Employee Emergency Information

Hurricane Eta Updates:

UPDATE #2 (11.12.20 12:11 p.m.) —

After assessing the PCTC offices for damage, it has been determined we can return to normal business operations tomorrow, Friday, November 13^th.  Thank you.

Please continue to check back here or the emergency hotline, 727-464-3863, for updates.

Thank you.

UPDATE #1 (11.11.20 10:46 a.m.) —

Due to weather conditions expected from Hurricane Eta, all PCTC offices will be closed Thursday, November 12.  Please continue to check back here or the emergency hotline, 727-464-3863, for updates.

Thank you.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates:

UPDATE #10 (07.19.20 3:30 p.m.) —

Last night we were informed about another positive COVID-19 case at the GTB location. Based on the information we have at this time, the GTB office will not be closing.  There are a few reasons behind this decision:

1. First, according to the CDC, cloth face covers help prevent the spread of COVID-19 especially when widely used in public settings.  Since the beginning of July, all PCTC staff have been required to wear a face covering while at work.
2. Second, after further research, we found that other local city and county government and private organizations have not closed.  This includes Tax Collector Offices from surrounding counties.
3. Lastly, we have a statutory obligation to serve the citizens.  We cannot fulfill this duty if our offices are constantly closing.

Please know that our concern for your safety and the customers well-being has not lessened, we just have more information at this time. While we took a very conservative approach in the beginning, we must base our decisions on the latest information, developments, and recommendations at hand.  Between the face coverings, social distancing, and the other safety precautions we have in place, the chance of spread is greatly reduced. The office will be deep cleaned and anyone wishing to be tested can use their emergency sick time for that purpose – it will be considered scheduled.  Please reach out to PCTC HR for assistance.

Thank you.

UPDATE #9 (06.29.20 7:42 p.m.) —

We had an employee at the Skyway office test positive for COVID-19.  In an abundance of caution, we are closing the Skyway office until further notice.  The office will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected prior to reopening.  All employees working at the Skyway Office are required to be tested and stay home until they receive test results. A negative COVID-19 test is required prior to returning to work.

While the office is closed, Skyway employees will receive Leave With Pay to get tested and await results.  When the office reopens, the emergency paid sick leave granted to every employee can be utilized.  If you have used all or a portion of your emergency paid sick leave, or have questions about COVID-19 resources, please contact PCTC HR to discuss your options.

COVID-19 testing sites can be found here: Testing Sites.  You can also contact your primary physician for additional testing location information or arrangements.

Test results should be called in to Julie at 727-582-7639.

Thank you.

UPDATE #8 (06.23.20 4:45 p.m.) —

All GTB employees cleared to return to work (with a negative COVID-19 test result) are to report to the GTB office at 8 a.m. tomorrow, Wednesday, June 24^th.  The office has been thoroughly cleaned and sanitized according to CDC guidelines and is prepared for your return.  Employees are all required to wear masks at all times while at work, and will need to bring documentation of their negative test results.

The first day back will be for catching up on background duties such as mail and drop box items.  This will help prepare the office for reopening to customers.

Thank you.

UPDATE #7 (06.22.20 3:20 p.m.) —

A message from Carlos:

Dear PCTC Team,

I’d like to clarify some things to prevent speculation and the spread of misinformation.

At this time, we are only aware of three positive COVID-19 cases at our Gulf to Bay office.  Positive cases have NOT been reported at any other PCTC location.  However, due to the recent situation, we are implementing additional precautionary measures.

First, we are in the process of distributing thermometers to each location. Starting at some point this week, temperature checks for all staff will be implemented.   This will be done daily upon arrival to the office.  Employees with a temperature of 100.4 degrees F or higher will be sent home.  This process aligns with CDC guidance.

Next, after much consideration, it’s been decided that all staff must wear a mask at all times – starting Monday, June 22.  Exceptions apply only to phone staff or employees with their own office.

• Phone staff don’t have to wear a mask when on the phone, but must wear a mask at all times otherwise.
• Employees with an office are not required to wear a mask if they are alone in their office.  All other times, a mask must be worn.

Finally, as a reminder, we all must adhere to the six-foot social distancing recommendation.  Your Executive Team and I are doing our best to protect your health and safety – we need you to do your part too.  This applies to all areas of every office.  The only exception is during transactions where social distancing is not feasible due to requirements of the transaction.  All other violations should be reported to your management, Deputy, or PCTC HR.

We will continue to monitor the situation and stay up-to-date on all recommendations.   We are doing everything we can within our power considering we are a government essential business.  Pinellas County citizens need our service and it is our statutory duty to provide it.

Thank you for your continued dedication to the PCTC and commitment to our customers.  The agility of our team continues to make me proud and I remain very grateful for that.

Please pass any questions or concerns up to your management.  We will do our best to address any inquiries as quickly as possible.

Sincerely,

Carlos

UPDATE #6 (06.18.20 12:03 p.m.) —

We had an employee at the Gulf to Bay office test positive for COVID-19.  In an abundance of caution, we are closing the GTB office until further notice.  The office will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected prior to reopening.  All employees working at the Gulf to Bay Office are required to be tested and self-quarantine until they receive test results. A negative COVID-19 test is required prior to returning to work.

The emergency paid sick leave granted to every employee can be utilized for this absence to get tested and await results.  If you have used all or a portion of your emergency paid sick leave, or have questions about COVID-19 resources, please contact HR to discuss your options.

COVID-19 testing sites can be found here: Testing Sites

If you are having difficulty scheduling a test because you have no symptoms, please tell your doctor or testing facility that you are a Pinellas County government essential employee who works in a location with a positive case.

If you are still having trouble, contact Marie Roberts at UPS Employee Relations

• Cell 727-275-0381
• Office 727-464-4521
• Main 727-464-3796
• Email: mroberts@pinellascounty.org

Test results should be called in to Tori at 727-560-3512 or Mari at 727-647-4433.

Thank you.

UPDATE #5 (06.16.20 6:47 p.m.) —

We had an employee at the Gulf to Bay office test positive for COVID-19.  In an abundance of caution, we are closing the GTB office until further notice.  The office will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected prior to reopening.  All employees working at the Gulf to Bay Office are required to be tested and self-quarantine until they receive test results. A negative COVID-19 test is required prior to returning to work.

The emergency paid sick leave granted to every employee can be utilized for this absence to get tested and await results.  If you have used all or a portion of your emergency paid sick leave, or have questions about COVID-19 resources, please contact HR to discuss your options.

Thank you.

UPDATE #4 (05.18.20 2:30 p.m.) —

Dear PCTC Team,

I am sure everyone is looking forward to the approaching holiday weekend.  I know I am.  Although our Memorial Day celebrations may look a little different this year, the reason for the holiday remains unchanged.  Please be sure to take a few moments to honor and remember the service men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.  Their courage and dedication serve as an inspiration and will never be forgotten.

I hope you are able to enjoy the long weekend in spite of everything that’s going on.  May you find time to relax and unwind.

That being said, I also have more information I’d like to share with everyone regarding Phase II of our reopening.

As of right now, we will reopen to customers, by appointment only, at our North County Office on Monday, June 1^st and our Gulf to Bay Office on Monday, June 8^th.  Our Analyst Team is in the process of opening the calendar to the public for both locations in alignment with those dates.  Staff may be asked to report to Gulf to Bay prior to this date in order to prepare the office for reopening.  Also, if everything is in place sooner, we might be able to start accepting customers at Gulf to Bay sooner than June 8^th.  We will know more as installation of the protective barriers progresses and will communicate any changes as they arise. Please keep in mind, this means, as of June 1st, all employees will return to the 5 day/40 hour a week work schedule. 

Your Executive Team and I understand some of you may have concerns about opening back up to the public.  Please know, all plans were created with your health and safety being a top priority.  All precautionary measures in place at Mid County will apply to North County and Gulf to Bay as well, i.e. protective barriers, social distancing, customer screening, etc.  We are confident the timing is right for our offices to reopen.  The citizens of Pinellas County need our services and it is our statutory duty to provide them.

In the face of this crisis, you all stepped up to the plate to serve our customers to the best of our ability.  You’ve been agile and open-minded from the start and I will never be able to express the depth of my appreciation for this.  If anything changes, I will let you know.

Please continue to be safe and thank you for everything you do.

Sincerely,

Carlos

UPDATE #3 (04.30.20 11:30 a.m.) —

Dear PCTC Team,

Your Executive Team and I have been diligently working on developing a reopening plan that encompasses various safety measures for employees and customers.  We are taking a phased and methodical approach to our reopening process.

As always, your health and safety have been at the forefront of every decision we’ve made.  As we begin the first phase of this process, we will offer limited services to just Pinellas County residents, by appointment ONLY.  Additionally, only the customer doing business with our office will be allowed inside (exceptions may be made for small children).  Two security guards will be in place to screen customers prior to allowing entry into our facility.   We will continue to adhere to social distancing guidelines and have additional precautionary measures in place.

In the beginning, we are only opening our Mid County location and several contingencies will be in place to ensure we are still adhering to all recommended guidelines.

Please see below for specific plan details:

Precautionary Measures

• Protective barriers (glass or acrylic) at each customer-facing workstation
• Employees will be provided with two masks each
• Hand sanitizer will be provided
• Workstations spaced appropriately for social distancing
• Day porters will thoroughly clean throughout the day
• No face-to-face meetings unless social distancing can be adhered to
• Directional and spacing markers on the floor

Work Hours

• Maintain group A and B schedules
• Hours of work adjusted to 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (with a 7:55 a.m. – 4:55 p.m. shift)
• Public hours
  • 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
  • 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday
• Staff may be assigned to a different location at this time and duties may shift

Limited Services Offered by Appointment ONLY

• DL
• CDL
  • No hazmat at this time
• ADLTS
  • Social distancing in testing area
  • Disinfect testing area after each customer
• DMV – titles
• Multi-Service (DL/DMV only)

Services Available Through Other Avenues

• Registrations
  • Online, by mail or drop box, by phone, customer request form through FLHSMV, and new kiosks (coming soon!)
• Property tax payments
  • Online, by mail or drop box, by phone
• Disabled Parking Placards
  • By mail or drop box

Services Not Offered at This Time

• Hunting and Fishing
• Birth Certificates
  • Unless needed to complete a transaction listed above
• Concealed Weapon Licensing
• Road Tests
• Verbals

We will begin our transition next week on Thursday, May 7th.  As an organization, the PCTC transitioned quickly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  I have every confidence that we are ready for this first step and strongly believe we have done everything in our power to protect you as we begin to invite the public back into our facility.  In fact, our decision to reopen next week aligns with Tax Collector offices in our surrounding counties.  Hillsborough, Manatee, and Pasco are opening one or more of their offices next Monday, May 4.

This phased reopening plan allows us to ease back into operations and make changes when and if necessary. Keep in mind, we will continue to watch the COVID-19 situation closely and follow all safety recommendations.

Thank you again for everything you’ve done and continue to do throughout this crisis.  This situation is something none of us have experienced before and we understand how stressful the unknown is.  Please direct any questions or concerns to your management.

Also, thank you to the team members that participated in the reopening planning process:

As always, stay safe.

Most sincerely,

Carlos

UPDATE #2 (03.19.20 7:15 p.m.) —

As you may know, effective immediately, all Pinellas County Tax Collector offices are closed to the public.  Employees are to report to work according their group A or B schedule.  If you are unclear which group you are assigned to, please contact your management for clarification.

If you are unable to show up for your scheduled shift, please adhere to the regular call-in policy.

Thank you.

UPDATE #1 (03.14.20 11:35 a.m.) —

As you may know, late Friday afternoon, a decision was made to close all public schools from March 16^th through March 27^th.  We understand that this decision may place some of our employees in a position where previously arranged childcare is no longer available.  In order to assist the employees that this decision will effect in that manner, the following process will be implemented from March 16^th through  March 27^th.

If you are a parent or legal guardian of school age children that require supervision and you do not have any other means of childcare, absences from March 16^th through March 27^th will be considered scheduled with the following items being in place:

• Absences will be deducted from all available leave banks including annual leave and floating holidays.
  • If you do not have enough leave available, all available leave banks including annual leave and floating holidays must be exhausted, prior to going into an approved leave without pay status.
• You must report your absences to your supervisor on a weekly basis and indicate how your leave will be used – such as scheduled annual leave, floating holiday, or approved leave without pay after all available leave is exhausted.

Please remember that we are trying to balance taking care of all employees, their families and the citizens of Pinellas County.  If you have other childcare options available, please utilize them.  This process is based on the honor system and we trust all employees to do the right thing.

Other individual situations will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

We are all concerned about the coronavirus and keeping everyone healthy.

Please check the PCTC Employee Hotline at # 727-464-3683 for updated messages.