The COVID-19 PTO Fund: A Way to Say to Your VNSNY Co-Workers, “We’re All One Family”

“We’re all in this together,” explains Seth Meisel, a VNSNY physical therapist in South Queens. “We’re all one family at VNSNY, and one way you help your family is by sharing.” Like many other people at VNSNY, Seth is generously sharing some of the Paid Time Off (PTO) he’s saved, donating three days to the COVID-19 PTO Fund that VNSNY set up to help staffers affected by the pandemic.

“Sharing is something very personal,” notes Seth, who has been with VNSNY for 35 years and lives in East Meadow on Long Island. “We’re helping our colleagues make ends meet in a horrible situation.”

“People are donating very generously,” says Marki Flannery, President and CEO of VNSNY. “So far, 197 people have contributed over 5,000 hours. Thank you to those of you who donated PTO—and to our entire staff for your hard work, courage, and dedication!”

“We’re seeing staff at all levels from across VNSNY making donations,” adds Marian Haas, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer. “It doesn’t matter how much someone donates—It all goes into the pool, and it all helps.”

The fund began accepting donations on April 17, reports Jennifer Whetsell, Associate General Counsel of Labor & Employment in VNSNY’s Legal Department, who is advising the committee overseeing the program. The goal, says Jennifer, is to help colleagues who have little or no time left in their PTO banks “because they’re ill or they need to take care of a family member who’s ill,” or who have been furloughed.

As Linda Reid, Director of Workforce Planning and Diversity and head of the fund committee, points out, every donation, large or small, translates into additional support for a VNSNY colleague. “Many people have donated a week or more of time,” she says, “but even a donation of a few hours is generous.”

Andrew Plisner, Program Supervisor for Community Mental Health Services’ Promise Zone, which provides a range of mental-health and support services to nine schools in the Bronx, says he’s been thinking about how to create community at this tough time and how to support those who need help. The VNSNY COVID-19 PTO Fund is a perfect answer.

“I’m a believer in mutual aid,” says Andrew, who donated 70 hours of his PTO. “It’s our responsibility to care for one another. If we equitably share resources, it will allow us to live our fullest lives.” He views the fund as “a beautiful opportunity to cultivate community and collective support, and strengthen the family-centered approach that VNSNY is trying to develop.”

The COVID-19 PTO Fund will start accepting applications for assistance on May 4th. A bulletin with information about how to request donated time will be issued later this week.

Wish to donate PTO hours?

The deadline for staff to donate PTO is May 15. All donated hours will be valued at the salary level of the person making the donation, and will also be recognized in VNSNY’s Strength from Within Employee Giving Campaign. For information on how to donate PTO, go to the home page of the VNSNY Intranet and click on the VNSNY COVID-19 PTO Fund banner. If you have any questions, you can also send an Ask HR ticket to HRConnect.

“Donating could be an especially good option for staff who are approaching their PTO maximum balance—35 days,” notes Marian Haas. “Some VNSNY staff members have indicated they don’t want to take time off right now, but they’re at or near the maximum. The PTO Donation Fund is a perfect opportunity for these employees to help others and also reduce their balances so they continue to accrue PTO.”