Work-Life Balance
Here at the University we are committed to equality of opportunity in employment for all our staff and to developing work practices and human resource policies that support work-life balance. The University has achieved IiP accreditation in work-life balance in recognition of this.
Work-life balance is about people having a measure of control over when, where and how they work. It is achieved when an individual's right to a fulfilled life inside and outside paid work is accepted and respected as the norm, to the mutual benefit of the individual, business and society.
(online at The Work Foundation,
accessed 20.10.2010)
What's on offer at the University
This section of our website is dedicated to what work-life balance means within the University and illustrates the excellent range of work-life balance initiatives available.
University staff currently have access to:
- work-life balance arrangements on flexitime, part-time, job share and term-time working
- special leave
- study leave
- time off for emergencies
- career breaks and time off for public or community service
- generous entitlements to annual leave and closure days.
The University has also instituted a range of measures to support both male and female employees care responsibilities, including enhanced maternity, adoption and parental leave provisions, carers leave, childcare allowance and an on-site nursery.
The University's policies covering Work-Life Balance include (these link directly to the policies):
- Maternity Policy
- Paternity Policy
- Adoption Policy
- Career Break Policy
- Right to Request Flexible Working Procedure
- Flexi Time Policy
- Job Share Policy
Special Leave Policy
Introduced in May 2007, the University's Special Leave Policy was developed to provide support and guidance for managers across a range of leave provisions, including:
- Parental Leave
- Time off for Dependants
- Time off for other Emergencies
- Compassionate Leave
- Time off for Public Duties
- Court Attendance
- Members of the Reserved Forces
- Trade Union Duties.
These special leave provisions recognise that there may be occasions when employees need the flexibility and support to balance work commitments and personal circumstances.
The provisions provide a transparent framework that cover a range of personal circumstances, recognising that work-life balance goes much further than childcare arrangements.
The responsibility for supporting time off in these situations has been devolved to line mangers, recognising that employees are individuals and their personal circumstances deserve individual consideration. Human Resources are able to provide support and guidance to employees and managers whenever they feel it is appropriate.
