It was clear from the Staff Survey that we needed to provide better support for our leaders and managers to empower them to do their job well and create a positive workplace culture, bringing the ICARE values to life. We’ve listened to what you told us have turned the spotlight on defining what makes a great leader at Queen’s University: the responsibilities, skills, knowledge and desired behaviours required to lead and manage our people effectively. This will form the basis of a new Leadership & Management Framework that is due for release in March 2019. This will then integrate a new Connected Leaders programme of development to build the skills, confidence and capacity of our leadership community to provide greater impact at all levels.

As part of the commitments set out in Our People & Culture Strategy, People First, we must ensure that Queen’s University is an inclusive, supportive and caring place to work.

It’s critical that we engage with our people in discussions around mental health, listening to your thoughts in order to an open culture and compassionate atmosphere where every employee feels comfortable to be themselves at work. In 2019, we are launching a new Mental Health Framework that sets out our approach to achieve this. All of our people will have the opportunity to attend awareness sessions and workshops delivered by trained professionals to raise awareness about mental health.

We’ve engaged with Aware NI who will deliver ‘Mood Matters’, a workshop session that focusses on raising awareness of your own mental health and helping you design positive coping strategies.

We’re also offering Mental Health First Aid, delivered by Action Mental Health. Specifically tailored to support employees and managers in a workplace environment, this course covers topics including identifying risk of harm, conducting sensitive and confidential discussions and positive action planning.

Our mental health focus will continue throughout the year with specific events including access to professional advice clinics and information days to mark Mental Health Awareness Week in May. We’ll have external experts on site to explore topics such as financial wellness, physical activity, addiction and more. All of this activity complements our existing Staff Wellbeing activity and dedicated staff counselling support available through INSPIRE (0800 389 5362).

The Vice Chancellor (VC) attended launch of the University’s LGBT+ staff network, PRISM, in October 2018. This Network was created to provide a welcoming space for LGBT+ employees to meet during work hours, to discuss relevant issues, work matters and to plan social events.

You told us that you wanted our leaders to be more visible. A number of All staff meetings have taken with the Senior Leadership Team to mark significant occasions within the University. These include the launch of the Corporate Plan and Staff Survey update, the launch of the University’s new brand, Q&A with the University Executive Board, and the launch of People First and the Social Charter.

Since joining in August 2018 the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Professor Ian Greer, has been in listening mode, focusing on engaging with staff at a local level. He has visited all Schools and Directorates with the next round of visits currently being scheduled. Professor Greer has also hosted a series of lunches with staff from across the University including Finance and HR Business Partners, SWAN Champions, Porters, the EPS and AHSS Faculty team and staff from across the University involved in Widening Participation.