** March 20, 2020 **

With the continued spread and ever-increasing response to COVID-19, we want to update you on what O’Connell Electric is doing in response to this pandemic.  From the beginning, our focus has been and remains on the health and safety of our employees, our customers and the communities we work in.

Under Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order No. 202.7, we are considered exempt, as we fall under the essential business category of Construction.  More specifically, the Executive Order mentions “skilled trades such as electricians,” and “other related professionals for essential infrastructure or for emergency repair and safety purposes.”

Notwithstanding this exemption, we have worked with each Division Office and significantly reduced the number of Employees who are coming to the office.  We have done this out of care and concern for our Employees, their families and the communities around us.

We remain open for business and ready to serve your needs.  We recognize that many projects have slowed down, or even stopped in some cases, but we will continue to work safely and productively everywhere needed.  If you have an immediate emergent need that we can help you with, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Our Project Managers and Estimators are working remotely in many cases, but they are fully equipped to continue their work as usual.  Additionally, our back office Staff remains in place to support our Field Operations.  Our Leadership Team remains in constant contact with their individual Teams and our Executives.

This is a challenging time for our Company, your Organization and our Country.  It is critical that we all do our part and exercise social-distancing at all times.

Tips for keeping yourself and others healthy:

  • If you are working from home, stay at home. Being at home during this time is not intended to be an opportunity to socialize with other family and friends.
  • If you have been quarantined or live with someone who is quarantined, be thoughtful and self-quarantine. Stay away from others.
  • If you are leaving home to go to work, but do not feel well, please stay home. Don’t over expose yourself or others.
  • Stop handshaking – use other noncontact methods of greeting.
  • Clean hands at the door and schedule regular hand washing reminders.
  • Disinfect surfaces like doorknobs, tables, desks, and handrails regularly

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

Contact Us

**Questions, concerns, or comments made through this page will be sent directly to Susan Parkes-McNally, Executive Vice President of Human Resources, and Dan Oberlies, Director of Safety and Risk Management.

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** March 18, 2020 **

We continue to closely monitor the COVID-19 virus and the responses throughout our Nation, State and Communities.  Our greatest concern is the health and well-being of our Employees.

We would like to reiterate the following:

  1. At this time, we have no intent to close any of our Offices or shut down our Field Operations. We are prepared to abide by Governor Cuomo’s mandate once it is issued and becomes effective.
  2. Customers have begun to impose further restrictions and prohibitions against our Employees and others gaining access to their facilities. This will likely impact our ability to complete some projects we have begun, at least in the near future.
  3. In the event that an Employee voluntarily removes themselves from their current work assignment due to their concern about COVID-19, we will do all we can to reassign those employees. If a reasonable reassignment cannot be established, that Employee will be given the opportunity to take time off using time off benefits, if available.
  4. If an Employee voluntarily removes themselves from their current work assignment and cannot be reassigned and has no time off benefits available, they will be laid-off/furloughed and eligible for Unemployment.
  5. If the work load is diminished by COVID-19, and we are forced accordingly to reduce our workforce, Employees will be given the opportunity to take time off using their available time off benefits. After those benefits have been exhausted, or if no time off benefits are available, those Employees will be laid-off/furloughed and eligible for Unemployment.  It is our intent to get people back to work as soon as appropriate, and we will honor recall provisions in our Collective Bargaining Agreements.
  6. We will continue to instruct and educate all Employees on the recommended precautions against being exposed to and contracting COVID-19.
  7. For any Field or Office Employee that knowingly have been exposed to a quarantined or infected person, they shall remain home for a minimum of 14 calendar days. If Field or Office Employees do stay home, based on the COVID-19 virus for any reason, HR must be immediately notified.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

Contact Us

**Questions, concerns, or comments made through this page will be sent directly to Susan Parkes-McNally, Executive Vice President of Human Resources, and Dan Oberlies, Director of Safety and Risk Management.

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** March 14, 2020 **

With the increase in the attention to COVID-19, we want to share with you that O’Connell Electric is continuously monitoring the situation.  From the beginning, our focus has been and remains on the health and safety of our employees, our customers and the communities we work in.

We are constantly evaluating the COVID-19 impact and monitoring available information from the CDC and WHO.  As their recommendations change, we will update our Pandemic Response Plan as needed.  Additionally we will alter our communication to our Employees.

We are actively communicating to our Office and Field Personnel, providing appropriate updates as necessary.  We have provided guidance to our Leadership Team regarding business continuity of our office and support staff in the event that administrative functions are significantly impacted. Additionally, our Field Operations have developed individual Business Continuity Plans for their specific operations.

Our Field Personnel work in dynamic environments that may pose unique challenges. We continue to monitor those environments and work with our Customers to update and educate our Employees.  We encourage our Employees to be attentive to their surroundings and speak up if they feel unsafe or concerned about their personal health.

We thank our valued Customers for continuing to keep us abreast of your response to this evolving situation.  We all share the common goal of keeping everyone healthy and safe

Please be reminded of what the CDC has shared on their website:

Practice good hygiene:

  • Stop handshaking – use other noncontact methods of greeting.
  • Clean hands at the door and schedule regular hand washing reminders by email.
  • Create habits and reminders to avoid touching their faces and cover coughs and sneezes.
  • Disinfect surfaces like doorknobs, tables, desks, and handrails regularly.
  • Increase ventilation by opening windows or adjusting air conditioning.

Be careful with meetings and travel:

  • Use videoconferencing for meetings when possible.
  • When not possible, hold meetings in open, well-ventilated spaces.
  • Consider adjusting or postponing large meetings or gatherings.
  • Assess the risks of business travel.
  • Handle food carefully and limit food sharing.

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** March 13, 2020 **

We continue to closely monitor the COVID-19 virus and the responses throughout our Nation, State and Communities.  Our greatest concern is the health and well-being of our Employees.  We are also remaining very responsive to the needs and request of our valued Customers.

The following are conditions that are in place, effective immediately, through April 13, 2020:

  1. All communications related to the COVID-19 outbreak must be discussed with and cleared by Susan Parkes-McNally or Dan Oberlies.
  2. All Vendors shall be asked to discontinue visits to our facilities. Vendor interaction shall be limited to necessary deliveries to our warehouses and offices.  Those making deliveries need to sign in with a full name, contact phone number and the date.
  3. Intra-Company Field and Office Employees visits between offices shall be limited, and only occur as absolutely necessary.
  4. Internal in-person business meetings and committee meetings shall be transitioned to a conference call or Skype.
  5. Business travel to conferences, training, etc. must be pre-approved by Susan Parkes-McNally or Dan Oberlies.
  6. Visiting Customers shall be kept to a minimum. Telephone and off-site meetings are encouraged.
  7. For any Field or Office Employee that knowingly have been exposed to a quarantined or infected person, they shall remain home for a minimum of 2-weeks. If Field or Office Employees do stay home, established notification procedures shall be followed.