Workplace Supports

There are several policies relating to employment at UCD, covering such items as maternity leave, career breaks and faculty promotions. To access the library of policies, please (opens in a new window)click here.

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/

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/equality/support/dignityrespect/ 

Bereavement Support Group

A bereavement support group, run by UCD Chaplaincy and UCD Student Counselling, is available for UCD Staff. 

The support group is intended for colleagues who would like to learn new and supportive ways to reclaim moments of contentment and happiness while honouring those whom they have lost.  

The intention is that support groups can help the bereaved constructively manage the pain of grief, as they provide unique opportunities to both be heard and to bear witness to another's experience that are not often possible during individual counselling. Groups can lessen a sense of isolation that often accompanies grief.

The Bereavement Support Group is modelled on the Taos Institute Program where participants work together as a support for one another with the theme of the group being "Breathing Life into Stories of the Dead".  

This is a non-faith group setting. It is open to colleagues of all faiths and none.  The methodology used does not conform to any faith structure and any input on faith comes from the participants alone.

If you would like to find out more or register your interest, please contact:

• (opens in a new window)Bronagh Hanna, Student Counselling 
• (opens in a new window)Eamonn Bourke, Chaplaincy

Staff EDI Networks

You can find more information about EDI Networks here. 

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 Gender Identity & Expression Policy

Below you will find outlined some of UCD's family friendly policies. However, please consult the appropriate HR resources for full details, https://www.ucd.ie/hr/leave/

Maternity Leave

Pregnant employees are entitled to 26 weeks of maternity leave, at least two of which must be taken before the birth and four of which must be taken after the birth. Please see UCD HR’s brief summary of the steps you need to take to apply for maternity leave at https://www.ucd.ie/hr/leave/. You will also find the forms required to make the application and a detailed policy outlining your entitlement.

The School of Computer Science offers additional supports to pregnant academic staff in advance of going on maternity leave, including flexible scheduling and accommodation for attending antenatal appointments/classes. The School also assists those academic staff returning from maternity leave to re-acclimatise and catch up with their priorities. These supports will differ from person to person, and in all cases must be agreed on with your line manager and Head of School.

Paternity Leave

Paternity leave is available to all part-time and full-time employees in the employment of UCD (See UCD’s Paternity Policy section 2).  You can learn more about the policy and the steps involved at https://www.ucd.ie/hr/leave/

Parental Leave

Parental leave is available to employees who are natural or adoptive parents, and also extends to persons acting in loco parentis in respect of an eligible child. For information on applying for parental leave, see UCD HR’s step-by-step guide and read the Parental Leave Policy at https://www.ucd.ie/hr/leave/

Carer’s Leave

Carer’s Leave provides for an employee to take a temporary leave of absence to provide full-time care and attention to a person requiring it. Carer’s leave is available to all UCD employees who have completed one year’s continuous service subject to meeting specific criteria as outlined in the college Carer’s Leave Policy at https://www.ucd.ie/hr/leave/

Adoptive Leave

Under the consolidated Adoptive Leave Acts, an adoptive parent is entitled to twenty-four weeks leave from the date of the placement of the child. This leave period is known as adoptive leave. UCD ensures employees are supported before, during and after their adoptive leave. Details of entitlements and procedural steps may be found at https://www.ucd.ie/hr/leave/adoptiveandsurrogacyleave/

Fertility Treatment Policy 

UCD is committed to providing a supportive workplace for all our employees including for individuals who are undergoing fertility treatment. A supportive environment includes a culture that facilitates employees undergoing fertility treatment, employees whose partners are undergoing fertility treatment, and the provision of supports aligned to good practice. It is important to UCD that employees who are planning to have children, feel fully supported to do so and are facilitated to balance career and their fertility journey. You can find out more information about how UCD wants to support employees in their fertility treatment journey here: https://www.ucd.ie/equality/support/fertility/