Latest news updates from the Personnel Team
UK universities are updated by Public Health England (PHE) regarding Coronavirus on a daily basis.
This Government body currently advises that the ‘risk to individuals remains low’.
PHE add: “Based on the scientific advice of SAGE the UK Chief Medical Officers are advising anyone who has travelled to the UK from mainland China, Thailand, Japan, Republic of Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia or Macau in the last 14 days and is experiencing cough or fever or shortness of breath, to stay indoors and call NHS 111, even if symptoms are mild.”
PHE are issuing daily updates on Coronavirus, which includes travel guidance as well as pieces of practical advice. This update can be found here.
Below is a joint statement from Universities UK International, Universities UK and the UK Council for International Student Affairs on the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on Chinese staff and students at UK universities.
The health, welfare and safety of students and staff is the top priority for university leaders following the Coronavirus outbreak. UK universities have been supporting all students and staff who might be concerned about their health with up-to-date advice from health services. Our universities have a strong history of welcoming Chinese students and staff to the UK and they are very much part of our international community. UK universities will not tolerate racism in any form, and we encourage students and staff to report any incident of racial harassment and seek support from their university.
We understand that students and staff may be worried about friends and family members in China and our thoughts go to all those affected by this situation. At this difficult time, we ask that students and staff support their fellow friends and colleagues in solidarity with the whole of the international higher education community.
This information is available for students on moodle and the SDW Well-being pages.
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 can be found here.