I hope you are all doing well. I’m reaching out to say how grateful I am to all Facilities staff for your commitment and perseverance in adapting to our current realities with COVID-19. Whether you are working from home to deliver important services or working on campus to ensure that our infrastructure is properly monitored, maintained and cleaned or ongoing construction projects are managed, please know that your contributions are crucial to the campus community.
No matter where you are working, I would ask that you continue to follow some important practices. You’ve probably heard these a few times already but I think they are worth repeating:
- Adhere to physical distancing and good hygiene — Follow the direction of the Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, and diligently follow the practice of physical distancing. Stay home as much as possible. Stay at least 2 metres apart from others when in public or at work. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water using the proper handwashing technique. The better we follow these recommended practices the faster our chance of returning to normal.
- Stay connected — Please continue to communicate regularly with your supervisors and colleagues. This is important for your well-being and also to ensure that we stay focused on priorities. Keep an eye out for the VPFO Communications’ updates on Monday to stay up to date on VPFO’s coordinated efforts with UBC in planning and responding to the current situation. While much attention needs to be given to our COVID-19 response, work must also continue on important initiatives such as Workday and Planon implementation and development of key building projects. Please reach out if you feel disconnected. We are all in this together.
- Remember safe work practices — It’s important that everyone continues to follow safe work procedures. We’re all working under new and different circumstances in some way, whether on rotating schedules, working at home, or with new tasks. This makes it even more critical to be mindful of safety. Specific procedures have been developed for work request risk assessment, sharing of vehicles, and home office ergonomics. Cyber safety is important when connecting on-line from home. Please try to take some time to catch up on necessary safety and cybersecurity training through the Safety & Risk Services training portal.
- Take care of yourself and your loved ones — This is a difficult time for everyone. Please stay positive and focus on your emotional and physical well-being. The UBC HR website provides a good resource for supports that you may find helpful. UBC Athletics & Recreation has provided a useful guide of exercises that you can do at home to stay physically active.
Thank you all for your outstanding response and resolve in these challenging and uncertain times. If we stick together and focus on the things we can control, we will be okay. Stay healthy, have a Happy Easter, and give a cheer every evening at 7:00 p.m. for our health care practitioners!
John Metras,
Associate Vice-President, Facilities