Work-Life Balance
At LUU we value the contributions made by all staff in the workplace. We also understand that there is more to life than work! So we promote opportunities for all staff to enjoy a better balance between their working life and their home life.
In order to achieve this we provide a number of ways to improve your work-life balance whilst you are at LUU. Not all the options suit everyone, so we aim to provide a range flexible choices to give you more control over your work patterns, when, where and how you manage your working time.
The options available to you will depend on the nature of work you do. For this reason they are not limited to the items listed below. Any member of staff can make a request to enhance their own work life balance - please speak to your Manager or the HR and Admin department for more info.
Flexible Working Hours
In some departments LUU are able to offer you flexible working hours. You should check with your manager to see if this is something which can be accommodated within your department. Flexible working hours means that you can choose which hours you work each day within certain boundaries, for example to start work by 10am.
Annualised Hours
Some staff work on an annualised hours basis. This provides flexibility for the individual and for LUU. Staff on annualised hours are required to work a certain number of hours each year.
Part time working and Term time only working
Many staff in LUU already work part time or during university term times only and we are able to offer a number of vacancies on this basis. If you currently work full time or all year round we will consider any reasonable requests to reduce working hours to meet individual needs.
Job Sharing
We promise to consider all requests for job sharing from both existing staff and new job applicants.
Time Off In Lieu (TOIL)
Individuals in LUU have a wide variety of working patterns. Where on occasions staff are required to work extra hours which have been agreed with their manager in advance, then these will be granted as time off in lieu. The TOIL should be normally be taken in the same week.
Homeworking
We recognise that there will be times when you might be more productive if you work from home away from distractions and eliminate commuting time. Working from home allows people to have greater flexibility and control over their lives.
LUU allow certain employees to work from home on an occasional basis (normally up to once every month). Clearly some employees must be at work in order to fulfil their function, for example it wouldn’t be practical or possible for a member of staff working behind the bar to work from home! If you wish to work from home then please discuss this with your manager.
Requests to work flexibly
Di you know that new legislation has been introduced which enables parents with a child under 16 or a disabled child under 18 to make a request for flexible working?
Annual Leave
The full time annual leave entitlement here is 26 days. In addition to this there are 6.5 days during the year when the Union is closed. You also will receive the 8 statutory bank holidays. That's a lot of days for you to relax!
Maternity Leave
If you find out you are pregnant, you'll be pleased to know all pregnant employees are entitled to a minimum of 52 weeks maternity leave regardless of your hours of work or your length of service. In addition, we also offer an enhanced maternity pay scheme for employees with a minimum length of service.
Partner’s leave for new parents
Great news for Dads! We offer two weeks leave paid time off for those who are the partner of someone who has recently given birth or adopted a child.
Parental leave
This type of leave enables parents of young children to take periods of unpaid leave in order to spend time with them.
Dependant leave
You are entitled to time off to deal with any emergencies involving your dependants. Under this arrangement, up to five working days in any 12 month period is provided as paid leave.
Hospital appointments
Paid time off is available for in and out patient hospital appointments. To claim such leave staff you'll just need to show your appointment card or letter.
Study leave
Di you know study leave of up to half a day per examination is available for work related study?
Leave for public service duties
All LUU staff are entitled to time off to undertake public service duties where these have been agreed in advance.
Compassionate leave
This leave is available to all staff and covers incidences such as bereavement or domestic catastrophes, for example a fire at home.
Adoption leave
Parents adopting children up to a certain age will be treated the same as those giving birth.
Sabbatical Leave
Still got a travel bug that just won’t die? Fancy working abroad? Dreaming of starting your own company but haven’t got time? This could be your golden ticket...
If you have completed at least two years of service at LUU you could take an extended period of unpaid leave as a sabbatical. You can take between three and twelve months leave as long as you give us at least three months notice of your intention to take the leave.
During unpaid sabbatical leave your continuity of employment is maintained. LUU commit to keeping your post open and your duties covered.
Once on leave if you miss us and plan to return to work early, you must give at least six week's notice.
What do I do next?
Further details on any of the above arrangements can be found in the employee handbook. To achieve a better work-life balance, please contact your manager or a member of the HR and Admin department and we’ll be happy to discuss your options with you.