Acrylic Shields at PHL Checkpoints

To help lessen the likelihood of cross contamination among travelers and employees, the Transportation Security Administration is in the process of installing 1,230 acrylic barriers at security checkpoints at 37 priority airports nationwide, including Philadelphia International Airport. The protective barriers are being set up in areas where TSA officers typically interact with passengers. 

What to Know About How PHL Disinfects the Airport

Check out a behind-the-scenes look at what PHL’s teams are doing to keep the public safe during the COVID-19 public health crisis.  

PHL COO Keith Brune Re-elected to PA Aviation Council Board

Congratulations to PHL’s Chief Operating Officer Keith Brune for his re-election as a Director on the Board of the Aviation Council of Pennsylvania, a non-profit trade association whose aim is to improve and promote the aviation industry throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Read about Brune’s priorities for this new term here.

ARFF Captain Samuel Gollapalli Found his True Calling 

Inspired by the popular 1970s drama Emergency!, about two paramedics at the Los Angeles Fire Department, Samuel Gollapalli became a Philadelphia Fire Department paramedic in 1995. Gollapalli, who came to the United States from India in 1984 in pursuit of an education, eventually moved over to firefighting while climbing the ranks to Captain. Now, he’s in charge of the Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting unit, the PFD’s highly specialized company at PHL. 

ARFF Training Center at PHL is One of a Kind

Opened in 2002, PHL’s Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Training Center provides training mandated annually by the FAA for all fire fighters who work at airports and aviation facilities throughout the region. Curious about the intense training that the fire fighters have to endure at this facility? Read more. 

Capital Development:

PHL Enhances the Guest Experience by Updating its Restrooms

A key part of PHL’s recovery is restoring confidence throughout the entire passenger journey, from airport entry to security checkpoints to restrooms and beyond. As part of this effort, the airport continues modernizing its 48 sets of restrooms into cleaner and safer environments. 

Shopping & Dining:

New Signage Helps PHL Guests Easily Find Favorite Restaurants and Shops

Due to COVID-19, some merchants at PHL have changed their hours of operation, while others are not open at this time. To help guests more easily find what they are looking for, PHL Food & Shops has placed brightly colored signage at the entrance to the Terminal D gates, on freestanding sign holders throughout the airport and at a large storefront just past the Terminal B security checkpoint.