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© Christopher Wood

EQUAL CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

As part of its Equality Policy the University is committed to fostering an inclusive environment that promotes equality, values diversity and maintains a working, learning and social environment in which the rights and dignity of all its staff and students are respected. In RDM, we deliver training sessions to staff to help foster an inclusive research and learning environment throughout our department.

Our Silver Athena SWAN action plan  includes a commitment to champion a culture of dignity and respect in RDM, where positive behaviour is recognised and where there is zero tolerance of harassment and bullying. 

FAMILY FRIENDLY BENEFITS

The University has a central information point regarding family leave, which includes maternity, paternity and adoption leave, shared parental leave and unpaid parental leave.

As part of the University, members of our department have access to Childcare Services, which offers a comprehensive range of high quality childcare at affordable prices. The University has a number of nurseries in Oxford, as well as places at other nurseries around Oxford.

RDM has four sponsored nursery places, which allow us to nominate staff for a priority place on the University nursery waiting list, thereby raising staff to a higher point on the waiting list. 

Staff at RDM can also benefit from two schemes that the University offers, which are an opportunity to save tax and national insurance on childcare costs. Firstly, the Nursery Fee Salary Sacrifice Scheme allows employees the opportunity to reduce their salary by the amount of their nursery fee. Secondly, the University has a Childcare Voucher Scheme, where vouchers can be used for registered childcare facilities, such as non-University nursery fees, before and after school clubs, holiday play schemes, child-minders, nannies and crèche facilities. 

Flexible working

Our department operates a variety of flexible working policies, in line with the University. Flexible working arrangements can take many forms from the traditional part-time arrangements to compressed hours, job-sharing, staggered hours, term-time only working, or working from home. Flexible working can be requested by all employees, not just those with parental and caring responsibilities. We support staff that would like flexible working, and we are proud that 52% of our staff work flexible hours.

Work-life balance

RDM is fully committed to encouraging staff to find the right work-life balance for them. Most University staff have 38 days of annual leave, inclusive of public holidays and any fixed days of closure (pro rata if part-time). Staff also gain additional leave for long service. The University’s  Occupational Health Service (OHS) works jointly with other central services, to maintain the health, safety and welfare of all employees. OHS provides individual advice regarding stress and provides counselling upon request.