School of Life and Medical Sciences

Issue: Concerns were raised about the lack of, or variable, communication across the faculties. This was exacerbated by the multi-site nature of many of the SLMS Divisions and Institutes.

Some people were not informed of important information in a timely manner. Others felt disenfranchised, not part of the decision making process.

What happened? A joint Faculty Communications Network has been established. From this a consistent, joined up website has been introduced, using common approaches.

Regular faculty newsletters have been produced with tailored messages from School, Faculty and Division. Balance d focus on research, teaching, enterprise and personal endeavour.

Key networks have been set up on HR, Finance/Research Admin, Communication and Education

School of Life and Medical Sciences

Issue: Some areas of concern in relation to equal opportunities, including gender balance in promotions and recruitment

What happened? A renewed focus on developing plans and initiatives to achieve Athena Swan award, with many departments working towards silver status. The Dean of Medical Sciences is championing Athena Swan on behalf of SLMS.
Launched in June 2005, the Athena SWAN charter recognises and celebrates good employment practices for women working in Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and Medicine (STEMM) in higher education and research. It aims to assist the recruitment, retention and promotion of women in STEMM and promote good practice.

Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment

Issue: Concerns were raised about insufficient resources, staff and a poor working environment

What happened? A new BEAMS Estates Strategy Manager post has been created. New space has been acquired, with more anticipated; and planning for the refurbishment of Wates House is underway; more staff have been recruited – both academic and professional services, with a positive impact on reducing the staff-student ratio; operating budgets have been increased.

Faculties of Engineering Sciences and Mathematical and Physical Sciences

Issue: Quality of appraisals is variable, leading to potential inconsistency of reward and feelings of inequality o approach

What happened? Senior management have reiterated the importance of high quality and consistent appraisals to support the achievement of excellent performance across the board. New managers receive development opportunities in appraisal to ensure quality and consistency of approach. Objective setting and assessment of performance is rigorously reviewed in relation to performance related reward, including additional increments.

Faculties of Arts and Humanities and Historical and Social Sciences

Issue: Concerns were expressed that workloads were too high, people were unable to take sufficient breaks during working hours and targets and deadlines were unrealistic, resulting in a long hours culture.

What happened? A Joint Faculty Work-Life Balance working group has been convened. This is looking at several areas where improvements can be made including: guidance aimed at lowering email traffic outside of working hours; promoting flexible working options, including P/T working and working from home and reviewing staffing levels both at staff:student and academic: professional services support.

Finance and Business Affairs Division

Issue: Staff wanted to see management be more open and honest in communications with them.  Opportunities for questioning the way things are done and offering suggestions felt limited.

What happened? A new internal communications strategy has been developed and implemented.  A resulting communications plan is in progress, including new website design enabling clearer communication.

Feedback mechanisms for Finance and Business  Affairs (FBA) staff have been reviewed, with a strong emphasis on confidentiality & senior-level review.

Quarterly half-day events are organised to enable FBA staff to mix and share ideas. 

Library Services

Issue: Communication between managers and staff and across sites needed to be improved.

What happened? A new Library Blog has been launched, which will be a new forum for communication between managers and staff, and between staff themselves. The aim of this development is to improve the communication of information/sharing of ideas to inform development and decision making.

A co-ordinating role for Communications activity has been identified as a key need in any future restructuring plans for the Library  and  UCL Communications will be invited to undertake an audit of Library’s communications activity.