Updated staff FAQs: key workers
23 Mar 2020
Staff FAQs will be updated regularly
This advice is correct at the time of publication of this news article.
If you have health concerns then you should refer to the NHS website as recommended by Public Health England, however to make other queries regarding the current situation you can email coronavirus-info@manchester.ac.uk.
We will be updating the staff frequently asked questions on a regular basis.
The latest question is:
Do we know if any of our staff will be designated as ‘key workers’?
The Government has published a list of what it considers to be key workers. We are now working to identify and send letters to those members of our staff who have roles and responsibilities which comply with the Government’s definition of a key worker. These colleagues may therefore be required to physically carry out their work on the University campus.
Decisions on what kind of roles these are will be based on our overall plans to ensure that our University continues to operate essential services during this period.
Having said that, the Government guidance includes, as its first principle that children should be at home: “if it is at all possible” and that parents who have been identified as key workers: “may be able to ensure their child is kept at home. And every child who can be safely cared for at home should be.”
If you are identified as a key worker but have concerns about how you’re going to balance carrying out your role with your caring responsibilities, you should speak in the first instance with your line manager to discuss what options or arrangements can be put in place to help you.
Please be assured that whatever arrangements you agree with your line manager, you will continue to be paid as normal during this period.