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Induction

 

Staff Support Networks

 

Chaplaincy for University Staff

The Chaplain to University Staff is based at Great St Mary's, the University Church, and is available to all members of staff irrespective of their beliefs. The Chaplain also coordinates a Multi-Faith Chaplaincy Centre at Merton Hall Farmhouse on the West Cambridge site (corner of Madingley Road/JJ Thomson Avenue). The Centre has a number of prayer rooms, meeting rooms, a coffee lounge and a kitchen. It is accessible 24 hours a day (The key combination is available from the Chaplain).

 

Dignity@Work

The Dignity@Work team ensures that all members of the university community are treated with respect, courtesy and consideration at all times. Dignity@Work contacts are staff volunteers who act as a first point of contact for staff who are being bullied or harassed, or have been accused of bullying or harassment. Visit their page to learn about all of their services offered to staff.

 

The Disability Resource Centre (DRC)

The Disability Resource Centre provides information, advice and signposting to disabled College staff and their managers in addition to its work with disabled students and those who work with them. The Centre works with the University's Centre for Personal and Professional Development to provide courses on disability themes, and provides bespoke training in response to departmental and college requests.

 

Equality and Diversity Section

The Equality and Diversity Section seeks to help the University progress equalities policy in line with legislation, and to develop good practice in supporting under-represented groups, promoting an inclusive culture, and valuing diversity. E&D also provides specialist advice and training to University departments and individual members of staff, supports a number of staff networks that promote diversity and celebrates diversity by organising public events.

 

Diversity Networks

The University has a number of Diversity Networks that are open to individuals who work for the University, a College or an associated institution and are members of a protected group. Diversity Networks include:

 

The Safety Office

We provide professional safety services to Departments and Institutions to help them take control of their own safety management. At a local level, Departmental Safety Officers, Safety Committees and Trade Union Safety Representatives are good sources of help within Departments and Institutions. If you want to contact us directly, please ask for the lead person for your Department or Institution or the relevant specialist.

 

Internal Mediation Service

The objective of mediation is to provide a supportive structure for two parties in disagreement to get together to try and agree a way forward which will enable them to restore a positive and productive working relationship. In order to reach agreement, the parties must be willing and able to engage fully and openly in the process, which is completely confidential. The University's internal mediators are members of staff, drawn from a variety of backgrounds and roles throughout the University who, as volunteers, have received training in mediation skills in order to assist with the resolution of difficulties between individual members of staff.

 

Contacts:

 

Finding a Mentor

If you are a newly appointed member of staff, your Head of Department or departmental administrator should help arrange a mentor for you: this is called ‘mentoring on appointment’ or ‘induction mentoring’. For further information please click here.

 

Occupational Health Service

The Occupational Health Service aims to complement the University's academic reputation by providing a support service that promotes and preserves both the physical and mental wellbeing of all staff, students and visitors.

Staff Counselling Service

The University Counselling Services offers confidential counselling to all members of staff to help solve personal or work-related problems away from the work environment. College staff may be seen once for assessment and onward referral in the Student Counselling Service.

 

Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPdA)

OPdA was set up to look after the interests of the postdoctoral community. Visit the OPdA website for more information on the opportunities and services available.

 

Sports Centre

The state of the art University of Cambridge Sports Centre is open for membership to students, staff, alumni and the wider community.  The physical and mental health benefits of exercise are well known, and with a fully equipped Fitness, Strength and Conditioning Suite, Sports Hall, Multi-Purpose Room, Five Courts, Squash Courts and a variety of exercise classes, there’s something for everyone.
 

Trades Unions

For information on what trade unions are available to staff and how to join visit the Trade Unions webpage.Your trade union can advise and represent you in employment matters. 

 

Wellbeing

The University is committed to providing a healthy working environment and improving the quality of working lives for all staff. The wellbeing strategy aims to support the University’s mission and core values of freedom of thought and expression, freedom from discrimination and the recognition that the University’s staff are its greatest asset. The wellbeing strategy’s ultimate goal is to improve the health, safety and wellbeing of University staff and to prevent work associated ill health, for the overall benefit of staff and the organisation. This encompasses the physical, mental and social health of employees and recognises that employees’ values, personal development and work within the University contribute to their overall wellbeing at work. The University has a large workforce and is geographically, culturally and linguistically diverse.  The wellbeing strategy aims to reflect this diversity and to provide direction on related issues and challenges in order to support the development of effective solutions and outcomes. For further information please see our Wellbeing pages.