Christmas closure 2021: all you need to know

The University of Reading will close for the festive period from 24 December 2021 and will reopen on 4 January 2022.

If you have been working on campus this term, please switch off all non-essential electrical equipment and make sure your workspace is safe and secure before you leave:

• Secure all windows, close blinds and lock all doors. Where possible, move valuable items away from windows.
• Lock away as many valuable items as possible (including keys) and bank all cash.
• Thieves can be deterred by items that have been marked in some way, such as an address label or UV pen marking. It may not prevent theft, but can help deter potential theft if an item bears some kind of identification mark.
• Building managers should ensure alarms are in good working order and set for the duration of the closure period.
• Remove all equipment from University vehicles before parking them in car park 5. Please leave vehicle keys with Security, and ensure they are collected by 09:00, 4 January 2022.
• Update Security with any changes to your emergency call-out arrangements.

Accessing buildings over the closure period

If you must come into work over the closure period, please inform Security when you arrive and when you leave. You must give Security prior notice if you intend to come in - no access will be granted without this. 

Please ensure you familiarise yourself with our Health & Safety policies on working outside of normal hours (Safety Code of Practice 7) and working in low occupancy buildings during COVID-19 (Safety Note 75).

You may also wish to check the COVID-19 Staff FAQs for the latest COVID-19 recommendations.

Campus services

You can find details of how student services will operate during the closure period on the Student Services Over the Festive Period webpage.  Campus services and facilities, including the Library, study spaces, some catering outlets and student support services, will reopen as planned from 4 January, subject to the relevant government restrictions in place at the time.

Key things to note

• The IT Service Desk in the Library will close at 17:00 on 23 December – 09:00 on 4 January 2022.
• The Library will close from 23 December to 3 January.
• All cafés across the campuses will be closed from 24 December 2021 and will reopen on 4 January 2022.
• Co-op is currently closed for refurbishment and will open in the new year.

Out of Office message

To make things simpler before you finish up for Christmas, we have prepared an Out of Office message you may wish to use. Feel free to tweak it to fit your own circumstance, such as being on annual leave before the closure officially begins or working on a limited capacity.

Thank you for your email. The University is closed for Christmas between 22 December 2020 and 4 January 2021.

I will not be checking emails during this time and will respond to messages on my return.

If urgent, please contact [INSERT RELEVANT CONTACT DETAILS].

If your enquiry is a request under Freedom of Information or the Environmental Information Regulations then please redirect your email to imps@reading.ac.uk. 

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

[YOUR NAME]

Useful contacts and links

• Security: emergency calls - 0118 378 6300. Non-emergency calls - 0118 378 7799
• Extension 7799 (internal) and 0118 931 6300 (external calls and for emergencies). Email securitycontrol@reading.ac.uk. Security are based on the ground floor of Whiteknights House (north entrance).
• Health and Safety Services: Telephone 0118 378 8888. Email safety@reading.ac.uk. All health and safety policies are available on this page, including guidance specific to COVID-19.
• Estates: Telephone 0118 378 7000. Email estates@reading.ac.uk. For emergencies please contact Security (see above).
• Employee Assistance Programme: Find details of the programme, including 24/7 support on offer, on this page. Telephone 0800 085 1376. Email assist@cic-eap.co.uk.
• COVID-19 Staff FAQs - see the latest COVID-19 guidance for University staff.