News / The University of Bristol

Bristol University ends some contracts early amid coronavirus outbreak

By Stephen Sumner  Friday Mar 27, 2020

The University of Bristol has taken the “very hard decision” to end the contracts for some workers early amid the coronavirus crisis.

Leaders are currently unable to confirm how many members of staff or which sectors will be affected.

They have apologised and said they will help those workers “as best we can”.

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A University of Bristol spokesperson said: “The university is committed to maintaining as many staff on casual and short-term contracts as possible as we continue to navigate our way through the current and unprecedented situation.

“We will however have to take the very hard decision to end some fixed-term and casual posts early where it is not practical for these roles to work from home, or where the work being undertaken is not essential to the delivery of teaching or research activity.

“We are very sorry as we know how difficult this will be for colleagues who are affected by this decision, and our priority is to support them as best we can through this process, including looking for other current and future employment opportunities across the organisation.”

The university ended all of its lectures, tutorials and seminars on March 18.

From the start of the next term, on April 20, lecturers will be teaching online.

Summer assessments will also be online.

The university has said it will fine students up to £800 for breaching social distancing rules after a small number of

Stephen Sumner is a local democracy reporter for Bristol

Read more: Bristol University students plea for final year exams to be optional amid coronavirus pandemic

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