Workplace Supports

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Supports

UCD believes in equality, diversity and inclusion and embeds these fairness principles into all aspects of University life. UCD’s vision for EDI is to be a leader and role model in equality and diversity in the higher education sector nationally and internationally, and for EDI to be at the heart of all we do.

For more, please visit: https://www.ucd.ie/equality/

Dignity and Respect Supports

UCD’s Dignity and Respect Policy sets out the framework for dealing with complaints of bullying and harassment, including sexual harassment. It includes information for dealing with complaints informally as well as information on the formal procedure.  It also contains information on the supports available for staff and students.

You can learn more at https://www.ucd.ie/dignityandrespect/

Gender Identity and Expression Supports

Gender identity and expression is a positive, core part, of being human and experiencing wellbeing and fulfilment. UCD celebrates its diverse community of employees and students and their diverse gender identities and expression. Fundamental equality and inclusion in UCD’s community is central to our University’s ethos of academic excellence and integrity and our aspiration to be leaders in our society.

For more, please see: https://www.ucd.ie/t4cms/Gender%20Identity%20Policy%20Final%20June%2017.pdf

Code of Practice for the Employment of People with Disabilities
UCD's Code of Practice for the Employment of People with Disabilities sets out to provide a statement of policy and guidance in relation to the employment of people with disabilities. It states that UCD is committed to ensuring that people with disabilities are not disadvantaged by reason of having a disability.

Gender Balance on Committees 
UCD's (opens in a new window)Gender Balance on Committees policy articulates UCD’s commitment to a minimum gender balance of 40% women and 40% men on all decision making committees (and among their Chairs). 

UCD has a range of family friendly supports to support those with caring responsibilities.

The following is a list of supports that employees may avail of to support them in their work and family life:

• Support for Carers during Covid 19
• Support for Employees Taking Family-Related Leave Policy
• Adoptive Leave
• Maternity Leave
• Paternity Leave
• Career Break
• Carers Leave
• Parental Leave
• Shorter Working Year
• Job Sharing

Further details on these supports can be found on UCD HR website at  https://www.ucd.ie/hr/a-z/

Support for Employees taking Family-Related Leave 
The (opens in a new window)Support for Employees taking Family-Related Leave Policy and Guidelines aims to provide support for managers and employees to navigate the period before, during and after family-related leave. Academics who are returning from maternity, adoptive or carers leave are entitled to 50% teaching buy-out over two semesters on return from leave to re-establish their research career. 

Core Meeting Hours Policy
The University’s (opens in a new window)Core Meeting Hours policy aims to facilitate the embedding of core meeting hours across the University, as part of a range of actions to support a family-friendly working environment.

Out of Hours Email Policy

The purpose of the policy is to make it clear to employees that they are not expected to read or reply to emails outside of their normal working hours, except in exceptional situations. For more, please see: (opens in a new window)Out of Hours Email Policy

Shorter Working Year Scheme

UCD offer a shorter working year scheme to staff as a flexible work option. For more see the Shorter Working Year Scheme.  

Carer's leave

Carer’s Leave enables an employee to take a temporary leave of absence to provide full-time care and attention to a person requiring it. For more please see: https://www.ucd.ie/hr/leave/carersleave/

The University’s Recruitment and Selection Policy ensures that our resourcing of staff is fair, rigorous and transparent. It is the Policy of University College Dublin to ensure that the best candidate for the job is selected. All decisions relating to recruitment and selection must be consistent with the criteria outlined for the post. Commitment to this principle of appointment on merit reflects the University's Policy on Equal Opportunities. More details can be found at on UCD HR website at https://www.ucd.ie/hr/resourcing/

Promotions
As set out in it's strategy, UCD values excellence and understands that excellent performance requires excellent people working in a supportive environment.  The strategy states that:

“UCD will continue to attract excellent and diverse students, faculty and staff from around Ireland and around the world, and will put in place appropriate support measures to develop and retain the members of our community”.

UCD HR details the relevant information on their website at https://www.ucd.ie/hr/promotionsgrading/

Employee Relations

The University employs an Employee Relations and Policy Manager who works with colleagues from across the university to enhance a progressive and collaborative Employee Relations culture. They provide supportive, solution-focused practices for managers and employees, aiming to make UCD an employer of choice.

Protected Disclosures Policy

The purpose of the (opens in a new window)Protected Disclosures Policy is to encourage an employeewithin the University to make a disclosure of any potential wrongdoing of which they become aware and for the University to provide protection for the person making the disclosure. This policy provides guidelines as to how and to whom a Protected Disclosure should be made

Mediation
UCD is committed to the promotion of an environment which fosters mutual respect and understanding between individuals and its constituent communities. Mediation is a framework for resolving conflict in an informal manner which is impartial and objective and aims to resolve conflict at the earliest opportunity.

More information at http://www.ucd.ie/equality/support/mediation/

UCD Employee Assistance Service
We can all experience difficulties that leave us feeling anxious, overwhelmed and with a reduced sense of wellbeing. At times, all we may need is a little help, information or guidance, or at others – someone to talk to.
The Inspire Employee Assistance Service (EAS) is completely free for UCD employees and their immediate family members and provides a wide range of services and resources that will help to support your wellbeing, both in and outside of the workplace. For more information visit https://www.ucd.ie/engage/employeerelations/employeeassistanceservice/

Staff & Student Support
If any student or member of staff in the School of Agriculture and Food Science has concerns about or are experiencing bullying, harassment, or discrimination there are a number of people they can approach for assistance in confidence and with discretion:

• Emmet Jordan-Kelly: Student Advisor, School of Agriculture & Food Science (emmet.jordan-kelly@ucd.ie; Tel: +353 1 716 7745)
• Dr Deirdre O'Connor – Associate Dean for Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion, School of Agriculture & Food Science (deirdre.oconnor@ucd.ie; Tel: 01 716 7706)

The thought of reporting an instance of bullying or harassment can seem daunting and isolating. If you are considering initiating the complaints process, we recommend you consult the UCD Dignity and Respect Process flowchart for a transparent overview of the steps involved. This will help to ensure you know everything you need to feel confident about approaching one of our contact people.

Performance for Growth
Performance for Growth (P4G) is the UCD framework that provides the opportunity for all employees to have at least one annual conversation with their line manager, Head of School or alternate reviewer, within which: achievements and challenges of the previous year are reflected on and feedback is provided; goals and objectives for the coming year are agreed; a development plan, if required, is discussed and agreed; career aspirations are explored and supported where possible. The Performance for Growth Policy can be found at https://www.ucd.ie/peopledevelopment/p4g/

Training and Development Policy
The University recognises that lifelong learning is essential for developing individual careers and for dealing the with demands of an increasingly complex and changing work and societal environment. Our aim is to support individuals and groups to address some of these challenges through the provision of a comprehensive development portfolio. More information here on the (opens in a new window)HR Training and Development Policy.