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UCL supports the roll out of COVID-19 vaccinations across the UK and has produced the following statement based on the one that Universities & Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) and the joint trade unions (EIS, GMB, UCU, UNISON and Unite) have agreed in their continued efforts to ensure the safety and wellbeing of Higher Education staff.
This statement will continue to apply to the Covid-19 vaccination booster programme or any follow-on vaccination programme that is rolled out across the respective nations.
We:
support the current roll out of COVID-19 vaccines across the UK
will work together to encourage uptake of vaccination across the University
encourage all UCL staff and sub-contractors to get vaccinated when offered the opportunity
will give paid time off to enable staff to attend vaccination appointments where it is not possible for individuals to schedule an appointment outside working hours
recommend that UCL contractors, the Students’ Union and other employers operating on campus, grant paid time off for vaccination appointments, where it is not possible for individuals to schedule an appointment outside working hours
recognise that there may be valid medical, cultural or other important factors for individuals not wanting to be vaccinated and, where not legally required to do so, they should suffer no detriment. However, not having a vaccine will not be a valid reason to not return to campus. Further medical advice for employees who are not vaccinated and feel that they are at a higher risk can be obtained by first completing an individual health assessment and then making a referral to Workplace Health if necessary
vaccination status is personal information. It is therefore not appropriate to ask colleagues or students whether they have been vaccinated in a public setting. A line manager or student advisor may ask this question in a confidential conversation if it forms part of a discussion about their health and/or their reluctance to return to campus
encourage managers whose staff have concerns about the vaccination process, to listen to them with respect and to seek to reassure them through the provision of factual material from organisations such as Public Health England and the NHS
acknowledge that although vaccines work very well, they are not 100% effective: therefore, appropriate risk assessments and controls are still required
reiterate that UCL follows the principles for working safely on campus during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and remind staff that they are required to comply with the necessary precautions/social distancing requirements and wear necessary PPE (unless exempt) even after being vaccinated