COVID-19 STAFF INFORMATION
Please be assured that the health and safety of our employees, contractors, customers, visitors and office bearers is our top priority.
The Guild is following the mandates and recommendations of the Federal and State Government and those of Curtin University.
Visitor and Contractor Information
For the safety of staff and students please be aware that visitors and contractors will not be able to enter Guild offices if:
- have you been to an exposure site
- Do you have any cold or flu symptoms
- Are you a close contact of a confirmed case of Covid
- Have you been a confirmed case of COVID in the last 14 days
Please be aware that you will need to be vaccinated to enter the Tav (or dine in at Cafes)
Curtin has an onsite, drive-through PCR testing clinic that is available to staff, students and members of the community. It is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 12 noon. The PCR clinic is located at Carpark PJ2, Townsing Drive
The state government is now supplying and delivering 15 free RATs to every household that registers to receive them. You can find information and register here.
General Information
What do I do if I do not feel well?
If you are feeling unwell please stay at home.
What do I do if I have symptoms?
If you experience symptoms, you need to get tested immediately, and isolate until a result is returned:
- If positive – follow positive case guidelines
- If negative – you are not required to isolate but should stay home until symptoms clear
What if I am a close contact?
At the time of posting this, you are a close contact if:
- You have been advised by WA Health that you are a close contact
- You are a household member and/or intimate partner of a person with COVID-19 who has had contact with them during their infectious period.
- You have had close personal interaction with a person with COVID-19 during their infectious period, where they spent 4 hours of cumulative contact with them in a residential setting in any 24-hour period where masks have been removed by both people during the period of contact.
Close contacts of positive COVID cases will no longer have to quarantine for seven days if they are symptom-free (however must wear a mask when outside the home, work from home where possible, avoid non-essential and high-risk settings and take a daily RAT).
Close contacts who experience symptoms must isolate until their symptoms have resolved and they are tested.
If a close contact tests positive, they must isolate for a further seven days.
More information can be found at the the State Government’s webpage
When can I return to work if I am COVID-19 positive?
You must isolate and return to work in accordance with WA health requirements. As of 2 March 2022, you must isolate for 7 complete days and can leave isolation if you do not have any symptoms at the end of that period.
If you have symptoms at the end of 7 days, you must continue to isolate until the symptoms resolve. As requirements can change please check https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/A_E/Coronavirus/Quarantine-and-isolation for the latest requirements.
You are allowed to return to work once you have met isolation requirements and any other requirements that may apply at the time.
Should I download the government’s ServiceWA/SafeWA app?
Proof of COVID-19 vaccinations is no longer required to enter venues and businesses however it is still required when visiting hospitals and residential aged care facilities.
Mandatory workplace vaccination requirements remain in place.
The ServiceWA app has the capability to show proof of vaccination.
For more information visit the WA Government website
Where can I find the latest information and advice about COVID-19?
Regularly updated information can be found on the State Government website.
Where can I find information about exposure sites and isolation requirements?
Where can I get vaccinated?
Vaccination is free for everyone in Australia, even if you don't have a Medicare card. Bookings can be made here.
If you have a Medicare card, as a University Associate you can book your vaccination at the Curtin Medical Centre
What if my personal travel is disrupted and I cannot return to work?
Guild staff planning private travel are advised to stay up to date with relevant government restrictions and book individual leave accordingly (including any mandatory quarantine periods and additional time for travel disruptions).
Given the potential risks and barriers for re-entry into WA from locations outside the State, anyone travelling should be very aware of the potential costs and lengthy delays in being able to return to work.
Any such disruptions need to be managed on an individual and situational basis, and you should discuss this with your supervisor or portfolio manager.
Work Arrangements if I am in or caring for someone in quarantine/isolation
Who do I notify if I have to isolate?
Please notify your supervisor or portfolio manager.
Do I get paid if I am isolation?
If you can perform your work from home then you will be paid as normal.
If you can’t do your work at home:
- Casual staff – you may be covered by a Government Payment (see below)
- Non-casual staff (including President, VPE, VPA, Secretary) – you can use Personal Leave. If no Personal Leave is available you may be covered by a Government Payment (see below) or can use annual leave.
- Paid Office Bearers (other than President, VPE, VPA, Secretary) – paid as normal, expected to work from home. However, if not able to work from home, then you may be covered by a Government Payment (see below)
Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment
You must also meet both of the following requirements to be eligible:
- you’ve lost at least 8 hours or a full day’s work
- you have cash (or similar) assets of less than $10,000 on the first day of the period you’re claiming for
This payment is currently available to 30 June 2022 and claims must be submitted within 14 days of starting your isolation or caring period.
Other requirements and details are at www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/pandemic-leave-disaster-payment
WA COVID-19 Test Isolation Payment
The WA Government has said that it is intending to implement a COVID-19 Test Isolation Payment for workers living in WA who have been directed to quarantine while waiting for a COVID-19 test result. The isolation payment is expected to be only available if you do not have access to paid leave or other income.
Find out more on the WA Government website here.
Work Arrangements if Guild outlets reduce hours or shutdown
What happens if Guild outlets reduce hours or shutdown?
Should the Guild need to shut down outlets or reduce staffing levels, we want to ensure that casual staff receive wages consistent with what they expect to receive for the current roster period for the work they typically perform.
Subject to you not being able to access any government support payments for the missed work (see below), the Guild will make a voluntary payment.
Details of this voluntary payment are:
- If you are not permitted to attend work during the current roster because of restrictions imposed on the Guild, you will be paid in accordance with the roster for normal work
- As an example, normal work excludes occasional/irregular events such as graduations.
- Any payments would be capped at 38 hours/week (unless actual hours worked are higher than this)
- Note that overtime/penalty rates and allowances do not apply to pay received for hours not worked.
Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment
You must also meet both of the following requirements to be eligible:
- you’ve lost at least 8 hours or a full day’s work
- you have cash (or similar) assets of less than $10,000 on the first day of the period you’re claiming for
This payment is currently available to 30 June 2022 and claims must be submitted within 14 days of starting your isolation or caring period.
Other requirements and details are at www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/pandemic-leave-disaster-payment
Masks at Curtin
Masks are no longer mandatory except for high risk settings for people aged 12 years and older (including year 7s) in the following settings:
- on public transport, in taxis and rideshare vehicles and other passenger transport
- airports
- hospitals, residential aged care and disability service facilities, and correctional facilities.
Masks are encouraged where physical distancing isn’t possible.
Staff and student representatives working in Building 106F, outlets and kitchens are not required to wear masks but, of course, you are free to wear one.
Staff serving at catered functions through Kirribilli Catering will be required to wear masks until further notice.
If you are dealing with a lot of customers in close proximity then you are strongly encouraged to wear a mask.
Examples could include:
- Working at The Tav bar during lunch hour
- Working on a till in an outlet when it is busy
If you have any symptoms that could be mistaken for COVID symptoms (and you know you don’t have COVID), then you must wear a mask.
If you are a Close Contact (and your daily COVID test is negative) then you can work but must wear a mask.
Maintain physical separation and good ventilation as far as practicable (for example, if the weather is friendly, eating lunch with colleagues outside and spacing out a bit is a good idea and encouraged).
For more information visit the WA Government website
Curtin University Vaccination Mandate
Curtin University has implemented a COVID-19 vaccination mandate for its Western Australian campuses and activities.
The mandate is contained in the COVID-19 Vaccination Policy and COVID-19 Vaccination Procedures.
Who does this apply to?
The mandate applies to all university staff, Guild staff, other non-university staff, office bearers, students, contractors, tenants and visitors who wish to attend a campus or facility, or to participate in a University activity involving physical interaction with others.
When do I have to get vaccinated by?
To be on a Curtin campus in WA, or involved in Curtin activities involving physical interaction with others, you must have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by 21 February and a second by 21 March 2022.
After 21 March 2022, you will also need to provide evidence to the Guild that you have received a third or booster within one month of becoming eligible.
How do I prove that I am vaccinated?
Proof of vaccination can be:
- an Australian Government COVID-19 vaccination certificate
- an Immunisation History Statement recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register; or
- written confirmation issued by the Department of Health of your COVID-19 vaccination
More information on proving your vaccination status is here and here.
You can provide these details by:
- Forwarding a copy of your medical record to hr@guild.curtin.edu.au, once it has been sighted and date lodged in the Guild registry it will be disposed/deleted appropriately, or
- Schedule a time for one of the below individual’s to sight your Covid-19 digital certificate or MyGovID app record of your vaccination:
As the Guild will not be storing your vaccination record, you are expected to have easy access to this record during hours of work; this can be electronically or with your personal belongings. This will enable you to prove your vaccination status should any approved inspector require to see it on the spot.
If you have concerns or are uncomfortable to provide your vaccination status, please contact any of the above listed staff to discuss your situation.
If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to reach out to your manager or hr@guild.curtin.edu.au
What happens if I do not provide proof of my vaccination?
By not providing proof of your vaccination by the required dates, you will be considered unvaccinated and as a result restricted from accessing the workplace.
What if I am not vaccinated in time?
An unvaccinated employee, without an exemption, will not be able to access the workplace. For hospitality/retail casual employees, this means that you will not be given work. Permanent employees should seek advice from their supervisor about the consequences of not being able to access their workplace and what arrangements, if any, that can be put in place.
There are significant fines associated with non-compliance for both employers and individuals found in breach of the mandatory vaccination requirements.
I only come to campus on an incidental basis for work – does the mandate apply to me?
The mandate applies to all visitors including those who are incidental or infrequent visitors (e.g. delivery drivers, courier services).
Can I be exempted from getting vaccinated?
Limited permanent and temporary exemptions are available on medical grounds from the Australian Immunisation Register or on a limited and temporary basis from the Chief Health Officer. The exemption process is here.
We have also been advised that temporary COVID-19 vaccination exemptions will be extremely limited with each exemption having to be personally approved by WA’s Chief Health Officer – a direct exemption from a GP or specialist will not satisfy the exemption requirements.
COVID-19 Vaccines
Is the vaccine safe?
The Australian Government Department of Health website provides answers to questions or misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines while the State Government’s advice is here.
How can I be forced to be vaccinated?
No one will be forced to be vaccinated. However, unvaccinated workers can be restricted from accessing the workplace.
Working from Home
Please read these guides to assist you working from home.
Working from Home Guidelines
Here are some equipment guidelines:
- A Computer or Laptop and Phone
- You will need a good internet connection at home
- It would be advantageous to have a 23” monitor or larger
- A webcam, headset and microphone. A lot of times they are all in one, and laptops have some capability built in
- A dedicated desk space
- Posture is important, so a comfortable chair with support for back and pelvis.
- Make sure you have some form of Anti-Virus installed on your home computer, Defender is sufficient for Windows machines
Quality of Life factors:
- Try and have a dedicated space, an office is ideal but if not possible. a space that is clean, good natural light and you feel comfortable in. Bed doesn’t count.
- Posture is important, so a comfortable chair with support for back and pelvis. And, again bed doesn’t count
- Let your household know you are working and to respect this. Not from bed I hope
- Make a routine for starting work and ending work, along with a day structure. That means getting out of bed
- Take breaks, go in the sun and talk to someone!
Recommended Items
If you have any questions or require assistance please contact Slade Lever at S.Lever@guild.curtin.edu.au or George Velios at G.Velios@guild.curtin.edu.au
Practising Good Hygiene
Personal hygiene
- wash your hands frequently with soap and water, before and after eating, and after going to the toilet and dry them thoroughly
- cough and sneeze into your elbow or use a tissue and cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze
- dispose of used tissues immediately
- use alcohol-based hand sanitiser if you cannot wash your hands with soap and water
Kitchen areas
- wash your hands before eating
- wash cups, plates or utensils thoroughly
- change and wash tea-towels and hand towels regularly
- be considerate of others; leave the area tidy and wipe down surfaces
- clean shelves in refrigerator if spills occur
- wipe up spills on floor immediately.
Workstation hygiene
- keep surfaces clean and free of clutter
- wipe down keyboard and mouse regularly
- clean your phone and tablet regularly
- if placing bags or other objects on the floor, keep them away from foot traffic areas
- if using a hot desk, please think of others and make sure it is tidy and clean before leaving.