Information for Staff | COVID-19 (novel coronavirus)

The UNSW HR Hub has a range of information and resources for staff and managers to help address issues rising from COVID-19 including:

We have also launched the Teaching Remotely website to assist UNSW teaching staff with resources and guides to support them in teaching remotely. While there are many ways that classes can be continued online, this site provides you with a guide on using some of the centrally supported tools and services.

Information for Parents and Carers

The following resources have been designed for parents, guardians and carers who are juggling working from home and looking after children who are home from school or childcare:

Can I work on campus?

All staff should be working from home or remotely at this time unless you have explicit permission to be on campus through the ‘Safe Return to Campus’ approval and compliance process. Requests for being on campus can only be submitted by team leaders and only those staff who meet the criteria for being on campus will be granted permission.

Practical or personal challenges in working remotely should be discussed with your Faculty Executive Director, HoS or manager and advice may also be sought from the HR Business Partnering team. Additional advice on IT requirements for working-from-home can also be found on the IT website.

If you need to make a very short visit to campus to pick up personal items, IT equipment etc. speak with your manager. As the campus is now in secure mode building access is limited to students and staff who currently have 24/7 access. Those with access will need their student or staff pass to access their offices. If you need to use campus facilities and do not have access, speak with your manager.

The HR Hub provides information on leave options, working-from-home guidelines, returning to campus and other useful FAQs.

When will face-to-face teaching resume?

Teachers should continue to deliver classes by online or other means that can be accessed remotely until further notice.

For more information, including best pedagogical practices and technology and tools assistance, visit the Teaching Remotely website.

Plans for a cautious and staged return to campus including the resumption of campus activity and face-to-face teaching are in development. For further information visit our ‘Safe Return to Campus’ page.

How do I conduct virutal/online meetings?

We ask staff to hold as many university business meetings as possible by A/V link or other remote means. All UNSW staff have access to Microsoft Teams. Microsoft Teams is a communication and collaboration platform that combines persistent workplace chat, video meetings, file storage (including collaboration on files), and application integration.

UNSW IT is hosting remote Teams training sessions. Register here.

What should staff members do if a student asks questions or raises concerns about their studies?

Please refer them to The Nucleus for advice on how the University can best support them to continue with their studies.
Students can also access support via our Student Support Advisors or International Student Advisors.

What do I do if I am a staff member and my child is unable to attend school?

We are aware that some staff may need to take care of children who are unable to attend school due to NSW Government advice. You may be eligible for carer’s leave. Please contact your manager for further details.

Can I request new IT equipment to work from home?

If you do not have a suitable UNSW laptop or appropriate IT equipment to work remotely please complete the Equipment Request Form on the IT website. Before completing the form please speak to your nominated Faculty Executive Director, Divisional Head/Director or equivalent, or Line Manager.

Can I borrow office equipment to work from home?

We understand that not all of you will have everything you need to make a comfortable home office environment which is why we are allowing you to borrow the following items (provided they were already allocated to you prior to your work from home arrangements):

Desk chair
Footrest
Laptop stand
Other non-bulky office equipment

The University is concerned about your safety and wellbeing, and this includes the risk of injury from lifting and carrying heavy equipment in and out of vehicles. Given this risk you are not permitted to remove bulky items. This includes:

Sit/stand desks
Printers
Other bulky office equipment.

You should also refrain from removing stationery, printer ink, toner and other office consumables.

You are allowed to collect any permitted items for as long as the UNSW campus remains open.

If you have a pre-existing condition, which prevents safe movement of equipment to a vehicle, UNSW Security will be able to assist (between 8am – 5pm) if you make the request in advance. Security may ask for an email from your Manager or HR Business Partner.

Managers are responsible for tracking borrowed items at a local level. All borrowed items must be returned to UNSW upon return to work. You will be required to reimburse UNSW for any items that you do not return.

Can I be reimbursed for equipment I have purchased to work from home?

No. UNSW expenditure for home office equipment and consumables (both IT and non-IT) is not permitted.

The one exception is if you have a pre-existing, documented, medical, ergonomic requirement. You will first need to discuss options with either your HR Business Partner or Line Manager and obtain written approval. Costs will be incurred at a local level (not centrally funded).

You must use one of UNSWs approved ergonomic equipment suppliers from the below list:

Winya
Watts Furniture
Schiavello
Work Arena

Can I purchase equipment to work from home with a UNSW Credit Card?

No. UNSW Credit Cards must not be used to purchase equipment for use at home. If you have already used a UNSW Credit Card to purchase working from home equipment, you will be required to reimburse UNSW. The only exception is if you have a pre-existing, documented, medical, ergonomic requirement as outlined above. Procurement must also be from the same approved suppliers as outlined above.

Am I eligible for working from home tax deductions?

If you are unable to borrow or collect items, you may be able to claim a deduction for some expenses incurred. For further information visit the Working from Home page of the Australian Tax Office website.

How can I make a donation to help students or staff facing hardship due to COVID-19 or to support the University’s research initiatives?

If you would like to make a contribution to support students or staff in need or to support one of the COVID-19 research initiatives, you can use the UNSW staff giving portal.

Who can I contact for support?

If staff require support, they should talk to their manager. UNSW also provides support services for staff members through its free and confidential counselling service, Benestar, the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).