Latest information and guidance for staff
By: Sean Armstrong
Last updated: Friday, 7 May 2021
Staff returning to campus
As more staff begin to return to campus - even if only for one or two days a week - it’s important to familiarise yourself with the return to campus guidance, and specific guidelines for working in offices, labs, and teaching spaces on our health and safety pages.
Please remember that currently the Government advice is to work from home where possible, so do get the approval of your line manager before coming back to work on campus as this helps the University understand the number of people on campus.
The University continues to follow guidance from Government and the four-step approach in line with the Government’s easing of restrictions.
We are waiting to hear more about what will happen from 17 May with regards to students and if they are allowed to return to university campuses, although the vast majority of teaching will have finished by then.
As previously communicated, if the Government’s route out of lockdown continues as planned, we are expecting a fuller return to campus from July.
We will share more information on this in due course.
What’s open on campus
A reminder that shops and eating places on campus are operating under restricted open times. Check opening hours for the Co-op store in Bramber House and our catering venue opening times.
Visit the Sussexsport pages for the latest information about facilities, what they are offering online and how to contact the team.
Testing on campus
If you are returning to campus it’s important to book in for regular Covid-19 tests - all staff who need to work on campus can be tested up to twice a week. You can make a booking for a test on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, at any time from 10am to 3pm.
Our University Covid-19 test centre has recently moved to level 1 of Bramber House, in Dine Central. View photo gallery of the new test centre. It will operate there until the end of June, testing for staff and students without symptoms.
Anyone with a new cough, a high temperature or changes in their sense of smell or taste should instead self-isolate and arrange for a home test kit to be delivered. More information about testing on campus.
Security on campus
The University works hard to make sure that the campus is a safe place to work. Security staff patrol the campus 24 hours a day, 365 days a week – and security staff at the York House reception can be reached any time on 01273 67 8234. More information about security services on campus is provided on the Semester Two pages.
Mental Health Awareness Week: 10 - 16 May
Next week is Mental Health Awareness Week (Monday 10 - Sunday 16 May), and the theme is 'nature'.
The University is showcasing a range of meeting places and self-care resources to help all of us to look after ourselves and look out for others. Even though many of us won’t be on campus, there are links below to virtual or actual events outdoors along with a host of opportunities to take care of and restore ourselves. Many of these opportunities are also available throughout the year. To recognise the importance of nature in maintaining our wellbeing – we’re also inviting staff to share their experiences of how nature has helped them cope with the challenges. You can upload a text, a photo, some birdsong, a video etc.
If you have any worries about your mental, physical or financial health please visit the University’s wellbeing hub. It contains a host of links, guidance, apps, videos and workshops that may be useful for you at this time. 24/7 counselling support is also available through Care First.
Throughout May, Care First are hosting a series of webinars on a range of mental health topics which you can register for.
Annual leave
We want to remind staff to book annual leave and to ensure they get a break and don’t lose holiday. Many staff will have carried over additional holiday from last year’s entitlement. We will be allowing staff to carry over 10 days’ additional leave again, into the next year, as we don’t want people to be disadvantaged. We encourage all staff to make full use of the leave entitlement.