This document provides guidance for on-campus activity for faculty and staff in response to the Government of Ontario’s February 8, 2021 press release and the university’s announcement about easing some on-campus restrictions. These guidelines are subject to change if the region experiences a rapid acceleration in COVID-19 transmission which may result in returning to the Grey-Lockdown restrictions.

Return to campus plans for staff and faculty have been guided by the Return to Campus framework and Queen’s Return to Campus Guidelines (video version and written version).

As noted in the Return to Campus framework, university activities should occur remotely where possible. This approach ensures there is sufficient space to maintain appropriate physical distancing for those who must be on campus to support student operations and academic and supporting activities. It also allows Physical Plant Services (PPS) to focus resources on additional cleaning protocols only where required.

In return to campus plans, units should determine the number of faculty and staff required to be on campus to support the academic and limited non-academic activities that are being delivered in-person. In some cases, on-campus access may be needed to more effectively deliver services to students who are studying remotely.

An overriding principle of equity in these return to campus guidelines is that, if some services are delivered in person, an equitable service must be provided remotely for students who are not in Kingston.

All Faculties and most Shared Service Units have already had plans approved through the Return to Campus process. At this time, similar plans for other departments/units can be approved at the Faculty level with notification to the Campus Operations Group (COG) on numbers of people returning to specific buildings. Shared Service Units and other groups, that have not already had a plan approved, should submit a Request to Resume On-Campus Activities Form.

Plans should be flexible with some people working largely on campus, some largely remotely, and some alternating between on campus and remote work. These plans will be dependent on the size of the workforce and workspace available in each department.

Individuals with priority for returning to work:

1. Faculty and staff working in an essential area or function that is allowed to remain open under current Ontario Regulations, who cannot carry out their function remotely. If you have questions about whether your area or function is essential, please contact campus.restart@queensu.ca.
    
2. Staff and faculty who need temporary access to collect materials or equipment needed to work from home successfully.
    
3. Staff and faculty members who need access to campus to record lectures or prepare materials for teaching.
    
4. Faculty or staff who require accommodations under the Human Rights Code that cannot be addressed while working remotely.
    
   1. Faculty and staff with disability-related accommodation needs should contact the Return to Work and Accommodation Department in Human Resources.
      
      Accommodation needs based on other grounds should be discussed with the Dean or Dean's delegate in the case of faculty, and in the case of staff, with their manager.
      
      Deans and/or their delegates who have accommodation-related questions should contact:
      • the Return to Work and Accommodation Department for advice about disability-related accommodation needs; or,
      • Faculty Relations for advice concerning other accommodation requests.
         
   2. Staff managers, who have accommodation-related questions should contact:
      • the Return to Work and Accommodation Department for advice about disability-related accommodation needs; or,
      • their Human Resources Advisor for advice concerning other accommodation requests.
         
5. Student leaders who require access to their on-campus workspace to deliver services and provide support to the student community.
    
6. In consultation with their unit head or dean, staff and faculty who need to be in their on-campus workspace to be more productive or efficient.

Some faculty and staff, who would usually be on-campus supporting the activities noted above, should be supported if they choose to continue working remotely, these include:

• Staff and faculty who are part of an at-risk group (see at-risk group details below).
• Staff and faculty in a home with an individual that is in an At-risk group.
• Staff and faculty with care giving responsibilities that would prevent them from returning. See guidelines for staff with caregiving responsibilities and, for faculty, Queen’s-QUFA COVID LOU, Schedule C, paragraph 24.
• Staff and faculty with extenuating circumstances that would preclude them from returning to campus.

Human Resources can provide support, guidance and resources as units plan their phased return to campus. Additional resources are available on the Human Resources website.
 

Some groups are at higher risk of getting COVID-19. You may be in an at-risk group if you:

• are 70 years old or older
• are getting treatment that compromises (weakens) your immune system (for example: chemotherapy, medication for transplants, corticosteroids, TNF inhibitors)
• have a condition that compromises (weakens) your immune system (for example: lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, other autoimmune disorder)
• have a chronic (long-lasting) health condition (for example: diabetes, emphysema, asthma, heart condition)
• regularly go to a hospital or health care setting for a treatment (for example: dialysis, surgery, cancer treatment)

At-risk information accessed from: https://www.ontario.ca/page/covid-19-stop-spread#section-0