In addition, the Minister of Employment and Labour promulgated regulations compelling employers to manage COVID-19 in the workplace by:
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implementing administrative arrangements (e.g. risk assessment, health and safety committees and appointment of a compliance manager);
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ensuring physical distancing (workplace reorganisation and PPEs); and
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implementing measures to ensure employee health and safety (screening/testing and management of outcomes, sanitisers/disinfectants, cloth masks and ventilation).
To this end, the University designated Compliance Officers to oversee the implementation of COVID-19 plans and adherence to standards of hygiene and health protocols:
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Valencia Benjamin – Occupational Health.
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Yanga Gibe – Occupational Health and Safety.
Furthermore, the University established a multi-faceted Coronavirus Task Team (CTT), under the leadership of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: People and Operations Lebogang Hashatse, designated to co-ordinate all activities relating to containing the spread of COVID-19 at the University.
This work is performed under the close supervision of the Healthcare Committee, a sub-committee of MANCO, chaired by Professor Lungile Pepeta.
Workplace Preparedness - Phased Return-to-Work Plan
Under Level 5 only essential services worked from the campuses. From 1 May, in alignment with Level 4 regulations, only certain categories of employees returned to campuses in a phased but restricted manner using the principle of one-third of employees on campuses at any given time, to enable physical distancing in the workplace.
Under Level 3, a phased, but restricted return for academic activity will be allowed from 1 June.
To this end, the University has developed a return-to-work plan in line with the government’s coronavirus five alert levels.
The plan is informed by the University’s commitment to finish the 2020 Academic year. The success of the plan depends on the agility of the University’s employees in adopting alternative digital ways of working.
The return-to-work plan provides the platform to regulate policies and practices to be in alignment with the “new working norms”.
Campus preparations
A small dedicated team of essential and critical employees is, as shared, already preparing campuses for a staggered return to work of staff as the lockdown restrictions are eased towards level 3
During the month of May, the University is in the process of providing PPE to these staff members, mainly from Support Services (Protection Services, Cleaning, Maintenance, technical ICT Services).
Prevention measures
Measures to support disease prevention, disease surveillance (in the form of screening) and disease management (quarantine and isolation after a COVID-19 positive diagnosis) are also in place, as is a series of training interventions to ensure a safe environment.
For more details about the plans, please see the accompanying attachments:
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COVID- 19 Compliance Plans;
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Phased Return-To-Work Plans;
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Remote Working Guidelines.
The information has details on vulnerable employees, working remotely, health measures etc.
Staff are encouraged to be on the lookout for more information and interventions with regard to health and safety of staff and protocols for working remotely.
Stay connected
In the interim, please continue to stay connected with your line managers on a daily basis, particularly from a wellness perspective, and also as they seek to operationalise the Return-To-Work Plan.
For additional queries and concerns not captured in the supporting documents, please contact hr@mandela.ac.za
These are unprecedented times. We remain committed to supporting all staff through these changes with regular communication and wellness advice to help each of us understand, prepare and adapt to a new way of working, and indeed lifestyle.
Ms Ntoza Bam
Executive Director: Human Resources Workstream
Coronavirus Task Team