Meningitis outbreak prompts union to demand staff & students be allowed to work from home

Whereas the University of Kent has tried to minimise on campus working, CCCU has refused to do so. This is despite UCU requests, a confirmed case, the anxiety caused to staff and students by campus remaining open, and the external risk to the reputation of the university.

The union is now calling on management to email all staff and make clear if they choose to stay off campus, they will face no disciplinary action whatsoever.

Vaccinations are also being made available to students living in University of Kent halls and UCU is urging the government to expand the vaccination programme more widely now that students at other universities, including CCCU and one in London, have contracted meningitis.

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: 'University staff and students are rightly very concerned about the meningitis outbreak, especially those living and working in Kent. As the union representing university staff, we have told every one of our members at CCCU we will back their decision to work remotely if they do not feel safe. We are calling on university management to take a precautionary approach and reassure staff and students in writing that they will face no disciplinary action whatsoever if they choose to stay off campus.

'All universities across the UK need to work with union health and safety reps and reassure their staff and student bodies they are monitoring the situation closely and taking every precaution to ensure campuses remain safe.'