Please remember our Employee Assistance Service is available to all staff and their families on 1300 277 924 and the People, Talent and Culture team is also available to provide further support and ensure you can remain connected to the University during this challenging time.
Please don’t hesitate to contact ptc@unisa.edu.au if you have any more questions or if you would like to discuss this.
The guides below provide helpful information and resources focussed on:
The UniSA Wellbeing website provides information, resources and UniSA initiatives that support staff wellbeing.
If you feel unwell and are displaying symptoms consistent with COVID-19, even if your symptoms are very mild, you should:
If you are severely unwell, such as having difficulty breathing, call 000 (Triple Zero).
Last updated:Friday 10 October 2022
If you test positive for COVID-19, please refer to the SA Health website for information on the current requirements and support available to you.
SA Health advises that if you test positive for COVID-19, you should stay home until your acute symptoms have cleared (usually 5 to 7 days).
You should advise your line manager/supervisor, who will work with you to identify what options may exist for leave or alternative working arrangements for you.
Continuing and fixed term staff are able to apply for leave via the myHR portal if they are unwell and not able to work, or not able to work from home due to their personal circumstances or the nature of their work. The University will also support you to carry out your duties remotely, where appropriate and with the appropriate line management approvals in place, until you are fully recovered.
If you are unable to work from home due to the nature of your work or personal circumstances please follow SA Health recommendations, including wear a mask when indoors and avoiding high risk settings and non-essential gatherings. If you work in a high-risk setting such as a health, disability and aged care, please speak to your line manager/supervisor about when you will be able to return to work.
For casual staff members, please see the response to the FAQ 'As a casual staff member, what supports are available to me?’
Please remember the University’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available to all staff members and their families via Human Psychology on 1300 277 924. People Central will also be available to ensure you have the support and information you need.
Last updated:Friday 10 October 2022
In the event you are unwell, you should not attend for work and take personal leave.
Ensure you report your absence to your line manager/supervisor as soon as possible and record your absence through myUniSA. You should not return to work until you are fully recovered.
Please note that symptoms associated with COVID-19 are diverse and can vary from individual to individual, so you shouldn’t assume your symptoms are not COVID-19 without checking. You can refer to the SA Health website for information about COVID-19, its symptoms, and testing requirements.
If you are one of our casual staff members, please see the response to the question 'As a casual staff member, what supports are available to me?’ in the ‘Leave and other employment matters’ section.
Last updated:Friday 10 October 2022
Please refer to the SA Health website for the definition of a ‘close contact’ in South Australia and information regarding what you will need to do if you have been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19.
Last updated: Monday 13 February 2023
If you are a close contact, there are important things you can do to reduce the risk to others. Ensure you monitor for symptoms, and if you get sick you should get tested and stay at home until you are well.
If you are unable to work from home due to the nature of your work or personal circumstances please follow SA Health guidelines, including wear a mask when indoors and avoiding high risk settings and non-essential gatherings.
If you begin to feel unwell and are displaying symptoms consistent with COVID-19 even if the symptoms are very mild, you should follow SA Health advice.
Last updated: Monday 13 February 2023
You first need to determine if you are a close contact in line with the SA Health advice and take appropriate action.
You should advise your line manager/supervisor and work with them to determine whether you will undertake your responsibilities from home or work on campus with appropriate precautions in place.
If you begin to feel unwell and are displaying symptoms consistent with COVID-19, even if they are very mild, you should:
Last updated: Monday 13 February 2023
If you are feeling anxious about the impact of COVID-19, or any aspect of your wellbeing, please remember the confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available to support you. Appointments are available from Monday to Friday, 9.00am-5.00pm and can be booked by calling 1300 277 924. Consultations can be provided remotely, via online or phone and face to face. For more information contact the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
If you are feeling unwell, you can contact the Health Direct Hotline - 1800 022 222 (available 24/7); the National Coronavirus Information Helpline - 1800 020 080 (available 24/7); or the SA COVID-19 Information Line - 1800 253 787 (available 7 days a week 8.00am-8.00pm).
The University also has a wide range of wellbeing information, resources, training modules and tools available through the People, Talent and Culture website.
Additionally, SA Health has a mental health fact sheet with more information on their website.
You can also speak to your line manager/supervisor about how you are feeling, or the People Central team who will be happy to provide confidential assistance and advice.
Last updated:Friday 10 October 2022
Yes, you can attend a vaccination appointment, including boosters, during work time. You do not need to take paid leave for this purpose. The University will support you having the time to attend the appointment, including reasonable travel time, on the proviso that you have discussed it with your line manager before confirming the appointment and your absence will not disrupt the delivery of teaching or other key services.
If you are unwell following the vaccination, you can access personal leave entitlements or other accrued paid leave entitlements. If all paid leave entitlements are exhausted, staff members may be eligible for special leave with pay subject to the approval of their Executive Dean or Director of Unit.
You can also take time during working hours to get a PCR test without the need to access paid leave entitlements, once you have discussed the need to get a test in working hours with your line manager.
Last updated:Friday 10 October 2022
If continuing or fixed term staff are unwell following a vaccination, you should advise your line manager/supervisor and record your absence using myHR . You can access personal leave and, in the event you have exhausted your personal leave entitlements, you may be able to access other forms of paid leave. For more information, you can refer to AskPTC or contact People Central.
Last updated:Friday 10 October 2022
Masks are still required in some areas, such as University health related settings, under ongoing public health mandates.
In all other University environments, wearing of masks is a personal choice, noting that SA Health advice is that mask wearing is an effective method for the reduction of transmission of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses and contribute to the protection of members of our University community.
Last updated:Friday 10 October 2022