Beginning Oct. 11, in order to report to onsite work, Met Council employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or get weekly COVID-19 tests and test negative.
Read the COVID-19 Vaccine and Testing Requirement Procedure in Policy Central.
Submit your proof of vaccination now
Employees who are vaccinated must submit documentation to Human Resources to verify their vaccination status. The form for submitting proof of vaccination is available in Employee Self Service (ESS): https://pspess.metc.state.mn.us.
In order to be exempt from weekly testing when it begins on Oct. 11, proof of vaccination must be submitted by Oct. 4. After this deadline, you may submit proof of vaccination at any time, but you may still be subject to weekly testing until your vaccination status is reviewed and approved by Human Resources.
See below for instructions completing the form in ESS.
Provide proof of vaccination and get $150
Council members approved a vaccination incentive yesterday that will provide a $150 lump sum, cash incentive for every employee who has been fully vaccinated and submits their proof of vaccination through ESS.
Proof of vaccination must be submitted by Nov. 26, and the one-time payment will be included on the Dec. 10 paycheck. (Note: This payment is taxable.)
The action was included in the quarterly budget amendment item of the Sept. 22 Council meeting (watch the recording on our website).
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Instructions for submitting proof of vaccination
The record must have your name, date of birth, date(s) you received the COVID-19 vaccine, and type of vaccine received. Acceptable proof of vaccination includes:
- Your COVID-19 vaccination record card from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (received at your vaccination appointment)
- Immunization record from the Minnesota Department of Health’s Minnesota Immunization Information Connection (MIIC)
- Vaccination record from your doctor’s office
How to submit proof of vaccination
- Before you begin, save an electronic copy of your proof of vaccination where you’ll be able to access it and in one of the following file types: .PDF, .GIF, .PNG, .JPEG, .JPG, .TIFF, or .BMP.
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Log into ESS and navigate to the form: Main Menu > Self Service > Personal Information > MetC Vaccination Card.
- Upload a copy of your proof of vaccination, fill out the additional fields regarding your vaccination, and hit "Submit."
Review the instructions guide for help submitting your proof of vaccination (PDF).
 Proof of vaccination form in Employee Self Service.
Notes on the verification process:
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Do not fill out the form until after you have completed your vaccine series. Completion of the vaccine series means after the first dose for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and after the second dose for the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. Do not upload an image of your vaccine card after just your first dose of a two-dose series.
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Human Resources will review your submission. After you submit the form with the attached proof of vaccination, Human Resources will review the information. When HR has approved your submission, you'll receive a confirmation email from the system, and your status in ESS will change from Submitted to Approved.
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Attachments will not be stored permanently. The Met Council will delete any files you upload for this vaccination status form within seven days of verification.
New Docket mobile app for easy access to immunization record
Minnesotans can now easily access their immunization record through their smartphones or other mobile devices by using an app called Docket. Residents with a Minnesota Immunization Information Connection (MIIC) record can use the Docket app to access their record, including their COVID-19 vaccination.
The app provides a PDF document of your immunization record that can be saved to your mobile device, printed, emailed, or texted as needed. This PDF is acceptable as proof of vaccination for the Met Council.
Download the free app by searching “Docket” in your mobile device's app store, or go to Docket.Care to download the app. Use this quick step-by-step guide (PDF) for help using the Docket app.
Anyone who wants or needs access to their immunization record and does not have a smartphone or does not want to use the app can still request their immunization record from their health care provider or the Minnesota Department of Health. Visit the MDH website for help finding your immunization record.
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Questions on the vaccine and testing requirement
We appreciate your questions and patience as we work out the details to facilitate this process and avoid work disruptions where possible.
Check the COVID-19 FAQ page on MetNet for more information on the vaccine and testing requirement.
Read these regular all-staff COVID-19 emails as more details are finalized and shared around the testing process, including division-specific procedures, information for contractors, and more.
Human Resources hosted two Ask HR online sessions this week for managers and supervisors to help clarify details around the vaccination and testing requirement and procedure. If you could not attend, watch the recording of the Monday session on Stream.
For questions about the vaccination requirement, contact your supervisor or manager, review MetNet and these all-staff COVID-19 update emails, or submit your question with your name through the online COVID-19 form. For questions about submitting proof of vaccination in ESS, email ESS.HRIS@metc.state.mn.us.
Weekly testing process details coming soon
Met Council leadership have been working on the detailed process for facilitating regular testing starting Oct. 11 for employees who will not be vaccinated or are unable to be vaccinated.
Specific direction about the testing process will be shared next week.
Initial details on the testing process:
- Multiple methods will be available, including saliva tests or the option to use a HealthPartners clinic.
- The Met Council will be providing no-cost testing options for employees.
- Regardless of the reason for not getting vaccinated, including religious or medical reasons, staff who are not fully vaccinated will need to get tested for COVID-19 weekly and test negative to continue working onsite.
- You will be considered unvaccinated if you decline to provide proof of vaccination.
Contractors working on Met Council projects will also receive guidance next week regarding their responsibilities to be vaccinated or tested. This is especially important for contract employees who are interacting directly with Met Council staff, on projects, and in facilities.
Make your appointment now to get vaccinated
Check out these tools to find vaccine appointments:
Important reminders related to the vaccine:
- To be fully vaccinated with the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines, two shots are required. If you’ve missed your second dose for any reason, get it as soon as possible.
- You are considered fully vaccinated two weeks from the final vaccine dose.
- Even after you are fully vaccinated, you should continue to follow safety recommendations by public health officials and get tested if you are showing symptoms of COVID-19.
Continue testing to stop the spread of COVID-19
Anyone who is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should immediately contact their health care provider and seek testing, regardless of their vaccination status. How to get a COVID-19 test:
Announcements for teleworking employees
Telework Agreement Form now available
The Telework Agreement Form was updated as the organization prepares for the new, long-term hybrid workplace with a mixture of onsite, hybrid, and remote workers. The form is required for all staff who are teleworking as part of the new schedules that will be finalized this fall. The form is now online and routed automatically through the approval process.
The new Telework Agreement Form is available on MetNet.
Telework transition timeline
As announced in The Wire on Tuesday, the pandemic Incident Command team updated guidance regarding the return-to-office timeline:
- Complete the Telework Agreement Form by mid-October and implement at the appropriate time.
- Continue teleworking, if you can, through at least Oct. 31.
- Work groups may bring teleworking employees back onsite now if necessary to address emerging business needs, especially for just a day or two.
- Staff do not need a telework agreement in place for temporary, short-term assignments onsite.
- Return to the office between Nov. 1 and Jan. 3 for critical business needs.
- Work groups may implement the timeline for returning to the office at any time in this window to respond to critical business needs. Exact time determined by work group or individually with manager.
- Departments must notify teleworking employees 30 days in advance of requiring them to return formally to onsite work. If those employees will be teleworking into the future, their telework agreements must be completed 30 days ahead of the required return to the office.
Making your plan
Follow this process to determine and formalize your telework transition plan:
- Department sets and communicates general direction to their staff for when employees should return.
- Teleworking employee determines with their manager their new schedule and effective date.
- Employee completes the online Telework Agreement Form and manager or supervisor approves by mid-October.
Telework Transition FAQs
Teleworkers can review the Telework Transition FAQ page on MetNet for details and tools to help in planning for and implementing their new schedules.
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