Coronavirus (COVID-19)

If you are generally unwell, whether it be a virus, common cold/flu or any other kind, you will be required to stay home from work. Contact Student Guild reception or your manager. If you are at work and become unwell, notify your manager and immediately go home. 

Talk to your manager about your ability to work from home. If you are not well enough and/or are unable to work from home, take sick leave (permanent staff) or unpaid leave (casual staff). 

If you have been unwell with flu-type symptoms, we may request you receive medical clearance from a medical practitioner, confirming your fitness for work before returning to the workplace. 

If you have symptoms consistent with COVID-19, stay home and seek advice from 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) or your GP (you must call ahead). You can also call the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms vary in severity and presentation, and may include fever, flu-like symptoms including coughing, sore throat and fatigue.

For more information, visit Queensland Health.

If you may have been exposed to COVID-19 or have caring responsibilities for someone potentially exposed, stay home – follow the advice provided by Queensland Health, then contact your manager. If well you should work from home (where possible) until you have confirmation that the potential exposure was negative. Then, if you are feeling well, you can return to work.

If you are unwell, stay at home. If you have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 or the exposure is confirmed as positive, do not come to campus and follow advice from 13 HEALTH or your GP (call ahead). Only return to work when you have full medical clearance.

If you need to care for a family member who is generally unwell, you can either work from home (if applicable and approved), or take sick leave. Casual staff are entitled to two consecutive days unpaid carer’s leave per occasion where an immediate family or household member requires care or support.

We are here to support you – always talk to your manager.

If you need to care for or support a family or household member who is sick with COVID-19, or they are suffering an unexpected emergency, you are entitled to take paid compassionate leave. Full and part-time employees are entitled to 2 days compassionate leave per occasion. Casual staff are entitled to unpaid compassionate leave (2 days).

If you come into contact with a family or household member who has tested positive for COVID-19, you will be required to follow the steps outlined above – ‘What do I do if I have been exposed to someone diagnosed with COVID-19?”.

Based on current health advice, you must self quarantine if you have been overseas and are feeling unwell or if you have been in close contact with someone who already has COVID-19. If this applies to you please take measures to self-quarantine immediately and contact your manager as soon as practicable to inform them of the situation.

Self-isolation means staying home and not taking visitors. If you do not live alone, use a separate bathroom if possible.

The Student Guild is keeping an eye on University and expert advice, and will support more stringent distancing and quarantine measures if required.

You should call the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080 for the most up to date advice. Currently testing for COVID-19 is only available for people who are experiencing symptoms and who have also travelled overseas within the past 14 days or who have been in contact with a confirmed cased of COVID-19.

If this applies to you should call ahead to your GP before attending in person. Dedicated Fever Clinic have been set up in the Robina Health Precinct and Gold Coast University Hospital to facilitate testing. Find out more at goldcoast.health.qld.gov.au/coronavirus-covid-19

We need to work together to practise good hygiene and to minimise risk for the benefit of ourselves and colleagues. Please review the Department of Health advice on good hygiene practices. In summary, staff should practise good hygiene by:

• washing hands regularly throughout the day with soap and water. In addition to washing hands before and after eating, and going to the toilet, please wash your hands before using communal work spaces such as reception or the kitchen.
• cleaning and disinfecting surfaces regularly including telephones and keyboards.
• disposing of tissues immediately.
• covering coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue
• maintain a distance of 1.5m when interacting with others.

The following key messages can help you respond to student queries or concerns:

• The Student Guild is reviewing our operations and program of events, activities, and services on a daily basis (and making adaptions as appropriate) as advice and developments relating to COVID-19 unfold. Activities that are proceeding will be run with increased safety and sanitation measures in place for students, staff and volunteers.
• We are prioritising student safety at this time and will continue to act in a manner consistent with Griffith University and expert advice. For up to date information on the University’s position, as well as support services, please visit griffith.edu.au/coronavirus/information-for-students
• We will keep students up to date on any changes to our program as the situation develops, and will maintain a flexible approach centred on student safety, wellbeing and support.
• Students should check their student email for up to date information on their academic program. If they have queries about the impact of COVID-19 on their assessments or attendance, the first point of contact is their course convenor in keeping with advice at griffith.edu.au/coronavirus/information-for-students 
• Students experiencing anxiety or depression should seek support. The following services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • • Griffith Mental Wellbeing Support Line 1300 785 442 or text 0488 884 146
    • Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636

Some staff will be able to work from home, subject to practicality and management approval, and provided a Working From Home agreement has been signed. Working from home arrangements will be monitored and revised periodically by your manager.

We are currently drafting advice to staff on potential leave arrangements in the event that circumstances require us to close the office.

Talk to your manager in the first instance so that they are across your situation. They can request your leave balance/s from the Finance Manager.

If you run out of leave, talk to your manager.

This is a time of uncertainty and upheaval in the broader community. If you are experiencing anxiety or depression we encourage you to seek support. The following services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Griffith Mental Wellbeing Support Line 1300 785 442 or text 0488 884 146

Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636

At time of writing, all Griffith University campuses are open for business. The University is rolling out measures to practice social distancing now and in anticipation of longer term impacts of COVID-19. Although current government bans do not apply to universities, the University has suspended all classes with over 100 people as of Thursday 18 March 2020. The University is rolling out plans to move smaller lectures online from next week, and to transition workshops, tutorials and other teaching activities online as soon as practicable. Non-core teaching, learning and research events of more than 20 people are also being cancelled or postponed.

The University is reviewing assessment policies and delivery to accommodate and support students during this time. Currently the library, food outlets and child-care services remain open.