Guidance for managing illness
With winter fast approaching, it’s important to look after yourself.
We’ve pulled together some advice around looking after yourself this winter, with hints and tips on how you can stay well.
What to do if you are unwell
We want to support you to take the time you need to rest, recover and get better, and keep everyone as safe and well as possible.
- If you are not well enough to work, you should remain at home and report your sickness in the usual way.
- If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or any other infectious disease and are well enough to work, you should not come onto campus until you have spoken to your line manager. Your line manager will discuss the cause of you feeling unwell, and your symptoms, to agree whether you should be working at all, and what adjustments might be made for you, including potentially working from home.
- For advice on what to do if you have COVID-19 symptoms or have tested positive, please follow the latest NHS guidance. Please be aware that there is now no obligation to test for COVID-19, however if you do test, then the NHS guidance will apply. Please note you will not be required to have a negative test result in order to mix with others again after having the virus.
Making up for lost teaching
In line with our teaching principles, if you are well enough to work, your line manager will discuss whether any face-to-face teaching activities can be moved temporarily online. This would be agreed on a case-by-case basis and would be for the duration of the illness only.
If you are not well enough to work at home or on campus, face-to-face teaching should be rescheduled as face-to-face once you are well enough to work again. If for any reason this presents difficulties, please contact your line manager.
Winter flu vaccines
We are encouraging colleagues to be vaccinated against winter flu. If you aren’t eligible for a vaccine via the NHS and need to pay for a vaccination, the cost can be reclaimed via expenses.
Advice for students
Students are advised to follow the latest NHS guidance and report their illness to the University. If students are too unwell to attend face-to-face teaching sessions, they are encouraged to stay at home and make up for lost teaching in other ways, as advised by their school.