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Two in five university staff anxious about returning to in-person working, UCU finds

TWO in five university staff are anxious about returning to in-person working according to a new University and College Union (UCU) Scotland report.

Its research suggests there is staff support for a cautious start to the new term.

With nearly 1,000 responses across the country, 76 per cent reported an increase in workload last year, 86.5 per cent want better ventilation on campus and 78.5 per cent support the continued wearing of face coverings.

These safety considerations, on top of the added workload, left three quarters of staff reporting their anxiety levels had increased during the pandemic, while 41 per cent said they felt some anxiety about returning to normal.

UCU Scotland official Mary Senior said the report “underlines the need for a cautious, safety-first start to the new academic year.”

She added: “The teaching and learning environment for students depends upon the people delivering that, so it is in employers’ interests to support their staff at this time.”

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