UN HR Return to the duty station and/or workplace in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic
Return to the duty station and/or workplace in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic
Human Resources Policy Guidance for all duty stations other than New York Headquarters where alternate working arrangements were implemented
Version 1 – 23 September 2020
Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker (OxCGRT)
The Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker (OxCGRT) systematically collects information on several different common policy responses that governments have taken to respond to the pandemic on 17 indicators such as school closures and travel restrictions. It now has data from more than 180 countries. The data is also used to inform a ‘Lockdown rollback checklist’ which looks at how closely countries meet four of the six World Health Organisation recommendations for relaxing ‘lockdown’.
WHO official page on COVID-19
Refer to this site for authoritative information on COVID-19, including public advice, country and technical guidance, frequently asked questions, situation reports, and more.
UN official page on COVID-19
The official UN page on COVID-19 response, including a section dedicated to UN personnel.
Information from the UN System
Obtain a high-level overview of how the various entities in the UN System are mobilizing on COVID-19, with links to the various UN offices, field missions, agencies, funds and programmes.
Operating the UN System Under Crisis Conditions - Insights Paper from FOGGS
In early June 2020 FOGGS convened the third in a series of online brainstorming sessions on the UN system’s performance in response to the COVID-19 global emergency. As with the previous two sessions held in April 2020, this session was held under the Chatham House Rule.
Participants included country representatives to the United Nations, current and former international civil servants, other country and regional organization officials, academics and civil society organisers. This Insights Paper attempts to reflect in a concise and structured way some of the many useful ideas put forward during the early June session and follows on the steps of the Discussion Paper entitled “The United Nations and the COVID-19 Global Emergency” and the Action Plan entitled “The UN System and the World Post COVID-19” that resulted from the previous two sessions respectively. All three papers, which should be read in conjunction, are part of a series of consultations held and papers produced under the UN2100 (UN to 100) Initiative of FOGGS, which aims to promote innovative and practical ideas towards a modern, more effective, ethical and people-centered United Nations.
The UN System and COVID-19
Read the other two papers here.
The United Nations and the Covid-19 Global Emergency, April 2020
The UN System and the world post Covid-19, May 2020
Comm 39/20 - 1st May – Labour Day and New FICSA Social media
Watch FICSA President's statement on Labour Day, and the new normal in our working conditions after COVID-19.
Comm 38/20 - NewSpecial Magazine
The latest issue of NewSpecial Magazine features articles and interviews on staying at home, virtues of turning virtual, and several other opinions and articles on COVID-19.
Comm 37/20 - Survey on Staff Arrangements
This important survey includes a question on staff representation in crisis management. The deadline has been extended to 28 of May, and we encourage you to respond!
Comm 25/20 - FICSA letter to Executive Heads
Read FICSA's letter to Executive Heads on COVID-19
Comm 24/20 - COVID-19, working from home, staying healthy and motivated
Read General Secretary Evelyn Cortum's letter to members on how to stay healthy and motivated while working from home
Administrative Guidelines for Offices on the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak
This guideline from the HR Network, provides a template that is further adapted by the various organizations in the UN System. FICSA, together with its sister federations, has proactively contacted the HR Network to provide input on the guidelines, and recommends Staff Associations/Unions to do the same at the organization level as the template gets adopted to each organization's specific circumstances.
Administrative guidelines and FAQs on human resources, finance and travel matters due to the COVID-19 outbreak
Contains guidelines both for the UN System from the HR Network and CEB, as well as guidelines for the UN Secretariat that may be adapted to your own organizations
WHO guidance on return to workplace
This high level document provides the authoritative guidelines for countries and organizations for use in the workplace. It covers carrying out a workplace risk assessment and outlines measures for all workplaces in the areas of hand and respiratory hygiene; physical distancing; reduction and management of work-related travel; regular environmental cleaning and disinfection; risk communication, training and education; and management of people with COVID-19 or their contacts. There are also specific measures for workplaces and jobs at medium and high risk. In addition, the guidance provides an overview of the rights, duties and responsibilities of workers and employers, as well as advice on developing action plans for COVID-19 prevention and mitigation.
Return to workplace policy draft - IAEA
FICSA is sharing the return to workplace policies that its members are working on, in order to spread and share best practices, as offices began to consider its strategy to reopen. Policy documents are practical considerations, based on high level guidance from WHO and local authorities.
Return to workplace - Guidelines and information resources shared by WHO
FICSA is sharing the return to workplace policies that its members are working on, in order to spread and share best practices, as offices began to consider its strategy to reopen. Policy documents are practical considerations, based on high level guidance from WHO and local authorities.
Return to workplace guidelines - United Nations Office in Geneva (UNOG)
FICSA is sharing the return to workplace policies that UN organizations are working on, in order to spread and share best practices, as offices began to consider its strategy to reopen. Policy documents are practical considerations, based on high level guidance from WHO and local authorities.
Return to workplace - Information resources shared by SCBD Montreal
You can find a collection of guidelines, information materials and articles curated by SCBD that may inform you further on this topic.
Return to workplace guidelines - UNAIDS Geneva HQ
Safely back to UNAIDS Headquarters - Framework for Phase 1
Return to workplace guidelines - UNHCR Geneva HQ
An interactive guide to prepare offices as part of COVID-19 response
UN Secretary General letter to all Staff
UN Secretary General's open letter to all staff dated 17 April 2020.
UN WebTV collection of videos on COVID-19
Including statements from UN Secretary General, WHO Director General and other Executive Heads and senior officials in the UN System.
Listen to COVID-19 impact on International Administrative Law from Think Foley's on Apple Podcasts
Dr Gulati discusses the potential impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on International Administrative Law. Discussing case law from various international administrative tribunals, Rishi sheds light on the key legal issues that international organisations and their employees should take into account when making decisions pertaining to employee rights in times of great stress.
If you would like access to accompanying paper mentioned in this podcast, contact Dr Gulati directly on rishi.gulati@vicbar.com.au
ILO - Practical Guide on Teleworking during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond
The purpose of the Guide is to provide practical and actionable recommendations for effective teleworking that are applicable to a broad range of actors; to support policymakers in updating existing policies; and to provide a flexible framework through which both private enterprises and public sector organizations can develop or update their own teleworking policies and practices. The Guide also includes a number of case examples regarding how employers and policymakers have been handling teleworking during the COVID-19 pandemic and addresses the lessons learned from the recent months that are relevant for the future of teleworking arrangements beyond the pandemic; and a list of available tools and resources.
UN HR Portal - Benefits of Flexible Working Arrangements
Flexible working arrangements (FWA) have become part of the modern workplace. Research shows that FWAs bring considerable advantages to organizations, staff and supervisors
Managing work-related psychosocial risks during the COVID-19 pandemic
The purpose of this guide is to provide employers and managers with key elements to consider when assessing psyhcosocial risks and implementing preventive measures to protect the health and
well-being of workers in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 MEDICAL EVACUATION (MEDEVAC) FRAMEWORK FOR UN PERSONNEL
The safety and well-being of UN personnel are paramount. Accordingly, the Secretary-General has called for the development of a Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) Framework covering all UN personnel and their eligible dependents, no matter where they are located.
Special Measures for Post Adjustment and Place to Place Survey - ICSC Circular ICSC/CIRC/GEN/05-2020
Refer to this ICSC circular ICSC/CIRC/GEN/05/2020 with special measures to mitigate the negative impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic on post adjustment classifications of group II duty stations.
Available support resources for managers and staff members with families during COVID-19
This overview document captures all resources available within the UN Secretariat, and the UN System, for managers and staff members alike.
WFP's platform on travel restrictions
At a time of border closures, travel restrictions and airline cancellations, this linked platform, provides updated country-by-country information on travel related restrictions and airline operations around the world. Based on multiple sources including IATA (International Air Transport Association), International SOS, Foreign Ministry advisories, open-source media and WFP itself, the platform serves as an easily accessible resource providing guidance to travelers, at a time of increasingly restricted travel. The platform is being consistently updated by WFP staff on a daily basis; however, in view of the rapidly evolving situation, the platform serves only as a guidance resource.
