Frequently asked questions

Yes, for any type of help or support at UOC centres, you must make an appointment. You can check the services available by clicking on the Horaris i serveis link for the centre you want to visit.

 

The MECUIDA Plan includes a series of exceptional measures that have been approved in response to the current health emergency and that will remain in effect until 31 May 2021.
 
Employees who evidence duties of care with respect to their spouse or common-law partner, or with respect to relatives up to the second degree of consanguinity, have the right to apply for their working hours to be adapted and/or reduced by up to 100%, with the consequent proportional decrease in salary, as a consequence of the following exceptional circumstances related to the measures required to prevent the communitarian transmission of COVID-19:
 
- In the event an employee needs to be present in order to care for their spouse or common-law partner, or for a relative up to the second degree of consanguinity, who, due to age, illness or disability, requires personal and direct care as a direct consequence of COVID-19.
- In the event decisions taken by the government authorities related to COVID-19 lead to the closure of schools or any other type of centre that provides care or support services to the individual requiring care.
- When the person who has previously been responsible for providing direct care or support to an employee’s spouse or relative up to the second degree of consanguinity is no longer able to do so for justified causes related to COVID-19.
 
This individual right must be justified, reasonable and proportionate in relation to the circumstances of the UOC and the adjustment and reduction of working hours.

Given the current situation and as an exceptional measure, we have extended teleworking to everyone all the time, but we wish to prioritize a period when we should coincide with our colleagues. During shorter working days this period is from 9 am to 2 pm. If your circumstances mean you can't coincide with your colleagues during the period set, you need to talk to your supervisor to find the alternative that best adapts to your tasks and personal situation.

Further information

In economic terms, medical leaves due to COVID-19-related illness or isolation are treated the same as work accidents.

Further information

The UOC is responsible for the safety of workers who are not employed directly by the UOC but must carry out their work on UOC premises (the law as per Spain's Royal Decree 171/2004,  which governs obligations relating to the coordination of different companies' operations in the same workplace, to guarantee the health and safety of workers).
 
Therefore, the same demands made of staff are also made of external workers; currently this means that external workers should be avoiding working at UOC buildings.
 
If external workers are able to do their work remotely, they should do so while also remaining constantly in touch with their supervisors. 
 
Services provided on-site that are not strictly essential should be postponed or minimized, as best befits each situation. 
 
In the few cases where the UOC establishes that some minimum level service is absolutely necessary, any workers who represent some form of risk or could be endangering their health must not come to work at the UOC.
 
Members of UOC staff who are responsible for services provided by third-party suppliers must inform their providers of the measures we are taking and must tell the Health and Safety Service which external workers will continue to access UOC buildings.
 

In exercise of our university's autonomy and social responsibility, the Executive Board has decided to extend the policy of prioritizing e-working throughout the 2020/21 academic year. 
 
If the social and health circumstances change or if the authorities introduce new regulations, we will review and update our measures. 

 

The UOC has activated a protocol for loans of computer hardware and ergonomic furniture to help staff perform their work comfortably and efficiently during this exceptional period of normalized teleworking.

People who have asked to collect loan materials or need to collect personal materials that are essential for carrying out their work (books, documents, etc.) may also visit the reception areas of Tibidabo and 22@ buildings by appointment on a specific date and at a specific time.

People who go to work at UOC premises are provided with surgical masks, and hand sanitizers are distributed throughout the buildings. Wearing masks, washing your hands regularly and maintaining physical distancing are compulsory requirements. Desks are assigned individually and are not to be shared. The desks also respect the minimum safety distances with respect to walkways and other people. Masks must be worn at all times except when eating or drinking.
 
Use of the stairs is similarly also advised to access upper and lower floors rather than the use of lifts. If you need to use the lift, single occupancy is advised. Avoid sharing equipment and devices with other people. We also request that you facilitate the cleaning and disinfection team's tasks by clearing your workspace to leave it in the same condition as you found it on arrival.
 
A periodic disinfection protocol will also be activated.

Use individual means of transport (bicycle, motorbike, car or walking) wherever possible.
 
If you travel by bicycle or motorbike, helmets fitted with visors should be used. Alternatively, a mask should be worn with any other kind of helmet. Gloves should be worn when travelling on shared-use motorcycles and bicycles.
 
Remember that the safety distance for bicycles and scooters in motion is 20 metres.
 
When travelling by car, you do not have to wear a mask when you are alone or with someone you live with (remember, however, that it is mandatory at work). If you are sharing a car with someone you do not live with there must be a maximum of two people per row of seats and all occupants should be wearing a mask.
 
If you do have to use a form of public transport you need to wear a mask and maintain the minimum safety distance of 1.5 to 2 metres on platforms and inside vehicles, even if you meet acquaintances.
 
Try to touch common elements (buttons, bars, doors, seats, glass, etc.) as little as possible.
 
Avoid using lifts, opting instead to use escalators or stairs, keeping a safe distance from other people. If, however, you need to take the elevator, you should not share it with anyone else.
 
When you arrive at work, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water or a hydroalcoholic solution.
 
 

If a course's assessment model calls for a final assessment test, bear in mind that the final tests for the second semester will be held online on six days: 5, 9, 12, 13, 16 and 19 June. 
 
As the time draw nearer, we will assign you a default date for you to take your tests. If the date you have been assigned is not convenient, there will be a period in which you can modify your personal final assessment test schedule.
 
Shortly before the tests take place, detailed information about them will be sent out to students via the usual channels (emails to your UOC mailbox, news posted on the Virtual Campus, etc.). For now, be aware that you will need a computer, an internet connection and a webcam (either built into your PC or separate).

For external internships during the 2020/2021 academic year, we are prioritizing placements that allow for teleworking; where possible, some training activities may take a virtual format.
 
For internships in schools and health centres, students will still do internships on-site unless there are new restrictions that prevent them. If restrictions were to be applied, alternative activities would be set up, ones that would not involve an on-site presence but would help develop the skills to those called for.

Financial help for unexpected circumstances is available for students who are hospitalized due to an accident or illness, and for students who are subject to wrongful dismissal or 'objective dismissal' (related to personal grounds or economic redundancy, but without fault). The following requirements also apply:
 
- The situation must have arisen at least 30 days after the student enrolled.
 
- After hospitalization or dismissal, the student need to notify the UOC within the following 20 days.

Doctoral thesis defences may, temporarily, be carried out online.

In its 13th additional provision and the subsequent notes, Spain's royal decree 11/2020, of 31 March, gave the option of extending employment contracts that stem from the national Science, Technology and Innovation System's funding calls by a period equal to the duration of the current state of emergency. The contracts affected by this royal decree are those that were due to end between 2 April 2020 and 1 April 2021.

Subsequently the Government of Catalonia issued a statement regarding the extension of FI (researcher training) and Beatriu de Pinós contracts, saying it would apply the same conditions as those laid out in the aforementioned royal decree's 13th additional provision.

In light of this, the UOC's Executive Board has likewise decided to extend employment contracts stemming from UOC internal calls by however long the state of emergency lasts, to the same dates as those established by the aforementioned royal decree 11/2020.

This decision represents a significant economic outlay in uncertain times, underlining the UOC's firm belief in backing talent and quality training for researchers, particularly in moments of real difficulty.

Lockdown measures may result in greater vulnerabilities and risks related to violence against women. In Spain, all of the call centres available nationwide (both for Spain and individual autonomous communities) are warning of an upsurge in cases of this nature. 
 
Below are a list of channels you can use to get help or report a case of gender-based violence:
 
1. In Catalonia
• Call 900 900 120 for 24/7 assistance.
• A WhatsApp number (671 778 540) and an email address (900900120@gencat.cat) have also been made available.
• Additionally, the campaign known as "Establiment segur contra la violència masclista" (A safe place to prevent violence against women) has been launched for shop and business owners to help those suffering from violence of this nature who cannot make calls or write text messages themselves.
 
 
2. In the rest of Spain
• The ANAR Foundation can be reached at 900 202 010. If you are a minor and believe that someone you know is the victim of gender-based violence, call this number.
• The Spanish Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality has created a website with support and prevention resources in cases of gender-based violence. 
 
 
3. In countries where the UOC is present
• Colombia: 155 
• Mexico: 800 108 40 53
• Ecuador: 911
• Peru: 100
• Chile 149 or 147
 

An app is operational to reserve a workstation. Anyone needing to work on-site can use the app to request a day, building and work zone, and the app will randomly assign a work zone, complete with desk and floor plan.
 
All UOC staff wishing to access University buildings are required to previously complete an online occupational risk prevention course on COVID-19 and to fill in and sign a sworn statement.