COVID-19 (coronavirus) advice for the UQ community - STAFF - Working from home - About UQ

Working from home

Do I need to update my working location in MyAurion?

Yes, we need to know who is on campus and who is not in case of a safety incident. Staff who have a combination of working from home arrangements and working from campus arrangements will also need to update their working location in MyAurion.

All WFH arrangements should be self-recorded in MyAurion by the staff member.

The instructions for registering approved COVID-19 working from home arrangements in MyAurion are available here.

If a staff member is continuing to split their work arrangements by working from home for part of the week and on campus the other part, the arrangements will need to be recorded in the comments field (details can include daily, hourly or weekly arrangements).

My supervisor has approved me to work from home. What do I need to know?

If you are working from home, your supervisor will be in regular contact to ensure staff are kept informed; workloads and outputs are reviewed and support is provided as required.

Your employment terms and conditions, University policies, and relevant workplace legislation still apply when working from home. See Telecommuting PPL 5.55.11 Telecommuting. See Queensland Government - Health and safety for working from home.

If you are working from home, you are still covered by worker's compensation while performing University work.

Safety Note - COVID-19: Looking after your health and well-being (PDF, 84.2 KB)

Safety Note - COVID-19: keeping safe and well when working from home (PDF, 118.6 KB)

Can I claim mobile phone, internet and home phone expenses while working from home?

If you use your own phones or internet for work purposes, you may be able to claim a deduction if you:

Paid for these costs and
Have records to support your claims.

If you use your phone for internet for both work and private use, you will need to work out the percentage that reasonably relates to your work use.

Further details can be found on the Australian Taxation Office | Home office expenses calculator.

Can I request to change my working hours, days, or work pattern?

Continuing and fixed-term professional staff can request a change to work hours, days or work pattern through my.UQ. You must discuss your request with your supervisor. Your supervisor will need to consider your request and the impact on the organisational unit's operations.

Many professional staff at UQ must work within a standard spread of hours. If you initiate a change to your work hours or days beyond the spread of hours applicable to your role under The University of Queensland Enterprise Agreement 2018-2021, your new arrangement will be considered ordinary time and paid at ordinary rates (penalty rates are not applicable).

Changing your work hours, days or work pattern may impact your leave entitlements. For more information:

talk to your HR Client Services team
read the Hours of Work and Flexible Work Arrangements Policies [5.55].

Instructions to complete your request can be found here. Please ensure that if you are working from home due to COVID-19, you have registered the details in MyAurion.

I am working from home and I believe I have suffered a work related injury. Do I have to report this?

Yes – all injuries that occur during the course of work must be reported through UQSafe Incident. If you are working from home this is deemed a workplace under the Work Health and Safety Act 2001 and there is a requirement that all injuries/illnesses are reported if they are work-related. You should advise your supervisor as soon as practicable.

If you require medical treatment or cannot work, you are entitled to submit a Workers Compensation Claim. Each claim for compensation is assessed on a case by case basis, in accordance with the legislation.