Soul
Happiness and contentment come in part from achieving a good work / life harmony. Harmony comes from knowing that you are supported and that you have the flexibility to be present and be the best that you can be. In this section you will find links that can help you in those aims.
University Chaplaincy
The University Chaplaincy is here to provide a place where students and staff are welcomed to reflect, explore and express faith and spirituality.
It is a place to pray, to meditate and to meet others. It also offers help with spiritual, ethical and moral concerns. Chaplains of various faiths are available to anyone irrespective of their religious or spiritual beliefs.
Flexi-Time & Flexible Working
The Flexi-Time Scheme allows employees in staff grades 1-5, within the rules of the scheme, reasonable scope to vary their start and finish times to suit their personal circumstances and business needs, so long as they fulfil their overall commitment to work an average of 37 hours per week over a four week period. The scheme works two ways and therefore employees may on occasion be required to work longer hours to meet organisational need.
All eligible employees have the right to ask that their employer consider their proposal for flexible working conditions.
Staff should note that they have the right to request flexible working and not an automatic right to alter their work patterns in this way. However, the University takes all such requests seriously and is committed to following best practice in this area and to helping staff to balance work and home life.
Leave and absence
All º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ employees are given generous holiday allowance, which includes UK statutory bank holidays and additional leave during University closure periods, which is in addition to the regular leave allowance for staff members.
Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
The Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) provides confidential unlimited support on any matter that might be of concern to you - from mental health and wellbeing, through to legal, relationship and money matters.
Help is given by accredited counsellors or information specialists, depending on whether the need is for emotional or practical support.
The services is free and available to members of staff across the University 24 hours a day, 365 days a year either through an online portal or a telephone helpline.
Further information and access details can be found on the EAP page on the HR website.
Staff support groups
The University is strongly committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and supports all groups of staff. A number of staff support groups have been established by Human Resources and Organisational Development so that members can support each other, raise any concerns and influence the University’s People Strategy.
Trans and Non-binary support sessions for staff
This service is led by Lisa Vine, an LGBT+ advocate, consultant and trainer based in º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ, with seven years of experience supporting transgender and non-binary children and young people. Lisa is a º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ alumna and previous Chair of the º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Students’ Union's LGBT+ Association.
A confidential and safe space, these sessions offer support and advice for transgender and non-binary staff, as well as those questioning their gender identity. It provides a space and time, as well as a friendly face and a listening ear, for staff to access support and advice in a way that it right for them. As just a few examples, we cater to staff needing specific advice or support regarding social and/or medical transition or disclosing their identity to others. Parents and carers can also access the service for help with those in their care.
Appointments are 50 minutes and are available 12pm-1pm every other Wednesday during term time. In person appointments are held in the quiet room in the Centre of Faith and Spirituality within the Edward Herbert Building, or you can choose an online appointment on Microsoft Teams.
Reward and recognition
We’re a firm believer that employees should be recognised for their hard work and contribution to the University’s growth and success. Our reward schemes help us deliver on this belief.
Level 2 Disability Employer
The University is committed to the government’s national ‘Two Ticks Positive about Disabled People’ scheme. This means the University is committed to taking actions in two themes under level 2 of the scheme, which are:
- Getting the right staff with disabilities
- Keeping and developing our staff with disabilities
Workload model
This Agreement is between º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ and º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ and College Union (LUCU) and came into operation from the academic year 2005-06, was updated in 2009 and again in 2013. It applies to all schools of the University. The University and LUCU seek to promote a congenial and healthy working environment and to engender trust and co-operation between colleagues. Good management at school level is one key to achieving these objectives; colleagues who work in a school in which they feel they have an important role, are part of a team, are fairly treated, are part of the decision making process and work in an environment which is friendly and constructive, will work more efficiently and with less stress.