UCU Response to Long Covid Guidance: Support Workers and Address Causes of Covid

(August 2021)

The UCU was asked to feedback on proposed guidance for workers experiencing long Covid at Richmond. While we are pleased that HR is responding to the serious health and employment consequences of long Covid we responded that further measures are required to support staff, protect their health and safety in the workplace, and ensure equality of employment.

In line with the national UCU policy, we have called on the University to:

• specify how the guidance applies to all staff, including those on temporary and zero-hours contracts
• recognise that individuals experiencing long Covid may be considered disabled under the Equality Act, and reasonable adjustments may need to be put in place where the symptoms are substantial and ongoing.
• support faculty experiencing symptoms of long Covid through: arranging for occupational health assessment for individuals; assisting individuals to access tests and treatments (e.g. physiotherapy); putting in place support mechanisms to enable individuals to undertake specific treatments for symptoms; providing support for staff who are experiencing increased sickness absence due to long Covid, informing them that they may be able to take disability leave to rehabilitate, undertake treatment, and attend medical appointments.

In addition to the Guidance to limit the impact of long Covid on staff and the working environment, the UCU has urged the University to put in place the following measures:

• Establish a transparent Review and Appeals process for individuals who feel they have not received adequate support and accommodation due to their symptoms of long Covid
• Risks associated with long Covid need to be specifically identified within organisation-wide risk assessments
• Review of the sickness absence procedures to ensure there is no unfair treatment of staff experiencing ongoing health issues due to long Covid. This needs to address the policy whereby faculty must make up any missed classes (which in effect restricts and limits faculty’s ability to take time off for rehabilitation and medical appointments, and also increases the stress of an already-difficult situation.)
• Put in place policies that would help prevent long Covid by limiting the possibility of people becoming infected with Covid in the first place. These policies should go beyond the minimal rules and recommendations set by the government, and should include:
  1. urging all staff and students to be double vaccinated before classes start
  2. continuing compulsory policies of masking and social distancing in Fall 2021.
  3. establishing a work environment that minimises the transmission of Covid through well ventilated workspaces (i.e. classrooms and offices) and social distancing throughout the workplace, again including classrooms.
• Ensure that all staff have access to updated university resources, including Bupa, and that these programmes are current and fully operational.

The UCU will be in further consultation with the HR on the guidance, ensuring measures are continually monitored and reviewed to guarantee the health and safety of the workplace. If you have any feedback on the Guidance, please let us know!