[Academic] Technical support during Tier 4 lockdown

[David McKee]

Dear colleagues

As you know, we are moving into a heightened lockdown period. In line 
with the guidance received from senior management, we are looking to 
minimise occupancy in the John Anderson Building during this period.

Our aim is to engage with the spirit of the new legislation as well as 
the letter. As such, I am writing to request that all technical staff 
engage with the heads of groups that they support with a view to 
agreeing plans to work from home where possible during this period. I 
would ask everyone involved to be as flexible as possible to ensure that 
we are not asking people to travel in unnecessarily.

As examples, if time could be spent working on designing materials, 
planning and implementing purchasing, documenting work, training online 
etc, then please prioritise this over activities that require on-site 
attendance. Whilst we are all under pressure to push on with research 
and teaching activities, it is essential that we redouble our focus on 
the health and well-being of our staff during this period.

Thank you for you co-operation on this. Please do not hesitate to 
contact me if there are difficulties etc. I would appreciate receiving 
feedback from technical staff to confirm that they have had a 
conversation with their group heads and what the outcome of that 
conversation is ASAP. Ideally this should happen today, but by very 
early next week at the latest. Apologies for the late notice - we are 
being guided by emerging advice from the University and the Scottish 
Government and responding as quickly as possible.

Best wishes

David