Staff support
Information and support for staff during the coronavirus pandemic.
As Test and Protect measures are now in place, if you have symptoms of coronavirus you must:
- self-isolate straight away
- contact NHS Inform or call 0800 028 2816 to arrange a PCR test
- tell your line manager or Nominated person
- report your situation to the University
View guidance on reporting sickness absence due to coronavirus
The University encourages all staff to undertake regular LFD testing for coronavirus. In line with Scottish Government recommendations, testing should be undertaken before any mixing with people who are not part of your household. This includes social and workplace mixing. The University expects all staff to undertake LFD testing before accessing campus.
Kits are available at multiple sites across our campuses (see below) and are also available via mail order. Staff are reminded that LFD tests are for asymptomatic testing only. Anyone with symptoms should self isolate and book a PCR test, then report their symptoms to the University.
Covid-19 rapid lateral flow tests be obtained from the following locations
- Dalhousie Building
- Global Room
- Enquiry Centre
- Chaplaincy
- DUSA
- Ninewells Campus (Student Hub)
- Kirkcaldy Campus (Student Hub)
Vaccination
The University strongly encourages all staff to get fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including having a booster vaccination when offered. Full details of the Scottish vaccination programme, including the vaccination booking forms, is on the NHS Inform website.
If you have newly arrived in Scotland and have not had your full coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccination or booster, you can register for a coronavirus vaccination through the online self-registration portal.
If you have symptoms of respiratory illness that are not those specifically linked to Covid-19
If you have symptoms of respiratory illness that are not those specifically linked to Covid-19, you do not have to get a test or isolate. However, you should consider other members of our community since your symptoms may be caused by an infectious agent that you could pass to others. There are also heightened anxieties for many people who may be nervous at being close to someone showing cold or flu-type symptoms, even if they are not linked to Covid.
We ask you to:
- Take a LFD test to help rule out Covid-19.
- Catch coughs and sneezes in a tissue and bin it.
- Be mindful of the sensitivities and vulnerabilities of others to whom you might pass an infection.
- Be aware that you may be challenged on campus regarding respiratory illness symptoms.
- Work/study remotely if you have a serious cough or cold, even if you believe it does not meet the criteria for Covid-19. Those with a mild non-Covid respiratory illness can attend study/work if able.
- Seek medical advice if you are unsure or if your symptoms become severe.
Accessing campus
Reporting non-compliance with Covid-19 rules
Physical distancing – working and studying on campus
Learning and teaching facilities
Staff social and eating spaces
Absences
Post Covid Syndrome (Long Covid)
Reporting sickness absence due to coronavirus or other illnesses when working from home
Annual leave
Annual leave and using holidays when working from home
Annual leave and pay if you are self-isolating or shielding
Dignity at work
See the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion page for staff support materials including information on bullying and protected characteristics.
Health and wellbeing
Caring for children or dependents when working from home
Working on campus if you or a family member have an underlying health condition
OPD are still offering a professional development programme running as webinars so do please check the online booking system for upcoming opportunities. There is also some helpful guidance for staff to working productively and for managers who are now managing remote teams.
Home working
Health and safety guidance when home/remote working
Tax relief for staff when working from home
Immigration
Visa information for staff during the coronavirus pandemic
IT
Maximise your online experience when remote working
Using the VPN for working from home
Introduction to Microsoft Teams
Create an online meeting in Microsoft Teams
Create the best quality video content at home
Get Microsoft 365 for free on your own devices
Upload your files onto OneDrive
Data protection for remote working
Rest Days
Rest Days are to alleviate some of the pressure for those staff who are physically at work (whether working from home or on campus); they are not extra annual leave and are not contractual. This means that staff on furlough, staff on sick leave or staff on parental leave when the Rest Days fall do not get these.
If for operational or part-time work pattern reasons it is not possible to take the day as a Rest Day, then you should take them as agreed by your line manager, on another date as soon as possible thereafter. Part-time staff at work should take the Rest Day on a pro rata basis.
Working hours and contracts
Staff have the option of temporarily reducing working hours as a result of coronavirus. You should agree the changes in advance with your line manager, including the duration.