Can I request access to an absent employee's account?
To ensure work can be managed when staff are unexpectedly absent or leave, managers should ensure:
- Shared mailboxes or helplines are used for managing enquiries
- Relevant non-sensitive files are stored in appropriate shared locations
- Staff produce handover notes before they leave
- An out-of-office message is set up before the member of staff leaves (we can put one in place if the member of staff is unexpectedly absent)
If a manager needs access to an absent employee’s or ex-employee’s IT account to take over their duties, they should ask their HR Advisor to obtain consent from the employee or ex-employee. A mutually acceptable compromise may be agreed if consent is not gained. Requests for IT account access are reviewed and are subject to approval by HR.
If a research group requires access to data that a colleague had before they left, they should contact the colleague’s line manager to make this request.