Health and Safety COVID-19 Updates

COVID-19 Updates

For all the latest staff communications, updates and information go to our Nest COVID-19 – Information and the latest updates page, which is now located here: Nest > Our Unitec > COVID-19 – Information and the latest updates.

Staff support: need someone to talk to?

Here at Unitec, your manager, team, and Human Resources Business Partner, as well our leaders, Health and Safety Advisors, and Sustainability and Wellbeing team are all part of your support network.

You can also access our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP). EAP is an independent counselling service that can help you with counselling, personal and legal advice and finance management, not just your career and work related issues. It is available to all our staff and appointments can be made online or via phone by calling 0800 327 669 anytime. If it’s your first time using EAP, and you want to make sure that the professional you speak with has the specialist knowledge you need, we recommend booking by phone.

Every staff member is eligible for three free one-hour sessions, then the counsellor can recommend additional sessions if needed. The service is completely confidential. Unitec is not provided with names from EAP, only case numbers and the number of sessions used.

NEED SOMEONE TO TALK TO RIGHT NOW?

Free call or text 1737 and click here to find out more.

Recommendations for the safe use of laptops

Limit usage time:

Have a break away from your screen every 30 minutes to move, stretch and give your eyes a rest.
Avoid using laptop on a high surface as this will result in elevated shoulders cause shoulder and upper back pain.

For extended periods of laptop use:

Where possible, use a separate keyboard and mouse (Wireless are the best option).
Take regular breaks.
Raise the height of the laptop screen with a laptop stand, raiser or use books!
Adjust the font size if needed. You can do this by right clicking on your desk top and select Display Settings, increase the percentage under Scale and Layout.
Position your laptop to avoid glare and reflection on the computer screen.
Set up your workstation as recommended in this video how to work more ergonomically at home in this NYPost article

Ergonomic Checklist

Desk-fit:

The following links will help ensure you’re set up correctly at your desk, whether working from home or in your usual workplace. If you do experience some discomfort, there’s also some suggested stretches, but contact H&S at safety@unitec.ac.nz if you need any further advice.