eNews extra: coronavirus (#36)
Read issue 36 of eNews extra: coronavirus – sent to all staff on Friday 18 December.
- Last edition of eNews extra: coronavirus
- Carer’s leave extended to March 2021
- Inside Track | Digital technology – looking to the future
- Improving connectivity for students studying in China
- Brexit – a message from the Vice-Chancellor and Leeds University Union
- Switch off when you leave
- In case you missed it last week...
- Useful information and links...
- Keeping up to date...
New this week…
Last edition of eNews extra: coronavirus
This will be our last edition of eNews extra: coronavirus. From January, our regular Wednesday eNews will move from fortnightly to weekly. The first eNews of the new year will be issued on Wednesday 13 January.
Carer’s leave extended to March 2021
In March this year, to support colleagues who are balancing caring responsibilities, we increased the standard entitlement of paid carer’s leave from 5 days to 10 days for 2020 (pro rata for part-time staff). We are now extending this provision to the end of March 2021. This 10 days includes any carer’s leave already taken within the past 12-month period.
Inside Track | Digital technology – looking to the future
In his latest Inside Track article, Professor Neil Morris, Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Digital Transformation, reflects on the challenges of this term and looks ahead to 2021
Improving connectivity for students studying in China
To overcome connectivity issues for students studying in China, we are launching China Connect in January. China Connect will boost the performance of key university systems for students who are studying remotely from China. Faculties and schools have issued guidance to programme teams about the implications of this new system for live synchronous learning and teaching activities. You can also download our teaching guidance for systems and approaches to use (downloads automatically).
Brexit – a message from the Vice-Chancellor and Leeds University Union
“…whatever your views of Brexit and whatever the outcome of the negotiations, our message today is that it does not change our core values as a global, inclusive and tolerant university.” Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simone Buitendijk, and Leeds University Union wrote to all staff and students on Thursday 17 December outlining what Brexit means for our community
Switch off when you leave
If you’re working on campus, help us reduce the University’s energy use and carbon footprint during the Christmas shutdown period (Monday 21 December to Monday 4 January) by turning off computers, photocopiers, empty fridges and other electrical equipment, where this can safely be done.
In case you missed it last 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 Employee Self-Service record in January.
January arrangements for students
Last 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.
Watch | 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 along with answers to key questions raised during the session.
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.
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.
No need to trawl your inbox!
You can find our previous staff email communications and student and postgraduate email communications on the coronavirus website.