Advice for staff stranded abroad

If you are unable to return to work as scheduled (either from annual leave or from University business), and if you have not done so already, you should notify your line manger of your absence, your present contact details and, as the picture becomes clearer, the date of your expected return.  You should, of course, let your line manger know of any teaching or other important commitments that might need to be rescheduled.

In the meantime, you should follow the advice offered by your airline, tour operator or government organisation in respect of returning home.

Advice for students stranded abroad

If you have been unable to return to the University for the start of term, and if you have not done so already, you should contact your school as soon as possible to confirm the reason for your absence.  Thereafter, you should keep the school informed of your expected date of return.  If you do not have your school's contact details to hand, you should e-mail your details to Daksha Chavda (d.chavda@adm.leeds.ac.uk). 

You should in any case follow the advice offered by your airline, tour operator or government organisation in respect of returning home.  (In some cases where students are abroad on fieldtrips or other University business, arrangements for repatriation might be made through the school or faculty.)

The University will ensure that any students delayed as a result of the disruption to air traffic will not be disadvantaged academically.  Any student absent from the University because of the disruption will be classed as absent with good cause and will be treated in the same way as a student who is absent through illness.

Your school will advise you of any alternative arrangements required for the submission of assessed coursework;  and, where possible, for the rescheduling of any missed tuition.   If, however, you believe that your learning or revision opportunities have been unreasonably disrupted, you should bring your concerns to the attention of your school so that your mitigating circumstances can be taken into account in the assessment of your work.   (In this connection, you are advised to keep records which prove that your absence was due to cancelled or delayed international flights.)

Insurance

As a general rule, staff and students travelling on University business will be covered by the University's travel insurance policy:  the insurer will in general cover claims for reasonable travel and accommodation costs arising from the disruption of your trip.  You should contact the Insurance Office (a.l.mccunniff@adm.leeds.ac.uk) on your return to Leeds.

Further advice

Any specific questions may be referred to your school or service, or to David Wardle (d.wardle@adm.leeds.ac.uk).