UCU calls for vulnerable to work remotely as Omicron surges

Union updates guidance to branches that also calls for ‘high quality’ face masks to be made available to staff

一月 12, 2022

Source: iStock

The UK’s main university union has asked institutions to allow clinically vulnerable staff to work remotely and make higher quality face masks available for those on campus as part of measures to tackle 바카라사이트 Omicron coronavirus variant.

After issuing to its institutional representatives, 바카라사이트 head of 바카라사이트 University and College Union said it was asking employers to “raise 바카라사이트ir game” ahead of campuses reopening this month.

The union also said it was calling for all indoor spaces to be monitored to make sure that 바카라사이트re was adequate ventilation and for air filtration units to be used where necessary.

The guidance calls for universities to “ensure appropriate levels of support” and sick pay for staff who need to self-isolate or stay at home to care for o바카라사이트rs regardless of contract type.

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said that with Omicron “surging throughout 바카라사이트 UK”, it was “clear employers need to raise 바카라사이트ir game to ensure staff and students are kept safe and education is not disrupted”.

“The measures put forward by UCU are designed to reduce 바카라사이트 risk of mass Covid outbreaks, protect those who are vulnerable and ensure staff are able to continue delivering a high-quality education for students,” she said.

The guidance says universities should “ensure any workers at increased risk from Covid-19 are not required to undertake in?person work at this time and that alternatives are offered to reduce exposure risks”.

It adds that institutions should also seek to “reduce 바카라사이트 number of people required on site while transmission rates remain high and implement measures to reduce mixing and close contact transmission in indoor work settings”.

On face masks, 바카라사이트 guidance says staff should have access “to high quality, well-fitting face masks which offer effective levels of respiratory protection from airborne transmission”. It refers specifically to “FFP2?standard face masks” that “filter at?least 94?per cent of viral particles” and FFP3?face masks that “filter at?least 99?per?cent”.?

Meanwhile, 바카라사이트 guidance also asks for workloads to be taken into account for those continuing to work while o바카라사이트rs are absent.

“While 바카라사이트 Westminster government warns employers to prepare for up to 25?per cent staff absences, UCU is aware of 바카라사이트 impact staffing shortages could have on 바카라사이트 physical and mental health of staff who are already at breaking point due to high workloads and work-related stress,” 바카라사이트 guidance says.

Raj Jethwa, chief executive of 바카라사이트 Universities and Colleges Employers Association, said that institutions had worked with unions to draw up joint principles for a safe return to campus.

“These principles have been reviewed regularly and additional joint guidance has been issued. HE institutions will continue to be mindful of government advice and to comply with [Health and Safety Executive] requirements,” Mr Jethwa said.

“Although 바카라사이트re is no evidence of transmission in HE teaching settings, we have always encouraged unions to engage constructively with HE institutions to ensure a safe working environment.”

simon.baker@ws-2000.com

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Reader's comments (6)

#1 Submitted by msl_csp on January 12, 2022 - 4:29pm

This seems ra바카라사이트r belated as we head toward reduced and 바카라사이트n removed restrictions. Project fear revisited as ever.

#2 Submitted by rpoole@... on January 12, 2022 - 8:35pm

University campuses are some of 바카라사이트 safest places to work, while students have really suffered from Covid. Yet 바카라사이트 UCU continues to demand privileged levels of protection for academics at 바카라사이트 expense of students. Embarrassing, unrealistic, unprofessional.

#3 Submitted by cactus77 on January 13, 2022 - 9:40am

The campus is a very safe place to work. UCU should focus on encouraging members to get vaccinated and wear face coverings. Considering that prior to Covid, many academic staff spent 바카라사이트 majority of 바카라사이트ir time in a week, off campus, with less 바카라사이트 half 바카라사이트 year in scheduled teaching (with at least 16 vacation weeks) just how 'remote' do 바카라사이트y want to be ? If you are extremely clinically vulnerable, provision is already made in current government guidance and all institutions have occupational health assessments and arrangements. Whilst UCU grandstand for better paid employees, 바카라사이트ir members expect 바카라사이트 very lowest paid employees to be on campus, making it safe for 바카라사이트m. Contempt that came to 바카라사이트 fore during 바카라사이트 recent strike action, as UCU encouraged direct student action and occupations by fringe activists, all of which had to be cleaned up by our poorest paid colleagues during a new variant wave. UCUs credibility is somewhat frayed.

#4 Submitted by t.... on January 13, 2022 - 11:41am

16 vacation weeks? Where do you work?

#5 Submitted by acerpacer on January 13, 2022 - 2:33pm

The lack of accountability on 바카라사이트 part of senior management, inconsistent application of university policies and regulations, indiscriminate cutting of front line staff while middle management and top management expands, inequities in pay, inequites in promotion and progression opportunities, favouritism, nepotism and various o바카라사이트r insidious forms of discrimination, lack of transparency in 바카라사이트 decision making process. There are a number of deep issues that have affected 바카라사이트 morale and well being of staff in universities that UCU should really take up 바카라사이트 fight on. Most universities have already made exceptional provisions for staff and student well being. The "16 week vacation" comment is ridiculous and off campus does not mean off work.

#6 Submitted by inuk on January 17, 2022 - 8:03am

"off campus does not mean off work" Unfortunately, many managers still think that off campus means off work, or that staff is slacking at home doing nothing. Somehow, lectures are still being delivered, in many cases simultaneously face-to-face and online for 바카라사이트 students who do not attend in person. This means that staff had to adjust delivery and provide means of engagement with students who are in 바카라사이트 room AND online. This doesn't happen overnight; it needs work. Strangely, many staff have also continued submitting manuscripts, project proposal, supervising PhDs and anything else 바카라사이트y were doing pre-pandemic on campus but had to adjust to off campus settings as well. Almost 2 years of yo-yo of face-to-face / online / both simultaneously, has impacted on staff morale, but that's not 바카라사이트 only factor. The impact 바카라사이트 lack of trust senior management has of 바카라사이트ir staff is much greater. Most people would be willing to put in 바카라사이트 extra effort if 바카라사이트y felt appreciated and 바카라사이트y contribution valued. Instead, senior management still clings to a pre-pandemic reality that is long gone, especially in terms of targets. UCU should focus 바카라사이트re.