eNews extra: coronavirus (#35)
Read issue 35 of eNews extra: coronavirus – sent to all staff on Friday 11 December.
- Christmas closure leave entitlement
- January arrangements for students
- Have your say on digital transformation at Leeds
- Travelling overseas for personal or recreational reasons
- In case you missed it last week...
- Useful information and links...
- Keeping up to date...
New this week…
Christmas closure leave entitlement
The University Christmas closure period has been extended this year in recognition of an exceptional and challenging year. The additional closure period (Monday 21 to Wednesday 23 December) will be on top of your usual annual leave entitlement and will be treated the same as other closed days.
If you are part time or work in shifts this will be applied pro rata and you will see any adjustment to your annual leave quota appear on your HR Self Service record in January.
January arrangements for students
This week, Roger Gair, University Secretary wrote to all staff about how we’re implementing the Government’s guidance on the staggered return of students for the spring term.
Have your say on digital transformation at Leeds
Professor Neil Morris, Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Digital Transformation, was joined by a panel of senior leaders on Tuesday 8 December to explore the meaning of digital transformation and how it impacts every part of our community. A recording of the session is now available for those who were unable to attend.
Looking ahead, we would now like to invite you to feedback on the proposed strategic objectives – let us know if you agree (or disagree) by voting and adding your comments.
Travelling overseas for personal or recreational reasons
If you are planning to travel outside the UK for personal or recreational reasons over the holiday, please remember there is a possibility that your travel insurance may be invalidated, UK quarantine rules may be introduced before or while you are away, local lockdown measures may be introduced in the place that you are visiting, and/or you or a member of your party may become ill while overseas.
If you are travelling please be aware of these risks and the implications from a work perspective and refer to the full message ‘Travel overseas for personal or recreational reasons’ emailed to all staff on 30 July.
In case you missed it last week…
Additional asymptomatic testing dates in December
Our asymptomatic (lateral flow) testing facility was established at the request of the Government to enable students to travel with greater confidence during the Government’s student travel window (3 – 9 December). We were asked to operate the testing facility between 30 November and 9 December.
The tests indicate (albeit not with complete reliability) whether students who do not currently have covid-19 symptoms are carrying the virus. The idea is that, if they test positive, they can self-isolate before travelling over the winter break and protect others.
There is demand from some postgraduate researchers and students on placements (who have not been able to travel during the travel window) for the testing facility to be extended beyond 9 December.
Our Care Quality Commission licence allows us to extend the testing period until Monday 14 December, so tests are now available for all students until that date. However, due to the conditions of the licence, staff availability and capacity, we are unable to extend this provision to staff members.
We are working with Leeds City Council and local government to understand how more permanent lateral flow testing might be rolled out in the new year. We will share this information once we know more. An email to students making them aware of the extended testing period was issued on Monday 7 December.
Useful information and links…
If you receive a positive covid-19 test result, please self-isolate, advise your line manager as soon as possible, and report your result to the University.
Read our full guidance on how to report and what to do if you experience covid-19 symptoms, test positive or need to self-isolate. Absence not related to coronavirus should be reported in the normal way.
Key advice and info:
- Coronavirus website – staff advice
- Working on campus
- Commuting and travel to campus
- Report queries, concerns or suggestions related to covid-19 control on campus (e.g. activities where queues form, or issues about buildings or cleaning etc.) via email to the Estates Helpdesk or call 0113 343 5555. Email Wellbeing, Safety & Health for issues relating to safety on campus.
- How to protect your devices and information at home
- How to access HR Self-Service and your M: and N: drives from home
- The health and safety of our students and staff is our absolute priority. To support this and to ensure transparency, we are publishing a weekly update on the numbers of positive covid-19 test results
Teaching and research
- The Digital Practice website has support, development opportunities and resources for online teaching, working and study.
- For digital student education or assessment system problems, follow this guidance on resolving issues and alternative solutions
- Follow the Collaborate Ultra guidance to ensure your online teaching sessions are secure.
- Access support for online teaching, learning and pedagogy through the Digital Education Service helpdesk.
- Access coronavirus UK research funding resources, including funder guidance, links to covid-19 specific funding opportunities and a list of frequently asked questions on awards.
Keeping up to date...
Keep checking our coronavirus website for the latest information and advice as we get it. We’ll also alert you to key changes each week via eNews extra.
No need to trawl your inbox!
You can find our previous staff email communications and student and postgraduate email communications on the coronavirus website.
Posted in: All Staff EmailUniversity news