Cancellations Due to Illness

Introduction

At TempStars, our mission is to improve the work lives of dental professionals while ensuring the safety and well-being of all parties involved in our service. This comprehensive policy outlines our approach to shift cancellations due to illness, including but not limited to COVID-19, influenza, common colds, and other communicable diseases that could pose risks in a healthcare setting.

Policy Scope

This policy applies to all dental professionals registered with TempStars, including dental hygienists, dental assistants, and any other professionals who may use our platform for temporary or permanent placements.

Illness-Related Cancellation Procedures

Initial Cancellation Due to Illness

If you need to cancel a booked shift due to illness-related issues, the following steps will be taken:

1. Immediate Cancellation: The shift you're unable to attend will be cancelled immediately.
2. 10-Day Booking Hold: We will cancel any shifts you have booked for the next 10 days from the date of reported illness.
3. Temporary Account Flag: A temporary flag will be placed on your account, preventing additional shift bookings within those 10 days, after which you'll be able to book shifts.
4. Note: Immediately after a cancellation due to illness, you can still book shifts beyond that 10 days, it's just you won't be able to book shifts that are scheduled during that 10-day window.

Reporting Process

To report an illness-related cancellation:

1. Log into your TempStars account as soon as possible.
2. Navigate to the "My Shifts" section.
3. Select the shift you need to cancel.
4. Choose "Illness" as the reason for cancellation.
5. Provide any additional details in the comments section if prompted.

Repeated Cancellations

In the event of repeated illness-related cancellations within a short timeframe:

1. Extended Booking Hold: A different temporary flag will be placed on your account for 2 months.
2. Cancellation of Existing Bookings: Any shifts already booked during this two-month period will be cancelled.
3. Account Review: Your account may be subject to a review to ensure the safety of all TempStars users.

Documentation Requirements

To maintain the integrity of our service and ensure the safety of all parties, we may request the following documentation:

1. Doctor's Note: A note from a healthcare provider confirming your illness or fitness to return to work.

Please note: All medical information will be treated with strict confidentiality in compliance with relevant privacy laws.

Return to Active Status

To return to active status on TempStars after an illness-related cancellation:

1. Wait for the hold period to end (10 days for initial cancellations, 2 months for repeated cancellations).
2. Ensure you're symptom-free and fit to work in a healthcare setting.
3. Submit any requested documentation to our support team.
4. Once cleared, the temporary flag will be removed from your account, allowing you to book shifts again.

Policy Rationale

This policy has been implemented for several crucial reasons:

1. Patient Safety: To protect vulnerable patients from potential exposure to communicable illnesses.
2. Co-worker Protection: To safeguard other dental professionals and office staff from potential infection.
3. Service Reliability: To maintain the integrity and dependability of our service for dental offices.
4. Adaptability: To allow for quick adjustments in response to evolving health situations and guidelines.

Compliance with Health Guidelines

While our policy may differ from some government or health organization guidelines:

1. We have chosen to implement a consistent approach across all illness types for simplicity and effectiveness.
2. Our policy errs on the side of caution to ensure maximum protection for all parties involved.
3. We continuously monitor health guidelines and may adjust our policy accordingly.

Impact on Professional Status

Please be aware that illness-related cancellations:

1. Will not negatively affect your overall rating on TempStars.
2. Will not impact your eligibility for "Pro" or "Elite" status, provided proper notification and documentation procedures are followed.

Support and Resources

TempStars is committed to supporting our professionals through health-related challenges:

1. Our support team is available to answer questions about this policy.
2. We can provide resources on best practices for illness prevention in dental settings upon request.
3. Information on local health services and testing facilities can be provided if needed.

Policy Updates and Communication

As health situations evolve and new information becomes available:

1. This policy will be reviewed regularly and updated as necessary.
2. Any changes to the policy will be communicated promptly via email and in-app notifications.
3. The most current version of this policy will always be available in the TempStars Knowledge Base.

Feedback and Suggestions

We value input from our community of dental professionals:

1. If you have suggestions for improving this policy, please submit them through our feedback form.
2. We regularly review all feedback and consider it in our policy update process.

By adhering to this policy, you're contributing to the safety and well-being of the entire TempStars community. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in maintaining a safe and reliable service for all our users.