11th November 10.30am – 12.30pm
There is evidence that wellbeing in the university sector is poor and support available from institutions is varied and fragmented. Institutions aim to take a ‘whole university’ approach to promoting and supporting mental health and wellbeing but, although the wellbeing of staff is recognised as a crucial component of this approach, more focus is required on the needs of staff. Although the need for organisations to implement multi-level interventions to support the wellbeing of employees is recognised, most initiatives tend to target individuals rather than seek to improve working conditions.
This seminar examines the psychosocial support needs of university employees and provides evidence-based recommendations for how their health and wellbeing might be improved. To guide a support strategy for universities at a national level, we will be presenting findings of a recently published survey of the support needs of staff and their work-related wellbeing.
The programme also includes a presentation from the University and College Union who will respond to the findings of the survey and focus specifically on the support needs of the increasing number of university staff on precarious contracts. Other presentations discuss the important contribution occupational health provision and human resources can make to supporting health and wellbeing in UK universities, highlighting best practice in the sector. The online seminar will conclude with a panel discussion that includes the speakers and other stakeholders on developing and monitoring a national strategy for change in the UK university sector.
10.30 Nick Pahl, CEO SOM - introduction
10.35 - 10.45 Chair: Nicola Neath, mental health practitioner at University of Leeds. Chair, Mental Health Sub-group – Council for Work and Health; Executive Member of BACP Workplace. Welcome and overview
- 10.45 – 11.00: The context: work-related health and wellbeing in UK university staff. Prof Gail Kinman, Visiting Professor of Occupational Health Psychology, Birkbeck, University of London
- 11.00 – 11.15: The support needs of university staff in the UK. Dr Siobhan Wray, Associate Professor in Organisational Behaviour, University of Lincoln
- 11.15 – 11.30: Tackling stress in universities: the UCU perspective. Alex Lancaster, Bargaining and Negotiations Official (Health and Safety), University and College Union
- 11.30 – 11.45: Managing Health and Safety and supporting wellbeing in Higher Education. Vincent King, Chair, The Universities Safety and Health Association (USHA)
- 11.45 – 12: Wellbeing in UK universities: a HR perspective. Dr. Jo Bishton, Head of Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing, Human Resources, University of Derby
12-12.25pm Discussion panel - led by Nicola Neath All speakers, plus
Faye McGuiness, Director of Programmes, Education Support
Ruth Levin, Senior National Education Officer, UNISON,
Eleanor Dommett, Reader, Kings College, London,
Abigail Hirshman, Workplace Programme Director, the Charlie Waller Trust.
Key issues for discussion:
- Priorities for change – the need for multi-level interventions; and implementing and evaluating initiatives at the organisational level.
- Developing a multi-level health and wellbeing strategy that includes a work stress model suitable for the context, considers the needs of all staff and is flexible to meet new challenges, such as digital teaching.
- Should there be a formal requirement for universities to report their investment in staff health and wellbeing (e.g. covering occupational health spend, stress management training, return to work support etc. as well as investment in risk assessments such as stress and wellbeing audits)? Given the reliance on league tables in the sector, should spend on staff wellbeing be a criterion?
- How to promote best practice E.g. Guidance on developing a multi-level wellbeing strategy with staff involvement, intervention planning, implementation, and review.
- Where the places of mental health and wellbeing influence are, and where budgets are!
12.20pm Next Steps – Nick Pahl, CEO SOM
12.30 Close
Register on Eventbrite here and you will be emailed the Zoom join link.
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External Event Details
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