Guidance for staff

Following the developing situation around Covid-19 and to prioritise the health and wellbeing of the RCM community, we are following Government instructions and have closed our campus buildings until further notice. We have no confirmed cases of Covid-19 at the RCM but we are committed to safeguarding our community and the wider public.

We are closing all College buildings, meaning that students should not come to College to practise or socialise. All members of staff who can work from home should do so. We remain digitally operational with remote delivery of lessons and professional services.

Please be patient with us as we work hard to facilitate this change. By following the social distancing policies that are being put in place around the world, we will all do our part to limit the spread of coronavirus.

Latest advice from the UK authorities

We are a highly creative and adaptable community of exceptional students, faculty, and staff and we have every confidence that we will successfully continue to deliver the highest quality teaching and learning.

RCM buildings & services

• All campus buildings are closed until further notice.
• All teaching is now taking place online and staff should not travel to College for lessons.
• All staff who can work remotely should do so with immediate effect. There are some exceptions to this and line managers will be in touch with you directly.
• The Royal College of Music Library is closed until further notice, but the full range of online library services will continue to be available.
• Student Services will be providing support remotely until further notice.

Learning & teaching

Academic classes

• We have moved to online learning until further notice.
• For academic teaching, please check email for information from your Head of Programme or Module Coordinator regarding the delivery of your class content.
• Faculty classes are cancelled.

One-to-one teaching (principal, second & related studies)

• Professors should deliver lessons digitally via Microsoft Teams or similar means.
• Professors will receive further advice directly from ICT on how best to enable digital learning.

Performance programme

• All performances, rehearsals and masterclasses from now until further notice have been cancelled or delayed until we can reschedule them.

Impact of operational changes on your work

Professional services staff

• All staff who can work remotely should now do so. Please liaise with your line manager and refer to information from ICT to ensure you have everything you need to work effectively from home.
• Some colleagues are better able to work remotely than others – we accept and understand this and would ask colleagues simply to operate as best they are able. You will continue to receive your contractual pay.
• If you were due to receive external visitors to the College, you will need to cancel the visit and any planned meetings or events. All performances, rehearsals and masterclasses from now until further notice have been cancelled or delayed until we can reschedule them.
• HR has produced some helpful guidance on remote working, accessible via Muse.

Academic staff

• We are moving to online learning with immediate effect so that you can continue to teach without coming into the College or if you are required to self-isolate. Professors will receive advice directly from ICT on how best to enable this. You will continue to receive your contractual pay.
• If you were due to receive external visitors to the College, you will need to cancel the visit and any planned meetings or events. All performances, rehearsals and masterclasses from now until further notice have been cancelled or delayed until we can reschedule them.
• HR has produced some helpful guidance on remote working, accessible via Muse.

Casual workers

• Casual workers are engaged across the RCM in a variety of roles. We will honour our commitment to these members of staff and pay at the normal rate of pay anyone who has been engaged and confirmed to work for the period up to and including 30 April 2020.
• If you have confirmed the engagement of a casual worker during this time, please ensure that their details are sent to RCM Payroll in the normal way.
• For the time being we will only be able to accept scanned personal details and HMRC forms. In the current exceptional circumstances, we are also accepting scanned right to work documents. Paperwork should be sent by email to humanresources@rcm.ac.uk.

New members of staff

• Your employment with the RCM will be effective from the date specified in your contract of employment.
• You should liaise with your line manager to ensure that your details are entered onto the RCM systems to allow you to start working remotely and ensure payment of your salary can take place.
• HR has produced some helpful guidance on remote working, accessible via Muse.

Parents of children affected by school closures

• Individuals affected by the closure of schools should have a discussion with their line manager and determine their home/remote working arrangements, perhaps discussing a variation in when and how they work. It may be that some work may be possible across the evenings rather than during the day, for example. You will still receive your contractual pay.

Pay in event of illness or caregiving

Travel

• We expect staff to avoid all non-essential travel, whether for work or for other reasons.
• All staff are advised to consult the latest advice from the UK authorities before planning or undertaking any travel.

Support

Supporting students who are worried about coronavirus

• We know that many staff will be approached by students with concerns about coronavirus. If a student raises a concern, please ask them to follow the advice on this page.
• If they have any questions, they should contact Student Services at studentservices@rcm.ac.uk.

Supporting colleagues who are worried about coronavirus or working remotely

• If a team member or colleague raises a concern please ask them to follow the advice on this page or speak to Human Resources at humanresources@rcm.ac.uk.
• Whilst working remotely, it is a good idea to keep in contact with team members as much as possible through phone calls and conference calling on platforms such as Microsoft Teams.
• We would encourage staff to interact regularly with their colleagues and speak to their line manager if they are concerned about their mental or physical wellbeing.

Support for you

• If you are concerned about coronavirus or worried about friends and family, please do not hesitate to contact Human Resources for advice and support at humanresources@rcm.ac.uk.
• Staff can access mental health support via Confidential Care

Prejudice connected with coronavirus

• The Royal College of Music has a zero-tolerance policy towards racism. If you witness or experience bullying or harassment, your voice will be heard and taken seriously.
• Staff can contact Human Resources for advice and support at humanresources@rcm.ac.uk.

Further questions

If we have not answered your question please email coronavirus@rcm.ac.uk.