Today, 8 July, we wrote to all staff with an update about returning to campus. You can read the email below:
Following the Government’s announcements this week about the expected easing of restrictions from 19 July, the University’s plans for welcoming staff back to campus remain on track and as outlined earlier in the Spring.
We are still working towards a full return to campus for the start of the academic year and are hopeful that in-person teaching will resume.
Staff can come back to campus now by letting their line manager know, however we are expecting a more gradual return from August before a fuller return from the beginning of the new academic year.
By taking this phased approach, staff who have been following Government guidance to work from home, can start to return to campus and work alongside colleagues in familiar surroundings.
As we all start to consider our next steps, as the Governments restrictions change, it’s important to talk with your line manager about any questions you have.
We will continue to be guided by the latest Government guidance at all times and review our health and safety measures accordingly. We will continue to share information with staff on our return to campus webpages and through the weekly This is Sussex staff bulletin.
Our return to campus webpages provide vaccination guidance for staff, and HR tools to prepare individuals and managers for working on site.
Our Remote Working Framework will come into effect once the new academic year begins in September. During the pandemic many Sussex staff have carried out their roles effectively away from campus. The framework will incorporate these lessons into new ways of working, while building on the work/life balance principles of Flexible Sussex.
Events to welcome you back
As more staff start to return to campus, it's important for us all to recognise the shared experience we have all lived through during the pandemic. This is the right time to reconnect not just with each other, but also with the campus and its surroundings.
You are invited to come to one of our coffee and cake events at the ACCA café over the summer months – to give you the chance to meet up with your colleagues and take a look around campus, to see how our buildings and open spaces have changed while many of you have been working from home.
You can now book an 11am or 2pm slot between 20 July and 1 September. We’d suggest you try to arrange to attend the same event as your teammates if possible so you can reconnect face-to-face.
To support you with ideas of what to do to reconnect with campus and your teams here are some suggestions of activities and places to visit.