[Academic] Matters relating to our COVID-19 response

[Paul McKenna]

Dear All,

This email is to provide you with an update and to ask for your input on 
two matters relating to our COVID-19 response.

_1. Furlough Scheme_.

As communicated by Sandra Heidinger on Wednesday, the University has 
decided to use the Government’s Furlough Scheme for a small percentage 
of staff who occupy roles which cannot be carried out due to 
Coronavirus. Importantly, any staff member who is placed on a period of 
furlough will continue to receive their full pay as standard and will 
continue to be a University employee.  The HR team have consulted with 
me, and in turn I have consulted line managers, regarding Research and 
KE staff who may be eligible for this scheme. In fact, almost all of our 
staff in these job categories are continuing to work effectively from 
home/remotely, and are therefore not eligible at present. However, it is 
clear that as the lockdown continues, some of our researchers will run 
out of data to analyse, papers to write etc. and may thereby become 
eligible in the weeks ahead.

I anticipate that the university will continue to utilise the furlough 
scheme as long as it is available and understand the Government have 
currently extended the scheme until the end of June. Given there is a 
minimum furlough period of 3 weeks, HR would need to be advised by early 
June at the latest (subject to the scheme not being extended further) of 
any individuals that could be furloughed over the coming weeks. If you 
think that a member of staff for whom you are line manager may become 
eligible for the Furlough scheme in the coming weeks, please notify 
Gabrielle. Thanks.

_2. Planning for a return to research and KE activities on campus._

In anticipation of a future easing of the lockdown and return to campus, 
the Department needs to start drawing up plans for a phased return of 
laboratory-based research and KE activities. The final plans need to 
await policy decisions by the Executive Team (following the evolving 
government guidance etc), but it is important to start the planning 
process early. I have drafted the attached consultation document as a 
basis for discussion and plan to have an initial *meeting on Tuesday 
(12th May) starting at 4pm*, to capture your input to this process. I'm 
happy to take comments by email for those that cannot join at this time.

I should stress that some of the decisions around return to work will be 
determined at University or Faculty level. However, it is important that 
the Department has processes in place for prioritising individuals and 
research activities, so that our campus-based research can be brought 
back online in a managed way.

Details of the Zoom meeting 4pm-5pm on Tuesday 12th May:

https://strath.zoom.us/j/91832681184

Meeting ID: 918 3268 1184
Password: 024184

Finally, I encourage you to join the Principal's Engagement Session on 
Wednesday.

Have a good (extended) weekend!

Regards,

Paul

-- 
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Prof. Paul McKenna
Head of Department
Department of Physics, SUPA,
University of Strathclyde,
Glasgow G4 0NG
U.K.

Tel: 0141-548-3132 (secretary) / 5712 (direct)
Email: paul.mckenna at strath.ac.uk
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