EMPLOYEE WELLBEING ADVICE

Many colleagues across University of the West of Scotland are now working remotely in support of the national efforts to mitigate the impact of coronavirus – which are of paramount importance in keeping our University community safe and well. It is important to stress that UWS remains open. Our services remain available, with colleagues continuing to deliver high levels of service across our operations.

remote WORKING RESOURCES

Adapting to remote working, when you are used to being office-based, can be an adjustment. Remote support is available from ITDS, to help you familiarise yourself with the different software and programmes available to you. ITDS have a range of information and guides, covering a wide range of topics, which you can access at any time online. You can also reach them by calling 0141 848 3999 or by emailing helpdesk@uws.ac.uk. With your remote working set-up, we recommend you take some time to review our Display Screen Equipment (DSE) checklist and use this to make sure you’re working safely. Should you experience any difficulties with any aspects of working remotely, health-related or otherwise, please discuss with your line manager in the first instance. Support continues to be available to all colleagues, including from the Occupational Health team: your line manager will be able to discuss options, in the first instance.

WELFARE AND SUPPORT

Health Assured is the University’s employee assistance programme, a confidential helpline which is available 24 hours a day for staff and their immediate family. You can access full details of how to get in touch on the staff intranet. As well as over-the-phone advice, the Health Assured website has lots of practical tips across a range of work and life skills, including webinars on remote working, resilience at work, sleep, change and maintaining a work-life balance. In addition, if staff or students would like information on practical strategies for managing stress, anxiety and depression, they can review the free, confidential, online SilverCloud programme. The Employee Wellbeing section on the staff intranet also hosts useful resources and contacts.

STAY ACTIVE

With most of us spending more time indoors, it’s important to make the time to get out and stay active. Under the current government guidelines, we are still able to get out once a day for a walk, run, jog or cycle whilst observing social distancing. Not only will this benefit your physical health, but your mental health too. There’s lots you can do indoors as well and UWS Sport are sharing daily tips, exercise routines and useful links to help everyone find a way to keep active that works for them. You can find these on the Team UWS Facebook and Twitter. There are also plenty of free workout videos across social media and on YouTube which are suitable to do on your own or with your family, and the NHS has some great ideas for gym-free workouts too. If you have a question about the UWS Sport exercise routines or any other aspect of exercising at home please email sportenquiry@uws.ac.uk and one of the team will get back to you.

Useful resources

Last updated: 08/04/2020