Do not come to campus under any circumstances if you have any common symptoms of covid-19
You should:
- Self-isolate
- Get a COVID-19 test
What you should do in response to a suspected or confirmed case of Covid-19
Information for Staff
Teaching Plan 2021-22
The University’s plans for Teaching in the Academic Year 2021-22 can be read at the link below:
Teaching in 2021-22
Working on Campus
With the start of the new academic year and with teaching and research being designated essential activities within higher education, most university teaching will be on campus and services will return to near-normal operation with additional precautionary measures. Public health guidelines will continue to inform decisions, with the health and safety of staff and students being paramount.
From 30 August 2021, all staff may return to work on campus provided they read the
Return to Campus - Quick Guide for Staff
and follow the pre-return to campus steps outlined below.
In general, all staff required to deliver teaching, research and associated support services should prepare to return on campus for the start of Semester 1 on 20th September, unless they have agreed other arrangements with their Head of Department.
Prior to coming on campus, and if you are in a shared office, please contact your Head of Department to check the capacity of the office. Shared offices should have either 2 metre separation between staff or screens between desks, along with adequate ventilation. If these cannot be arranged, a rota system will be put in place.
The Return to Campus process comprises a short questionnaire and three-minute COVID safety video. The questionnaire can be accessed here. Staff who completed the return to campus process already should view a refresher video here. Outside of completing this process, there is no specific permission is needed.
You must not return to campus if you:
- are showing signs of Covid-19 or have done so in the last 14 days;
- have been diagnosed with Covid-19 within the last 14 days or are awaiting test results;
- are a close contact of someone who has been diagnosed with Covid-19 in the last 14 days, unless you are vaccinated, in which case you should follow HSE guidelines;
- have been advised to isolate or are in the ‘Very High Risk’ category and are not vaccinated;
- are required to restrict your movements following overseas travel in line with public health advice.
Please read more information for staff about working from campus here
Working remotely
Home Workstation Questionnaire
It is essential that employees have a safe working environment when working from home. As such, all employees should complete the Home Workstation Questionnaire to establish the suitability of their home working environment. This questionnaire is available here.
Once completed, your questionnaire will be reviewed by a member of Campus Services. If it is determined that you require additional equipment to ensure that your place of work is safe, you will be contacted by a member of Campus Services to discuss your requirements.
IT Equipment
While working from home during Covid-19 restrictions, employees should continue to use their University assigned IT equipment. If necessary, employees should contact their Head of Department so that they can collect same from their Department.
Where it is not possible for an employee to collect their assigned IT equipment from the campus, or their assigned equipment is not suitable to use from home, the University will, where possible, provide the necessary equipment, such as headsets, keyboards and a mouse, to ensure that they can work effectively from home. Any equipment that the University provides remains the property of the University. Therefore, employees must keep this equipment safe and avoid any misuse.
If you require additional IT equipment, you should send a request to IT Services (servicedesk@mu.ie) cc’ing your Head of Department/Budget Holder and using “WFH IT Equipment Request” in the subject line.
IT Services will then source the requisite items and, when sourced, you will be notified and requested to schedule a time to pick the equipment up from IT Services in the Eolas Buildings. Pick-up of equipment will be by scheduled appointment only.
Please note, whenever pre-used equipment is supplied, it will be thoroughly sanitised beforehand.
Working Remotely Policies and Guidelines
Employees are encouraged to read the below University policies and guidelines, which provide information on working from home working during this period.
Working From Home During COVID-19 Policy
Guidance for Data Protection
IT support when working from home Guidance on working from home
Guidance for Health and Safety When Working From Home During the Covid Period
Library Guide to Online Resources
Return to Campus Quick Guide
Travel Information
International Travel on University Business
Please note, further information on international travel will be provided in advance of the 19th of July
There should be no travel outside Ireland on University business until further notice. If travel is somehow considered essential for business purposes, then explicit permission is required in advance from a member of UE and must only be permitted in accordance with public health guidance and restrictions.
All employees should request permission from the relevant UE member no later than three weeks prior to the proposed travel by email and c.c. their Head of Department in this email. It is the responsibility of individuals undertaking the travel to ensure that they comply with any provisions for restricted movement on return to Ireland.
Please ensure you check the HSE guidelines [here].
International Travel for Personal Reasons
Government advice to avoid non-essential travel, and related penalties will remain in place until 18 July. As and from 19 July this will be changed to advise citizens to travel safely and in accordance with public health guidance and restrictions.
For country specific information, you should review the Department of Foreign Affair’s website and for all other travel related information visit the Government’s website here.
All employees are required to advise the University in advance of all travel, including personal travel. This requirement is necessary for the protection of public health. It is the responsibility of individuals undertaking personal travel to ensure that they comply with any provisions for restricted movement on return to Ireland. Please ensure you check the Government’s guidelines here.
All employees should report their intended overseas travel plans to their HoD in writing no later than two weeks prior to their overseas travel, including their date of return.
Academic staff should ensure that their travel arrangements allow for a safe return to campus, including completion of any period of restricted movement, by the beginning of the second semester or earlier if their presence is required on-campus.
Domestic Travel
Employees who travel within Ireland for personal reasons should fully adhere to public health guidelines.
Guidelines, Policies and Links
- Return to Campus Quick Guide for Staff
- Teaching in 2021-22 MU Covid19 Operational Response Plan
- Government’s Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19
- Department of Education and Skills Circular Letter 0051/2020 Letter dated 11 August 2020
- Implementation Guidelines for Public Health Measures in Higher Education Institutions
- DPER Information for Civil and Public Servants
- Government’s COVID-19 Webpage
- National Standards Authority of Ireland Workplace Protection and Improvement Guide
- MU Covid-19 Incident Response Plan
- Summary of Working Arrangements in response to COVID-19