In Virus Era, Some CUs Provide Free COVID-19 Antibody Tests

The Credit Union of Texas last week partnered with Kai Medical Laboratories in Dallas to offer free COVID-19 antibody testing for employees.

The 421-employee credit union ($1.48 billion in assets, 142,034 members) offered the testing at its headquarters in Allen, Texas. The credit union said in a press statement that all results of the testing would remain confidential.

“Credit Union of Texas is dedicated to keeping our staff as well as our members safe during this unprecedented time. As cases not only in Texas but also across the United States continue to rise, we want to ensure we can help our employees remain healthy,” Eric Pointer, CEO of Credit Union of Texas, said. “CUTX will do whatever it takes to ensure we have a safe environment for employees and members.”

Texas has reported more than 392,000 positive cases of COVID-19, and the state has recorded more than 5,000 deaths. Allen, Texas, is about a 30-minute drive north of downtown Dallas. Dallas County has seen the second-highest number of coronavirus infections in the state.

The CDC has said a positive antibody test presumes a person has been infected with the novel coronavirus at some point.

According to SHRM, many companies are considering offering antibody tests to employees. CDC guidance states employers should not use antibody test results to determine whether someone can return to work. Employers can’t require antibody tests as a condition of returning to a workplace, the EEOC said in recent guidance.

Jennifer Olvera, vice president of engagement at Credit Union of Texas, said the credit union’s transition to remote work in the virus era was easy to execute.

“Our CEO, Eric Pointer, ensures that we have the top computer systems to allow us to have easy remote access to all of our systems,” Olvera told CU Times. “Our IT department is incredible; they were able to source laptops for those that didn’t currently have them very quickly and deployed them out to our entire organization within a few days.”

To keep up with ever-changing state and federal guidance, Olvera said Credit Union of Texas has “daily calls with our senior leadership team who review CDC recommendations and WHO updates and recommendations.” She added: “This allows us to monitor our business, ensure safe practices and allows us to strategically protect our members and our employees.”

In April, the $6 billion Idaho Central Credit Union said it was participating in a partnership called “Crush the Curve Idaho” in which businesses teamed up to minimize the spread of the virus. ICCU set up an antibody testing site at its headquarters in Pocatello, Idaho. More than 2,400 people were tested there in about 13 days.

“There is no better way to get employees back to work safely than to have access to testing,” ICCU president and CEO Kent Oram said in a post at Northwest Credit Union Association. “Crush the Curve Idaho is great to work with and they can help businesses find solutions to their testing needs.”