COVID-19 AEO Associate Resources

AEO is committed to keeping our PEOPLE, our most important asset, safe and healthy, both mentally and physically. This resource page is designed to address the constantly evolving situations caused by the health pandemic and provide you with the latest guidance.

When the onset of COVID-19 changed all of our lives, AEO’s long-standing commitment to the health and well-being of our associates and customers became even more apparent. We implemented best-in-class health and safety measures across our operations based on the direct advice of medical experts and guidelines from governmental agencies such as the CDC and Health Canada.

Click here to find a testing site near you.

NOTE: The resources and information on this page are not meant to be exhaustive and associates should continue to refer to and abide by all AEO policies and procedures. If you have any further questions or concerns about AEO’s response to COVID-19, safety procedures, benefits options, or your specific situation, please contact your supervisor or HR Business Partner (“HRBP”).

Recent Updates

This page has been updated as of January 18, 2022 with updates to:

Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests
OSHA ETS Announcement

In addition, effective August 4, 2021 even if you are vaccinated, you MUST wear a mask in our stores, offices and distribution centers.

Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests

Each household in the United States can now order four at-home COVID-19 tests free of charge! To order yours, please visit www.covidtests.gov.

CDC Isolation and Quarantine Guidelines

Based on the latest CDC recommendations, below are AEO’s updated isolation and quarantine guidelines for all associates, effective immediately.

New York City COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate

Effective December 27, 2021, workers in New York City who perform in-person work must have received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and have 45 days to show proof of their second dose (for Pfizer or Moderna vaccines). Note, this requirement applies to associates who regularly work in New York City or who travel to New York City on business. More information is available from NYC Health here.

Q: What if I’m not partially vaccinated by December 27, 2021, and my job requires me to physically report to my office or store?
A: If you are unvaccinated and do not have a pending request for an exemption, you cannot physically report to any AEO location in New York City. Please contact your Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP) immediately. Your HRBP will discuss your options with you, but you may need to be placed on an unpaid leave of absence.

Q: What if I am seeking a medical or religious exemption from the vaccine mandate?
A: If you are seeking a medical or religious exemption, you must notify the Company by December 23, 2021. Any associate who has a pending request for an accommodation should not report to a physical location until they have spoken to and received authorization from Human Resources.

If you are seeking a religious exemption, please fill out the request form here.

If you are seeking a medical exemption, please fill out the request form here.

Q: I have already noted my exemption request in AEO Academy or spoken to Human Resources about my request. Do I still need to fill out the request form?
A: Yes please, additional information is required based on NYC’s guidance – thank you for your cooperation!

Q: How do I know if I qualify for a medical or religious exemption under NYC’s mandate?
A: While AEO will make all exemption determinations, below is additional guidance issued by the New York City Commissioner of Health.

Medical Exemptions
Under New York City’s mandate, there are five reasons that justify a medical exemption from the COVID-19 vaccination mandate:

Reason for Medical Exemption	Type of Exemption
You had a severe allergic reaction (for example, anaphylaxis or angioedema) after a previous dose or to a component of all three approved COVID-19 vaccines (Ingredients for Pfizer; Moderna; J&J).	Permanent
You have a known, diagnosed allergy to a component in all 3 approved COVID-19 vaccines (Ingredients for Pfizer; Moderna; J&J).	Permanent
You provide medical documentation showing that you received monoclonal antibody or a convalescent plasma treatment within the last 90 days.	Temporary
You provide medical documentation showing you recently underwent a stem cell transplant, CAR Tcell therapy, or other therapy or treatment that would temporarily interfere with the worker’s ability to respond adequately to vaccination, or mount an immune response due to treatment.	Temporary
You have Pericarditis or myocarditis.	Temporary

If your reason for a medical exemption is temporary, you will be required to be vaccinated at the end of the temporary period determined by AEO.

Religious Exemptions

You may qualify for a religious exemption for the vaccine mandate if you have a sincerely-held religious, moral, or ethical belief. In accordance with New York City Guidance, to qualify for a religious exemption, you must explain or document how your belief requires you not to be vaccinated. Depending on the nature of your religious belief, you may also be required to explain whether you have received other kinds of vaccinations, what other types of substances your religious beliefs prevents you from consuming/entering your body, and/or whether you use other medicine that were developed or tested using fetal cell derivative lines.

Q: If I am unvaccinated, can I just submit to weekly COVID-19 testing?
A: Under NYC’s mandate, weekly COVID-19 testing is only available for those with an approved exemption for medical or religious reasons.

Q: I work in New York City but I don’t live in New York City. Does this mandate still apply to me?
A: Yes, this mandate applies to anyone who works within New York City limits.

Q: Some of my cross-functional business partners will be traveling to New York from Pittsburgh and other AEO locations. Will this mandate apply to them?
A: Yes, this mandate also applies to any associate who does not regularly work in New York City but travels to New York City for business.

OSHA ETS Announcement

On November 4, 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced its Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) regarding testing and vaccination requirements for employers with more than 100 employees. Under the regulation, employers must either require (1) mandatory COVID-19 vaccination; or (2) weekly testing and wearing of face coverings. On January 13, 2022, the Supreme Court of the United States stayed the enforcement of the ETS. For up-to-date information regarding the status of this litigation, please stay tuned or visit OSHA’s website here.

It is the policy of AEO to comply with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations regarding COVID-19, including the OSHA ETS if it is upheld by the Courts. For more information about AEO’s COVID-19 policies, please click here.

Booster Info

The CDC approved “mix and match” boosters, meaning you can receive a booster of any vaccine—even if you received your first (or second) dose of a different vaccine.

Pfizer Recipients

If you received a Pfizer vaccine, you can receive a booster if:

You are 12 years or older
5 months have passed since you received your second dose

Moderna

If you received a Moderna vaccine, you can receive a booster if:

You are 18 years or older
6 months have passed since you received your second dose

J&J Recipients

If you received the J&J vaccine, you can receive a booster if:

You are 18 years or older
2 months have passed since you received your J&J vaccine

FAQs

The following documents are available to assist associates with their most frequently asked questions regarding common topics related to COVID-19.

Exposure Control Plans

Paid Time Off and Leave

Preparing For Work

All associates must self-assess and take a proactive, common-sense approach. If you develop flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath), you are instructed to contact your medical provider, are advised to quarantine or to isolate, do not report to work and contact your manager or supervisor immediately.

Guidelines for Self-Check for COVID-19: U.S. Stores and Distribution Centers, U.S. Stores and Distribution Centers (Spanish), Canada Stores and Canada Stores (French).
If you, or someone who resides in your home, is diagnosed with COVID-19 please call 1-877-322-0236 to report the diagnosis to the Global Asset Protection team.
If you believe that you have been exposed to COVID-19, please contact your supervisor and HRBP before coming to work.
CDC – How to Safely Wear and Take Off a Cloth Face Covering

Travel

Corporate associates are asked to limit all domestic travel to necessary matters only. If you have a question regarding planned or future business travel, please discuss with your manager.
All international business travel should be scheduled only as necessary and must be approved by a member of the Executive Leadership Team and Global Asset Protection. All international travel that is related to the normal course of business and does not impact business continuity is currently restricted. For the time being, we encourage all associates to utilize alternate methods of communication, such as video conferencing, instead of booking international travel.
If you have a question regarding planned or future business travel, please discuss with your manager. Additionally, if you are unsure about a planned or future meeting with an international vendor or business partner, please consult with your manager.
Any non-vaccinated associate that has traveled to and returned from domestic or International areas deemed high risk for COVID-19 (for work or personal reasons) should inform their supervisor and follow the test out procedures or self-quarantine by working remotely for 10 daysfrom the date of their return or as directed by state-specific guidelines.
For those who have started to travel for business, please note that we are continuing to comply with local requirements on both sides of your trip. If you have any specific questions about upcoming travel, please feel free to reach out to our Global Asset Protection team at aetravelsafe@ae.com.

Additional Resources

If you develop flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath), please do not go to the office and work from home until the symptoms are gone. In light of the coronavirus outbreak, Global Asset Protection presents the following resources for our associates.

World Health Organization (WHO) Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19): WHO’s pages and resources on the virus, primarily for the public and health professionals.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Infection (CDC) 2019 Novel Coronavirus: CDC’s pages and resources on the virus, primarily geared to a U.S. audience, including resources geared toward businesses, travel, health professionals, laboratories, and the public.

Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019: Guidance from the CDC designed to help prevent workplace exposures to acute respiratory illnesses, including nCoV, in non-healthcare settings. The guidance also provides planning considerations if there are more widespread, community outbreaks of COVID-19.

OSAC Travel Tips: Coronavirus: The U.S. Department of State’s Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) offers tips to stay healthy when travelling abroad.

2019 Novel Coronavirus Hazardous Information Training Sheet (HITS): Developed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Protective Service, this HITS provides information on the evolving Coronavirus and tips for workforce protection and readiness.

Johns Hopkins Center for Systems Science and Engineering Coronavirus Map and Information: Presents a heat map of worldwide infections and the latest statistics of confirmed cases, fatalities, and recoveries.

Human Resources Support

Field Associates: For any additional questions, email a member of your HR Team at FieldHRCommunication@ae.com or call +1-724-779-5200 or +1-844-230-2855 (toll free). To best support you, please be sure to provide your employee ID with your inquiry.
Corporate Associates: For any additional questions, contact your designated HRBP or email HRQuestion@ae.com.
Distribution Center Associates: For additional questions, contact a member of your local HR team.

Canada Associates

COVID19 & Temporary Layoff Resources

Health & Benefits Resources

For additional support, reach out to a member of our benefits team:

Email CanadianBenefits@ae.com or by phone at 289-562-8077
Distribution Center Associates: For any additional questions, contact a member of your local HR Team.