Dear Colleagues –
Earlier this week Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker extended the statewide closure of all non-essential businesses as well as the “stay-at-home” advisory to May 4. Essential MBL services such as critical research and animal care, facilities support, and security are continuing under the directive.
All employees should continue to work remotely, if possible, and assume you will continue to do so until May 4 unless you’ve been directed otherwise from your manager. Managers of employees who are in essential functions but who cannot work remotely have already discussed specific plans with their staff.
EAP Resources
In addition to the counseling, work/life referrals, and legal/financial consultations normally provided, MBL’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) has developed a series of informative tip sheets specifically related to COVID-19. Regularly updated information is available on their website at https://eap.ndbh.com/. Topics include:
- Coronavirus and Mental Health Tips
- Tips for what to do when feeling overwhelmed about an outbreak
- How to talk to your kids about Coronavirus
- Tips for transitioning to work from home
- Guidance for Leadership on how to talk with staff about Coronavirus
EAP assistance is available to employees, their immediate family members, and their household members. Counselors are also available 24/7 for confidential live chat by phone at 800-828-6025.
MBL Summer Camp
As you know in recent weeks, the MBL has taken a number of measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health and safety of our entire community. Among them has been the difficult decision to cancel our spring and early summer educational programs. To that end, the MBL children’s summer camp has also been cancelled for the months of June and July. At the present time, we are assessing the feasibility of providing programming for the month of August. A second notification will be posted when that decision is made. If you have questions, contact Christopher Morgan-Janes, Stewart-Moore Director of Children’s Programs at cmorgan-janes@mbl.edu.
We urge all staff to continue to use the MBL’s coronavirus website and intranet pages for the latest updates, developments, and resources. COVID-19 information and resources are also available on the MBL App. For specific questions, concerns, or clarifications, please contact your supervisor or Human Resources team at hr@mbl.edu.
Paul Speer
Chief Operating Officer
Ann Egan
Director, Human Resources