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Barts and The London School of Medicine: Career breaks

Actions were put in place to ensure staff returning from maternity or paternity leave felt supported during the period of their leave and in their eventual return to work.
Target Group
Academic staff
Professional and support staff
Initiative Theme
Career development
Initiative institution
Queen Mary University of London
Application type
Athena Swan Initiative
Publication date

Details of activity

Actions were put in place to ensure staff returning from maternity or paternity leave felt supported during the period of their leave and in their eventual return to work. Regular lunches were set to be held for those returning from leave in order to create a more welcoming and supportive environment, where staff still felt valued during their leave.

Outcomes

Two lunches per year (one at Whitechapel and one at Charterhouse Square) took place as of November 2014, where staff were able to discuss any issues concerning returning to work. The submission noted an increased number of staff who claimed child care vouchers as a result, and staff feedback suggested that there was a stronger sense of support felt by staff, particularly with regards to women still feeling valued during their maternity leave.