Westmoreland County recalling furloughed workers

Nearly half of the 475 Westmoreland County government employees furloughed in early April will be recalled to work by mid-June, officials said while making plans to increase courthouse office staff while meeting social distancing guidelines.

“We hope everybody is back sometime in June,” Commissioner Sean Kertes said Wednesday.

Furloughs came as commissioners scaled back government operations amid the coronavirus pandemic in response to state restrictions that ordered all but essential personnel to remain home. Over the last month, as some restrictions eased, county staff has been called back to allow for expanded services, specifically in departments associated with the court system, which has gradually increased operations.

Human Resources Director Amanda Bernard said 161 furloughed workers are back on the job and another 68 are scheduled to return by June 15. Employee recalls have primarily been based in court offices and custodial staff but over the next several weeks, additional workers will return to the payroll .

More employees could be asked to return when the county moves to the green phase of the governor’s coronavirus reopening plan, she said.

“There has been no conversations of permanent layoffs,” Bernard wrote in an email.

Courthouse operations have been mostly limited to services offered on an appointment-only basis. That would change upon a move the green phase, Bernard said.

Since April, courthouse staff and visitors have been required to pass a screening including temperature checks and questions about coronavirus exposure. Kertes said it hasn’t been decided if those screenings will continue beyond the end of May.

“A decision will be made next week,” he said.

Additional precautions are in the works.

Public Works Director Greg McCloskey said work crews are adding plastic shields at counters where courthouse staff have contact with the public. Surveys of county office space are underway to determine how best to allow staff to work while adhering to social distancing guidelines.

Plans are in place to install arrows and signs in hallways to direct the public through the courthouse as part of the social distancing plan.

“We have 90% of the plastic shields in place and over the next two weeks we’ll get the social distancing in place for the public,” McCloskey said.

County parks reopened and additional public works employees have been recalled in the last weeks to provide upkeep. McCloskey said the county resumed park pavilion rentals.

“When the county goes to the green phase, it won’t be a large transition for us,” McCloskey said.