EIU Newsletter February 2022
Contents of this page
News and updates
In case you missed it
Awareness and religious dates
Support and services
News and updates
Gender Pay Gap Report 2021
Our Gender Pay Gap Report for the period 1 April 2020 - 3 March 2021 has now been published. The ‘Gender pay gap’ refers to the average salary of all women employed by an organisation, compared to the average salary of all men employed by that organisation, in this case, the University of Leeds.
Public Sector Equality Duty Data 2022
Public Sector Equality Duty Data have now been published for the period 1 August 2020 - 3 July 2021. The data cover both students and staff and provide information at an aggregated rather than individual level. The staff reports include information relating to recruitment, promotion, staff in post, turnover, retirement and parental leave. The student reports include information relating to admissions, registered students and degree classification.
LGBT+ History Month 2022
February marks LGBT+ History Month, a celebration of LGBT+ history, and of gay rights and related civil rights movements. In 2022, the theme is ‘Politics in Art: The Arc is Long’. You can find more information on the EIU website and on the LGBT+ History Month website.
Equality and Inclusion Unit team update
The EIU team said a fond farewell to Myles Smith-Thompson (Equality and Inclusion Officer). We thank Myles for everything that he did for the Unit and wish him the best for the future.
In case you missed it
Supporting Staff with Long COVID
Guidance for supporting staff with Long COVID is available on the EIU website. The guidance includes tips for managers, recommended adjustments and links to useful external online resources.
New Staff Networks
The Disability, Accessibility and Mental Health Staff Network (DAMH) is looking for new members. The group have been created to support staff who have an accessibility requirement, mental/chronic health issue, are neuro-diverse, or considers themselves disabled. The group aims to improve the process for obtaining reasonable adjustments, and change the way disability is perceived at the university. Contact the DAMH network or find it on Twitter to learn more and get involved.
The Bipolar Disorders Staff Network is looking for new members. The group has been set up by staff, for staff who are affected by bipolar disorders. The group aims to provide a safe supportive space for staff, working together to access expert guidance and collaborate to overcome barriers through advocacy, education and networking. Contact the Bipolar Disorders Staff Network to find out more and get involved.
Updated BDF Mental Health Toolkit
As a member of the Business Disability Forum (BDF) the University has free access to their knowledge hub resources including the recently updated Mental Health Toolkit. The toolkit contains a range of resources for equality and inclusion professionals, HR managers and senior leaders. The resources on mental wellbeing include Employee wellbeing and resilience – Physical and mental health, Employee wellbeing and resilience – Talking about mental health, and having sensitive conversations. To access the BDF Knowledge Hub register with your University of Leeds email address on the BDF signup webpage.
Awareness and religious dates
February 2022
1–28 Feb – LGBT+ History Month
1 Feb – Chinese New Year/ New Lunar year
5 Feb – Basant Panchami-Saraswati Puja – Hinduism
15 Feb – Nirvana Day – Buddhism
16 Feb – Magha Puja Day – Buddhism
25 Feb–1 Mar – Intercalary Days – Bahai
March 2022
1 Mar – Shrove Tuesday – Christianity
2 Mar – Ash Wednesday – Christianity
2–20 Mar – Nineteen Day Fast – Bahai
3 Mar – University Mental Health Day
7–13 Mar – Islam Awareness Week
8 Mar – International Women’s Day
16–17 Mar – Purim – Judaism *
18 Mar – Holi – Hinduism
18 Mar – Hola Mohalla – Sikhism
20 Mar – Naw Rúz (New Year) – Bahai
25 Mar – Spring term ends
29 Mar–4 Apr – World Autism Awareness Week
31 Mar – International Transgender Day of Visibility
*Please note the major Jewish festivals begin in the evening of the festival start date. Please see the Jewish Religious Observance guidance for more information.
Support and services
Meno-Pause for Thought Café
Meno-Pause for Thought Cafés are informal meet-ups hosted monthly on Teams, which create time and a safe, respectful, and confidential space to discuss the menopause. The cafés are open to everyone irrespective of age or gender and no one is advised to follow any particular course of action in them.
Next session: Thursday 24 February 15:00 – 16:00. To book your place visit the Meno-Pause for Thought Café Eventbrite webpage.
Staff Networks
Staff peer support networks are organised by staff for staff, providing a safe space for colleagues to reach out to others within the University who identify with a protected group or who have specific interests. They provide a safe, welcoming and practical platform, where exchanging information, generating and sharing views and new ideas can be expressed in an informal environment. The networks also enable peer support, networking opportunities and social activities. Current staff networks are as follows:
Bipolar Disorders Staff Network
Chronic Pain and Fatigue Network
Disability, Accessibility and Mental Health Staff Network (DAMH)
We hope you find this newsletter useful. We welcome your feedback. Please email us with any comments or suggestions for future newsletter items.