Supporting department members - family-friendly benefits
We actively promote a culture that supports a healthy work–life balance, with policies and practices developed by both our own Better Workplace Group and the central University, with a focus on family-friendly working.
Athena SWAN Charter
The University of Oxford is a member of the Athena SWAN Charter and holds an institutional Bronze Athena SWAN award. The Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences holds a departmental Silver Athena award in recognition of its efforts to introduce organisational and cultural practices that promote gender equality in science, engineering and technology (SET) and create a better working environment for both men and women.
As part of our Athena SWAN initiative we interviewed women from the department about their experiences working here. In the video, they speak about how they started working here, their career progression, the work environment and give advice to others.
Childcare and other carer responsibilities
The University offers a comprehensive range of childcare services at affordable prices and works closely with various professional bodies to continue to enhance its provision.
The Work+Family Space Programme
The University of Oxford recognises that working parents and carers, who make up a large proportion of their talent pool, can find it difficult to juggle the demands of work and family.
By putting strong family-friendly support in place, The University of Oxford is demonstrating its commitment to shaping a workplace fit for an evolving workforce.
Through The University of Oxford Work+Family Space programme, there is a wide range of support available, including:
- Emergency childcare
- School holiday cover
- Backup adult and eldercare
- Expert advice and webinars
- Support for Dads
- Information and other resources.
100 Women of Oxford Medical Sciences
2021 marked 100 years since women were admitted as full members of the University of Oxford, women now hold vital posts at all levels of this institution.
Across 16 departments and numerous affiliated units, the women of Medical Sciences come from all walks of life, from all backgrounds, from all over the world.
We've asked 100 of these women to take part in this project to showcase diversity of roles they now hold. We’ve asked them to reflect on their journeys, their place in Medical Sciences and their vision for the next 100 years.
Equal career opportunities
As part of its Integrated Equality Policy the University of Oxford aims to provide an inclusive environment which 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 to assist them in reaching their full potential.
The University will work to remove any barriers which might deter people of the highest potential and ability from applying to Oxford, either as staff or students. The University has approved separate policies for race, disability, and gender equality.
Newcomers' club
The Oxford University Newcomers’ Club exists to welcome to Oxford the wives/husbands/partners of newly appointed academics, of visiting academics and of postgraduate students to the University.
Other policies
Please see the employment pages of the University website for policies on the following areas:
- Management of working hours
- Management of leave, from annual leave/holiday to leave for domestic emergencies and parental leave
- The arrangements for sickness absence
- Training and Personal Development Review (PDR)
- The prevention and management of work-related stress
- Handling grievances
- Performance management including disciplinary procedures.
The latest on tobacco research, courtesy of the Oxford Returning Carers’ Fund
Jamie Hartmann-Boyce, who has recently returned to the department following maternity leave, writes about her experiences of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco (SRNT) conference in Chicago.
James' story - Working for a family-friendly department
Senior Research Fellow James Sheppard describes how the department has supported him to progress his career while achieving a positive work–life balance through shared parental leave.
We are still going for Gold
Following the EDU's Athena SWAN Awards announcement, where our department achieved a Silver renewal, Head of Department Professor Richard Hobbs reflects on our progress to date in creating a better workplace.
All the fun of the fete - Staff summer party 2016
The department organises a bi-annual summer party and an annual Christmas party for staff and students, with the summer event open to partners and families. We aim to continue with this tradition after coronavirus restrictions ease.