The University has an online course and self-assessment available for staff to use called Healthy Working Plus that takes around 30 minutes to complete.
This programme will help you to identify areas where you can improve your working habits, adjust your workstation layout and improve your wellbeing. It is suitable if you use the same workstation every day on campus or at home or use a mixture of both.
As you go through the modules, you should check and adjust your workstation (for example, chair, monitor and so on) as appropriate. Risks can be minimised by taking the few simple steps detailed in this course and completing your healthy working plan
How to access Healthy Working Plus
All new staff will receive an automatic email, with a link to the course, asking for completion within one week of receiving the email.
Any member of staff experiencing discomfort should:
- Advise their line manager
- Email healthandsafetyenquiries@gcu.ac.uk and copy their line manager. Where appropriate, an email invitation to Healthy Working Plus will be sent to you asking for completion within one week of receiving the email
- Complete the course and self-assessment, make any necessary adjustments and complete their healthy working plan.
Where the issue has not been resolved, an assessor will review the plan and either provide further guidance or carry out a follow-up virtual or face-to-face assessment as appropriate. Any recommendations will be forwarded to the relevant line manager to be taken forward locally as appropriate.
As an interim measure, where a department wishes to roll out the course and self-assessment to their staff, please email healthandsafetyenquiries@gcu.ac.uk.
Log in details
To log on to the course and assessment, enter your normal User ID and set up a new password if not already done so – please follow the GCU password advice to ensure you create a strong password. Select Healthy Working Plus to run the course.
If you cannot log in, your details may not be in the system. Please email healthandsafetyenquiries@gcu.ac.uk.
If you cannot remember your password and have locked yourself out of the system (this will occur after three attempts), then please email worksforcesystems@gcu.ac.uk.
If an optometrist confirms a vision issue specifically related to display screen equipment (DSE) use—such as a defect at typical screen-viewing distance—the University will cover the cost of basic frames and the required lens correction, including any special lenses. If the staff member opts for more expensive frames or upgrades, they must pay the additional cost. Where an eye test fee applies, the University will also cover this for staff classified as DSE users.
Glasgow Campus Vision Centre
Staff based at the Glasgow Campus can access an eye or eyesight test through the Vision Centre located on campus. A selection of basic frames is available for staff to choose from, and the cost of both the test and eligible glasses will be charged to the relevant School or Department. Departments will also receive reminders every three years for staff who are due a re-test. The Vision Centre can be contacted on 0141 331 3377.
GCU London and Glasgow
Staff at the Glasgow Campus and GCU London can use their own optometrist and must agree the arrangements for payment and/or time off with their line manager in advance of arranging an appointment.
The costs associated with DSE use can normally be reclaimed through the University’s expenses process. Staff should retain both the prescription and the receipt, as these will be required when submitting an expense claim. Any vision issue that relates specifically to DSE use must be clearly recorded on the prescription and provided to the employing department.
Employees should submit their claims via the expenses claim system .
A copy of the guidance to the regulations can be downloaded free from the HSE website.
