Coming back to campus

The Government has indicated that the current roadmap for a much broader relaxation of restrictions is on course for 19 July. We will continue to be guided by the latest Government guidance so, to give ourselves time to respond to any new measures required, we will start welcoming staff back to campus from August. 

We’ve updated our webpages to make sure you are supported through the coming months. These provide vaccination guidance for staff, and HR tools to prepare individuals and managers for working on site.

Our Remote Working Framework will come into effect once the new academic year begins in September. During the pandemic many Sussex staff have carried out their roles effectively away from campus. The framework will incorporate these lessons into new ways of working, while building on the work/life balance principles of Flexible Sussex.

Events to welcome you back

As more staff start to return to campus, it's important for us all to recognise the shared experience we have all lived through during the pandemic. This is the right time to reconnect not just with each other, but also with the campus and its surrounds.

You are invited to come to one of our events at the ACCA café over the summer months – to give you the chance to meet up with your colleagues and take a look around campus, to see how our buildings and open spaces have changed while many of you have been working from home.

You can now book an 11am or 2pm slot between 20 July and 1 September. We’d suggest you try to arrange to attend the same event as your teammates if possible so you can reconnect face-to-face.

What’s open on campus

Shops and eating places on campus are operating under restricted open times. Check opening hours for the Co-op store in Bramber House and our catering venue opening times.

Both Sussexsport’s on-campus sites are open and running both indoor and outdoor group exercise classes, in line with the current government guidelines. Keep an eye out for announcements about bespoke activities to welcome staff back to campus in the coming weeks. Visit the Sussexsport pages for the latest information about facilities, what they are offering online and how to contact the team.

Testing

Our test centre on level 1 of Bramber House is closed throughout July and August, and will re-open in September. We still recommend that staff who work on campus get tested regularly.

Rapid lateral flow tests are for people who do not have coronavirus symptoms. You can get a pack of seven rapid tests sent to your home or you can go to a local pharmacy – including the University Pharmacy on campus – to collect up to two packs of seven rapid LFD tests to carry out at home. 

The tests are free, and you get a result 30 minutes after taking each test. If you do tests at home, please report both negative and positive results online or on the phone.

If you are showing symptoms (a new cough, a high temperature or changes in your sense of smell or taste), you must self-isolate and book a PCR test. There’s plenty of testing capacity in Brighton, so results are returned quickly.

Sussex staff can apply to buy additional holiday 

The University has launched an Annual Leave Purchase Scheme (ALPS) to give you the option to buy additional annual leave on top of your usual holiday entitlement.

The scheme will operate in two windows and you will have to apply for the additional leave during these periods. You will be able to apply for up to 10 days’ additional annual leave pro rata, per leave year, with the funds needed to buy the additional leave recovered in equal instalments directly from your monthly pay.  

Please talk to your line manager beforehand and read the policy, guidance notes and FAQs about the scheme.