VCOM Faculty Handbook

in all four campus communities, as well as nearby state parks for recreation.

Workplace Cleanliness VCOM requires students, faculty, and staff to establish and maintain a high standard of cleanliness and hygiene across all facilities of the medical school, in research spaces, and in clinical settings. Clean and orderly workspaces are essential to creating a professional, safe, and healthy environment that supports education, research, clinical training, and patient care. All individuals are expected to maintain cleanliness in their own work areas. Desks, offices, and laboratories must be kept tidy and free of unnecessary clutter. Individuals must properly dispose of waste and promptly clean and/or disinfect spills or other accidents. All work areas must be kept free from unpleasant or persistent odors. Spaces that develop a strong or offensive smell, whether due to food, trash, mold, or any other cause, should be addressed immediately. Individuals are responsible for identifying and resolving the source when it is within their control, or for notifying Facilities if the issue requires further attention. Shared spaces such as classrooms, meeting rooms, and lounges should be left clean after use, with all materials returned to their proper place and surfaces wiped if needed. Restrooms, locker rooms, and other personal hygiene facilities must be used respectfully and kept in sanitary condition. Any issues such as leaks, supply shortages, or sanitation concerns must be reported immediately to Facilities. Laboratories and clinical spaces are held to stricter sanitation standards. All individuals working in these areas must follow established safety and infection control procedures, including appropriate use of personal protective equipment, proper cleaning of surfaces and instruments, and compliant disposal of medical or hazardous waste. Each person is responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of the areas they use. Personal items should be stored in a way that does not interfere with shared workspaces or pose any safety risks. Hygiene supplies such as disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer, and soap will be made available, and their use is strongly encouraged throughout the day, especially after shared equipment is used. Custodial staff will clean and disinfect on a regular schedule. However, individuals must not rely solely on custodial services to maintain order in personal and shared work areas. Any specific cleaning needs or incidents requiring urgent attention, such as spills, biohazard exposure, or pest control, should be reported promptly to Facilities. Adherence to this policy is mandatory. Failure to follow cleanliness protocols may result in corrective action, including verbal or written warnings, restricted access to facilities, or formal disciplinary measures. Food and Drink in the Workplace As an osteopathic medical college, VCOM seeks to promote the health and well-being of all students and employees. Foods that are high in calories, sugar, or fat such as candy, cakes, doughnuts, etc. are often distracting in the workplace and increase the risk for obesity and other related diseases. Therefore, VCOM encourages employees to avoid the consumption of such food and avoid placing such food in public areas. Employees are encouraged to bring food for their lunch or breaks and should keep the food at their desks or in a refrigerator. Leftover food, open containers, and dirty dishes should not be left out in offices, break rooms, or common areas. These practices are essential not only for cleanliness but also for pest control and odor prevention. Any food covering or containers should be removed and placed in the trash after eating to avoid contamination and mess within VCOM. All food and containers should be taken home each day or kept in a refrigerator; however, all food should be removed from refrigerators every Friday. Refrigerators are in several areas in the building for employee use. No one may bring a personal refrigerator, coffee pot, or other such device for personal use.

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