HoD News - 6 May 2021

Head of Department Niels Haldrup

Dear colleagues,

The latest update regarding the gradual reopening of society includes the message that from 21 May, 50 per cent of the University’s students are allowed on campus. Most courses and teaching activities for the spring semester will end by mid-May. At this point, we are awaiting further details from the university management about how this part of the reopening will be implemented locally.

Returning to the workplace

The current government advice remains that we should continue to work from home. I am certain that most of us follow the easing of lockdown restrictions closely, both from a private and a professional perspective. Details and guidelines are still to be decided, but following the latest political agreement, it is likely that there will  be a phased return of the workforce in the public sector from 21 May. Therefore, together with the Local Liaison Committee (LSU) and the Departmental Forum, the management team has started the initial considerations concerning a safe and gradual return to the workplace.

New ways of working, teaching and meeting have come into practice this past year. Some employees are eager to come back to their office as soon as possible, and others prefer remote working for some time to come.  This means that especially in the first stage(s) of the reopening, a flexible and individualised approach to “reboarding” will be in focus. There is still some uncertainty ahead, but as more people become vaccinated against COVID-19, we will hopefully move towards a second stage of reopening that entails very few, if any, restrictions. When possible, I look forward to returning to campus and meeting colleagues in person again.

I wish you a nice weekend

Niels Haldrup