02 Apr Contagious Illness Policy for Volunteers

The Center for Solace (CfS) maintains a commitment to follow the guidelines of the CDC, NIH, and VT Department of Health in regard to all contagious diseases. As guidelines can change due to the activity of a specific pathogen, CfC’s guidelines and requirements may also change.

We ask all volunteers and employees to cooperate in taking steps to reduce the transmission of contagious diseases in the workplace. The best strategy remains the most obvious:  stay home if sick.  In addition, frequent hand washing with warm, soapy water, covering your mouth whenever you sneeze or cough, discarding used tissues in wastebaskets, and use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers are encouraged.

(A) Vaccination

1. All staff and volunteers who work directly with Serious Illness, Early Care and Hospice clients must be up to date with vaccinations as per their healthcare provider’s recommendation.

(B) Masking

1. If a client (or their caregiver) requests that volunteers and staff be masked, the volunteers and staff members are expected to comply.
2. If the client does not express a preference, the decision for volunteers and staff to mask themselves is solely up to them.
3. Anyone with symptoms of respiratory illness of any kind must mask until they are symptom-free.

(C) Illness in the Case of the Volunteer

1. If a volunteer is experiencing ANY symptoms of potentially contagious illness, including but not limited to: cough, elevated temperature, muscle or body aches, chills, fatigue, nasal congestion or runny nose, sore throat, diarrhea, vomiting, or intestinal cramping, and they are due to interact with a client in 24 hours or less, they are to call or email the program coordinator as soon as possible to report their status. This allows the program coordinator to assess the situation and make changes as needed.
2. If a volunteer is planning on attending any CfS programming such as, but not limited to: in-service trainings, support groups, volunteer gatherings, Death Cafes,  Kitchen Table Conversations, or memorial gatherings and they develop symptoms of illness as listed above, they are to call the main number and speak to the admin assistant. Do not attend the event or come to the office in person.
3. If the volunteer is in need of antigen tests, masks, or other support, call the main number to arrange for pick-up. If the needed supplies are not available, efforts will be made to identify where they can be obtained.
4. Volunteers who are noted to be ill in the office, at an event or training, or at other CfS events will be sent home under this policy.

Updated 04/02/2025. EB