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New staff - practical information

Welcome to the University of Iceland!

We are delighted to have you join our team and hope you feel comfortable in your new workplace. Here is some useful information to help you settle in more smoothly.

Username and Email

When you start working at UI, you will be assigned a username and email address, which you will use for:

  • Ugla
  • The Smáugla app
  • Email
  • Office 365
  • Internet connection
Employee Card

The employee card gives you access to UI buildings and printers. The card is the property of UI and should only be used by the person to whom it is issued. To request a staff ID card, please contact the Human Resources Office of the relevant faculty.

Orri/Vinnustund

Vinnustund is the time-stamping system used by UI. All staff (excluding academic staff) should use Vinnustund to clock in and out of work. This can be done via Ugla or the mobile apps Smáugla and Smástund.

Tax Card and Private Pension Savings

In order to use your personal discount tax card at HÍ, please see the following instructions:

  • Go to the website www.skattur.is.
  • Log in with an electronic ID. Find the box "Personal discount" on the front page
  • Select "Overview to payers"
  • Press "Download PDF" in the right corner
  • Send the PDF document "Overview of employee" to laun@hi.is  with information on what % of the personal discount you want to use. Also, state your date of arrival in Iceland.
     

If you wish to utilise personal pension savings, you should register UI as your employer with your pension fund.

Unions and Federations

Trade unions and BHM (a federation of 24 member associations) offer various grants, e.g. for gym memberships, health treatments, and professional development. Your union membership will be specified in your employment contract.

Academic Staff

Academic staff includes professors, associate professors, assistant professors, researchers, scholars, and specialists.

Useful Links

International Staff

International Staff Services provides assistance with residence and work permit applications for UI employees, as well as permits for students doing temporary work at the university. They also help register residents from EEA countries in Iceland.

Useful Links

Food
Staff have access to meals, either at reduced prices or with discounts at a variety of eateries on campus. All university buildings have staff break rooms offering coffee, tea and water.
Shared vehicles and staff bikes

The staff of the University of Iceland have access to electric cars and e-bikes for work-related errands during working hours in the capital area. Please read the usage rules carefully.

Social Life

There is a lot happening on the UI campus, and you can take part in a varied social life throughout the academic year, with a range of events and activities advertised in Ugla.

Service Desk
The UI Service Desk at Háskólatorg helps staff and students with a range of practical matters. For example, you can purchase access to the gym, collect keys for the shared car or an electric bike, book classrooms for purposes other than teaching, and get assistance regarding guest accommodation for visiting scholars at Saga.

Transport Agreement

Employees of the University of Iceland who have signed an employment contract with the University and work at least 20% of a full-time position are eligible to enter into a sustainable transport agreement with the University.

By signing the agreement, employees commit to commuting to and from work using environmentally friendly modes of transportation at least twice per week (i.e., 40% of the time). The agreement is valid for one year at a time.

Environmentally friendly transport refers to alternatives to driving a private car, such as walking, cycling (including regular bicycles, e-bikes, or electric scooters), or using public transportation.

Employees who take part in the agreement will receive:

  • Free access to the University Gym.
  • Registration with Strætó, activating a discount in the Klapp app. The employee's contribution is ISK 35,999 (instead of ISK 112,000). When purchasing an annual regional bus pass, it is possible to apply for a reimbursement of ISK 56,100.

Make an agreement

Buy bus cards with the discount

Bus routes 1, 3, 6, 11, 12, and 15 pass through the University campus in Vesturbær. More information is available on the Strætó website.

We hope that this information helps you to settle into your new workplace and that you enjoy working at UI. If you have any questions or need further assistance, do not hesitate to contact us.

Further information and assistance

Division of Human Resources
mannaudur@hi.is

Payroll department
laun@hi.is
Mon-Fri 10:00-15:00
525-4390

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