Last updated 27th March 2020
For the latest advice and guidance on the coronavirus situation please visit the university coronavirus web page.
Please go to https://www.gmpf.org.uk/cost/
Please go to https://www.teacherspensions.co.uk/news/employers/2020/02/contribution-changes.aspx for information
(Updated 10th March 2020)
Following information issued on 12 February 2020 to all staff and students, please see updates below, however please also be aware that the picture is changing day by day. Public Health England (PHE) are issuing updated advice on a regular basis. Local information from Liverpool City Council can be found here.
The symptoms of the coronavirus (now known as COVID-19) include fever and respiratory symptoms including coughing, sneezing, and shortness of breath. The NHS website has more information about how coronavirus is spread and answers common questions about the virus.
To maintain good hand, respiratory and personal hygiene, follow the NHS guidance below:
Public Health England have issued details of the specified countries and areas that have implications for returning travellers or visitors arriving in the UK. It includes information on the actions that these individuals should follow on returning to the UK and if they develop symptoms.
If you have recently returned from travelling abroad, please see the advice issued by
Department of Health and Social Care and Public Health England.
Please note that the ‘specified country’ list may grow to include other countries.
If you have recently returned from a ‘specified country’, please follow the advice from Public Health England. If this involves absence from work due to self-isolation or quarantine, please contact your line manager immediately.
If you are aware of any visitors to the University from a ‘specified country’, please refer them to the above advice and inform your line manager or the Head of Legal Services, Governance and Risk immediately.
The University will not expect staff to travel to a ‘specified country’ (both category 1 and category 2) for work purposes until further notice. These countries currently are:
Please note that the ‘specified country’ list may grow to include other countries.
If you have a work-related trip arranged to any of these countries, please refer to your line manager immediately. If you are travelling abroad for work purposes to a country other than a ‘specified country’, for example on an Erasmus trip, please monitor the news with regards to host countries. If you are travelling for Erasmus, contact Shauna Anton at antons@hope.ac.uk for advice if necessary. Otherwise contact your line manager.
If you are planning to travel to a ‘specified country’ country for a holiday or for personal reasons, please see the government advice regarding overseas travel. Should you need to cancel or amend annual leave due to government advice, please update your manager as soon as you can or seek advice from the Personnel Office.
If you believe that you need to be absent due to coronavirus/suspected coronavirus, you should contact your line manager immediately. Where you are unfit to work due to coronavirus/suspected coronavirus, the University’s Sickness Absence and Monitoring Policy will operate as normal.
Where a school takes the decision to close/send your child home and you need to care for young children, despite them not displaying any symptoms of the virus, please contact your line manager. In such cases the Time Off for Dependents Policy and Procedure will apply. If a longer period is required and alternative childcare is not possible - please contact your line manager or the Personnel Office for advice.
If you have concerns about catching coronavirus due to a weakened immune system or have a long-term condition like diabetes, cancer, hypertension, heart disorder, diabetes, liver disorder, and chronic lung disease, you should seek advice from your GP/healthcare professional or 111.
If you are a new or expectant mother- please seek advice from your GP/healthcare professional or 111, and contact the Personnel Office if you have any concerns.
Most people in the UK whose immigration status is affected by the coronavirus outbreak will get an automatic extension of their visa until 31 March 2020. Please refer to the Home Office's coronavirus immigration guidance here.
How do I participate?
All staff are free to participate, as long as there is no disruption to our students, other colleagues, the general public, or the service your team provides. You may join the event for half-an-hour between 1.30–2pm on 20 September as a symbolic stoppage in support of the global climate strike subject to agreement of your line manager
Do I have to participate?
No. It is a personal choice whether to participate in the climate stoppage. But if you choose to do so, then the university subject to advance approval from your manager is happy to support you.
What if I want to participate for longer than half-an-hour?
The University is supporting staff to participate in a 30 minute event only.
Could I take time on a different day?
No. The event is planned for 20 September. A significant purpose of the event is to show global solidarity by all participating on the same day. If you want to take part, it must be on that day.
Do I need to let my line manager know?
Yes. You and colleagues may need to discuss and agree with your line manager how the service you provide will continue during that half hour. The purpose of the event is to show solidarity, not to disrupt the work of the University. Please plan your work accordingly.
What the University doing to address this?
Please see our Sustainability page for information relating to what the university is doing including the I Love My Campus Challenge.
The 2019-20 national pay negotiations for staff have now been concluded and the University will be implementing the final offer (as below) with effect from 1 August 2019 in September 2019 payroll (with arrears paid in September). We are aware that the trade unions who participate in the national pay negotiations have rejected the offer. In the interests of ensuring colleagues receive the pay offer as quickly as possible, we are following guidance issued by the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA), to implement the pay uplift as soon as possible, with effect from 1 August 2019. The relevant national trade unions have already been informed of the application of the final pay offer. For staff on pay point 17 and upward a 1.8% award has been made. The University has also deleted point 2 (Grade1) on the pay spine with immediate effect
The uplifted salary scales and the uplifts higher than 1.8% for staff on pay points up to point 16 .