We have also produced a video asking staff some questions such as “is it OK to ask a colleague out for a date?” and “is it ok to comment on someone’s appearance?” Watch the video to hear responses from a variety of staff on campus.
Staff and Researchers
We strive to recruit and retain the most qualified staff, to foster inclusive and family-friendly working practices, and to provide plentiful opportunities for personal and professional development.
Staff
Inclusive culture
We are committed to improving the equality of opportunity, and removing barriers experienced by diverse groups the university is supporting, including sex, age, disability, race and religion and LGBT. We organise events, e.g. yearly lunches, for staff and PhD students to discuss Equality & Diversity and the department works with the faculty and university to promote Athena SWAN.
Bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct policy
Lancaster University has a bullying, harassment, and sexual misconduct policy explains how to make a formal and an informal complaint and where you can go for help and advice.
Staff Recruitment
We are committed to ensuring a fair and transparent recruitment process for all our research, academic and professional support staff.
Induction
New staff joining the department receive a comprehensive introduction on the workings of the department and the University to have the best start to their career at Lancaster. An online staff handbook helps new staff members to settle in and get used to their new role.
Professional Development
We strongly support the professional and career development of staff through teaching and learning training, leadership and management training, researcher development support, job skills development and courses on personal effectiveness in work roles.
Work-life balance
Our department maintains a culture that is supportive of a positive work-life balance and an enabling approach to flexible working. We appreciate that staff are most productive when they have achieved a work-life balance that enables them to effectively meet their responsibilities outside of work, such as caring. We recognise that staff may want to work from home occasionally and the department is fully supportive in such circumstances. We also have working practices on out of hours email contact, when to hold meetings and weekend working. These practices combine to support staff in having the work-life balance that works for them.
We are committed to ensuring that all staff expecting a child, adopting a child or needing more time to care for their family are supported before, during and after taking leave. This policy is to enable them to manage and balance work and childcare commitments successfully.
Research Staff
The research staff play an integral role in driving our research agenda.
We encourage our researchers to actively take part in their research groups and the department’s activities and events. We support them in their professional development to achieve their career goals. This support includes assisting them in attending external events and by organising internal functions, such as information sessions, including seminars, workshops and social events, such as Early Career Staff lunches.