UNIVERSITY-WIDE DECISION. On Friday August 26, the vice-chancellor announced a policy decision for how the University will conduct its operations during the ongoing pandemic. To live up to the applicable recommendations, the University will largely continue with working from home and remote studies during the autumn semester.
“We are still unsure of when we can allow a return to a normal working situation. We must continue to persevere and do what is required to help reduce the spread of the virus. The decision we have now taken does not differ significantly from the previous policy decision from June, but it provides a somewhat longer horizon and helps the faculties and institutes in their planning,” says Dean Agneta Holmäng.
The University’s recommendations are based on the recommendations of responsible public authorities and decisions made by the government and Riksdag. The vice-chancellor notes in her decision that university organizations need to have preparations in place to react quickly if circumstances change. She is expecting to update the policy about the 2021 spring semester no later than November.
Working from home is the main rule for staff throughout the autumn semester, but circumstances vary greatly for Sahlgrenska Academy. Agneta Holmäng emphasizes that, within our various fields, there may be essential teaching modules that require physical presence: “Working from home for long periods can be difficult, and the new policy decision also emphasizes the importance of a good working environment. Immediate superiors have now been given clearer mandates to make more individual assessments in terms of working from home for individual staff members.”
Staff on campus during the autumn are to follow the Public Health Agency’s recommendations.
“Everyone has a personal responsibility to help reduce the spread of infection. This can mean such things as maintaining social distancing and ensuring overcrowding does not occur in common areas, such as coffee rooms,” says Vice-Chancellor Eva Wiberg.
Read more about the vice-chancellor’s policy decision on the Staff Portal: https://medarbetarportalen.gu.se/aktuellt/nyheter-detalj//distanslage-och-tillfalligt-hemarbete-fortsatter.cid1694279
TEXT: ELIN LINDSTRÖM
