HR COVID-19 Updates

The information contained on the COVID Response Guideline for Staff page intends to clarify what you should do / advise others to do in any Covid-19 related scenario from feeling symptomatic, testing positive or being advised to self-isolate or restrict your movements.  

Commencing in July, staff will gradually be returning to work on campus in line with the advice and guidelines issued through the COO. The University has extensive plans in place that range from enhanced cleaning and disinfection protocols, provision of PPE for staff (face coverings, alcohol hand gel stations, face visors if required etc), the training of over 200 COVID-19 co-ordinators and modifications to building ventilation systems to ensure no recirculating air is used in any University facility to ensure that campuses will be safe environments for staff and students and will be following the latest Government / National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) advice at all times.

It is widely recognised that certain people are at higher risk to COVID-19 than others. The HSE has classified higher risk into two categories, full details of which can be viewed at High Risk and Very High Risk Categories.

Very High Risk

If you are in the Very High Risk category, you should follow the general Public Health Advice and read the current Government Health Restrictions on gov.ie.

As per HSE Guidelines most people in this category will be fully protected against the virus once they are vaccinated.   HSE Advice suggested that you may not get the same level of protection from the vaccine as other people if you:

• Are immunocompromised due to disease or treatment
• Have cancer
   
• Have chronic kidney disease

​​​​​​​If you have not been offered a vaccine you should talk to your GP or hospital care team. They will help you to get a vaccine as soon as possible.   

Employees who fall into the Very High Risk categories who are concerned about returning to campus should contact their Line Manager and HR (Susan.Healy@dcu.ie) in the first instance. They should provide certification from their GP and/or treating consultant. The University will also seek advice from the University Medical Advisors, Medmark to ensure the appropriate steps are taken in the interest of the health, safety and wellbeing of the employee in advance of returning to work.

High Risk

In line with HSE advice, this category of employee should take extra care by social distancing, washing hands regularly and wearing masks in line with HSE Guidelines, Protect Yourself from Coronavirus.

Employees in this category who are not ill, should attend the workplace, unless advised otherwise by the University's Occupational Health Advisors. 

Please note that occupational advice may be sought for any Covid-19 concerns raised by employees or their Line Manager. 

Further information about COVID-19 and occupational health is available on the website of the COO.

(Updated July 2021)

Staff FAQ's

Staff may be eligible to special leave with pay in lieu of sick leave with pay for Covid-19 related cases eg. where an employee is advised to self-isolate and is displaying symptoms or has tested positive for  COVID-19.  Medical or HSE advice will be required and should be followed. 

If an employee feels well, but is self-isolating or restricting their movements in line with medical / HSE advice as they have tested positive for Covid-19 or are symptomatic, they may continue to work from home instead of availing of special leave with pay, subject to this being agreed with their Line Manager and/or HR.  They should not attend the campus and must follow the medical and HSE advice.    

If you are a close contact and you have received a Covid-19 vaccine
You do not need to restrict your movements or be tested for COVID-19 if it is more than:

• 7 days after your 2nd Pfizer-BioNTech dose
• 14 days after your 2nd Moderna dose
• 14 days after your Janssen vaccine
• 15 days after your 2nd AstraZeneca dose

But you may not get the same level of protection from the vaccine as other people if you:

• Are immunocompromised due to disease or treatment
• Have cancer
• Have chronic kidney disease

Visit the HSE website for guidelines regarding close contacts.

Further details of Special leave with pay are available here

Remote Working 

A remote working policy was in operation while there was a requirement for staff to work full time from home. As we are now moving to returning to work on campus on a phased basis, initially and then full time, this policy is currently under review.

Health and Safety

During this period of COVID-19, the DCU Health & Safety Office has put together some Health and Safety Tips for working from home.   Staff are also reminded and encouraged to consult local departmental Safety Statements.

Linkedin Learning Courses

1. Working Remotely - Coach Mike Gutman reveals how you can create a productive work environment at home. 
2. Successful Remote Meetings, provides tips on how to make the most out of online meetings.
3. Leading from a Distance - For managers and leaders making the jump from in-person to virtual leadership can be challenging. In this course, instructor Kevin Eikenberry lays out how to lead effectively from a distance.
    

Zoom Video Conferencing
The Teaching Enhancement Unit is providing a wide range of supports to staff in the use of Zoom. Find out how to set up a Zoom account and meeting functionality. A full range of supports are available on the Loop Staff Support page.
 

Don’t forget that the Employee Assistance Programme is available for all staff. It is a confidential service which is designed to support employees and their immediate family members (18+) to resolve personal or work related concerns.

You can contact the EAP through the 24/7 freephone number 1800 814 243 or by text, or WhatsApp, by sending "Hi" to 087 369 0010. 

You can also access their Wellbeing Portal which provides instant access to a range of online information, supports and intervention tools.

Further information on how to access the Wellbeing Portal and other supports available can be found on the EAP Webpage.

• More detailed information regarding the Coronavirus is now live on the DCU website.
• Information from the Data Protection Office regarding working from home
• Essential IT Information from ISS for Staff Working from Home
• LinkedIn Learning - Don't forget the wealth of courses also available to all staff via LinkedIn Learning. If you need help accessing the platform or need a reminder of your activation code please contact us on learning.development@dcu.ie
• DCU Sport - You can find daily home workouts, healthy tips and much more at all DCU Sports social pages. Check them out on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
• DCU Healthy
• HSE Website
• Department of Health

Helpful tip sheet from our Employee Assistance Programme - Spectrum Life - on how to navigate the return to a physical environment. 

Recruitment and Selection

Due to the current campus closure, HR staff are working remotely and are endeavouring to maintain support in the area of recruitment and selection as close to normal levels as possible.

The advertising of both internal and external roles will continue as normal. The applications for such roles will be processed and assessed as normal. Applicants should continue to apply for roles in line with the advertised closing date and time.

Where appropriate, interviews will be conducted remotely on the basis of a preliminary or final assessment. To ensure our process is planned, organised and conducted in a way that supports an objective and transparent assessment of every candidate which results in the selection of the best candidate based on their merits and abilities, please follow the Recruitment and Selection During COVID-19 Guidelines.

For all recruitment and selection queries, please contact your HR Business Partner.

Staff Request Application 

The Staff Request Application (SRA) remains operational and should be used for all staff requests for fixed term contracts. If you require a new user to be set up or if you require any changes to approvers in your area please contact Joe Maxwell or Yvonne Kennedy.

Core Portal

Core Portal is available as normal to staff. The following can be accessed or submitted using CorePortal

• Payslips
• Annual Leave Requests
• Training & Learning Course Requests.

Flexi-time

The accrual of Flexi leave is suspended during the COVID-19 emergency.

Flexitime balances will be restored to the values as at 16th March when the normal working arrangements resume (please note - missed clockings between 11- 13th March may be requested through Coreportal and they will be approved in the usual manner by the line manager.

Staff working from home are expected to carry out their duties as agreed with their line managers. Staff members who are without childcare arrangements may need to adjust their normal working hours and work outside of core hours. In such cases, the staff member should liaise directly with their respective line manager.

The HR Learning & Development Unit will operate a blended approach to the delivery of training.   In-person delivery will be essential for courses and programmes that require participants to work collaboratively, network, build particular skills e.g. Leadership courses or orientation.

Other courses and programmes will continue to be held on-line with a view to maintaining the high levels of participation and equality of access from all 3 campuses that was achieved during the last 18 months. 

This is in line with Organisational Development best practice. 

Don't forget the wealth of courses also available to all colleagues on LinkedIn Learning. If you need help accessing the platform or need a reminder of your activation code please contact us on learning.development@dcu.ie