The Public Health Agency of Sweden has established that workplaces constitute a big risk for transmission of COVID-19. On 11 November 2020, as a consequence of the high level of infection and the introduction of stricter regional measures, Umeå University decided to revise its phrasing from should to employees must work from home to the extent possible. The standpoint at Umeå University for the period until 7 June 2021 is hence that all members of staff must work from home to the extent possible and after consultation with their manager (see decision FS 1.1-2617-20).
"Only staff who has work tasks that must be conducted at the workplace or staff who, in agreement with their managers and for specific reasons, have been granted an exception, are allowed to work in the university's premises. Staff who need to be in the premises must also maintain distance to others, and follow other COVID measures such as staying at home in the case of symptoms of disease," says Per Ragnarsson, Deputy University Director and chairperson of the university's Crisis Management Team.
Swedish Government demands action from public authorities
The Swedish Government decided in December to assign public authorities to take further actions to increase the number of employees that work from home. The Swedish authorities, Umeå University being one, are to ensure that all members of staff whose presence is non-essential in conducting the operations are not to be present in the authority's premises. This was initially valid until 24 January 2021 but has now been extended until 7 February 2021.
"Until 7 February, it is hence of particular importance that all members of staff follow these regulations and that no unnecessary exceptions are made. But please note that even after this date, the university's decision to maintain work from home is still valid until 7 June," continues Per Ragnarsson.
UPDATE 4 FEBRUARY 2021: The date until which all Swedish authorities are to ensure that only staff who has work tasks that must be conducted at the workplace are allowed to work in the university's premises has been extended until 31 May 2021 (previous decision: 7 February). Further extensions may be made.
National report of employees working from home
In another assignment issued by the Swedish Government, public authorities now have to report the proportion of employees that work from home every month, for the period of January–June 2021. At Umeå University, all heads of departments and offices and equivalent have been assigned to report the numbers for their departments and offices. At the end of every month, the Crisis Management Team will submit the university's data to the Swedish Agency for Government Employers, which is the party responsible for compiling the authorities' data into a number of reports.
Questions and further information
Stay updated on the changes that the pandemic causes on umu.se/en/covid-19. If you have questions regarding the university's COVID work, please contact the Crisis Management Team on corona@umu.se.