Our commitment to health and wellbeing

We have a positive employee relations environment with our recognised Trade Unions , University College Union (UCU) and UNISON, who provide guidance and support to staff on a range of employment related matters.

The occupational health service provides independent and professional specialist medical advice to employees and managers on the effect of health at work. Our aim is to encourage and support an environment within the University which helps staff fulfil their potential, irrespective of disability and ill health. We wish to prevent work-related illness and injury, and to assist staff to return to work after sickness absence. 

Occupational Health and Wellbeing offers a number of services to support our staff:  

• Referrals to Occupational Health
• Supporting neurodivergent staff
• Health surveillance
• Disability support for staff
• Pre-employment assessment
• Sickness absence and return to work
• Staff counselling services
• Workplace assessments  

Staff are encouraged to disclose any disabilities or long-term health conditions, to ensure they receive the support they need to carry out their roles and thrive in the workplace.  

We offer 52 weeks' maternity and adoption leave and generous maternity and adoption pay. (subject to terms and conditions within the policy) The non-primary carer may take two weeks' paid paternity leave with the option of up to 26 weeks' additional paternity leave. Parental leave and the opportunity to take a career break are also available.

Subject to terms and conditions staff are entitled to up to 5 days paid leave (pro rata for part-timers), in any one annual leave year, to deal with an unexpected emergency involving a dependent. An emergency may include sickness, accident, criminal injury, unexpected absence of the usual carer or serious problems at the child's school.

This is a government-run scheme. Parents/guardians can check their eligibility and apply via the tax-free childcare pages on the GOV.UK website.

Any member of staff may request to change their working pattern or hours. Where possible and taking into consideration the needs of the business, we support compressed hours, job-sharing, part-time working and homeworking one or two days a week. Staff may also apply for a career break.

We understand that working in a pandemic is unlike any working before, and as a University we are committed to being as flexible as possible in helping support colleagues and students to manage their wellbeing and work-life balance.

All staff are entitled to a free eye test once every two years, along with a spectacles voucher towards the cost of glasses where they are required for DSE use. This spectacles voucher can only be issued where a certificate of recommendation is supplied by the Optician.

The Spectrum.Life Employee Assistance Programme offers 24/7, 365 days a year counselling services, weekly digital gym and wellness classes and wellbeing seminars, and discounts on high street and online shopping.

The counselling services are available 24/7, 365 days a year and offer support to employees, their partner or spouse and any dependents over the age of 16 years, still living at home. Spectrum.Life deliver over 5,000 health and wellbeing seminars, workshops and 1-1 consultations annually across 250 topics, including Remote Working, Mental Health, Nutrition, Parenting, and Ergonomics. 

Spectrum.Life's Digital Gym gives employees access to live and on demand fitness and wellness classes, with a weekly schedule of twenty classes for them to choose from. All classes are delivered by experts who demonstrate a safe and maintainable way to tackle fitness at home.

KindMind has been set up to support staff who may want to take a positive step in getting help. It is run by staff for staff and offers 100% confidential support and guidance.

Our advisers are Mental Health First Aiders and will provide support, non-judgemental listening. They will help you find access to the appropriate support services. More information for current staff are available on the staff intranet.

The Sport and Recreation team manages an extensive range of activities and facilities for staff and students. From our purpose-built gym, multi-activity courts, 3G pitches and even one of the world’s few real tennis courts right here on campus.