Blogs, news & views

Why the OfS Statement of Expectations is welcome but not enough on its own — and our recommendations for universities serious about long-term cultural change.

How workplace bullying and harassment quietly drag down productivity and profit, what the legal exposure looks like, and where digital solutions can help.

How universities can put student safety at the heart of Freshers Week planning, with practical steps for prevention, reporting and visible support.

In 2020 the University of Salford spoke up about the issues of student wellbeing and mental health. This isn’t a unique challenge for Salford, with 1 in 5 students across the country suffering from mental health issues.

Bath Spa University (BSU) pride themselves on having built a culture of intimacy and personalised learning for all of their students since receiving University status in 2005. Their members are made to feel like part of a community, which can be a great benefit to student and staff experience, however it can also create barriers when tackling issues that require more discretion, such as with reporting harassment or unacceptable behaviour.

How HR leaders can secure ongoing executive buy-in for people investments by treating ROI not as a one-off pitch but as a continuous, evidence-led conversation.

As businesses continue navigating the pandemic and conversations around the future of workplace culture take precedence, we were proud to host this conversation about remote working and the opportunity it gives you to make your workplace radically accessible and inclusive.

The guidance includes recommendations for reporting, investigation and decision-making procedures relating to student complaints of staff sexual misconduct in Higher Education institutions. You can read it here.

How simplifying and humanising student incident reporting helps tackle underreporting and gives institutions a more honest picture of what students experience.

How employers can build the speak-up culture, processes and support needed to tackle workplace sexual harassment effectively, and stay on the right side of the law.

Diversity is not just important for society, it is important for a successful, sustainable business and the worldwide economy. And, it’s important for people’s happiness at work.

Practical steps organisations should be taking to tackle racial inequity at work, from clear public commitments to deeper, longer-term structural change.

Why insurance firms can no longer treat diversity and inclusion as optional, with new research on what employees expect and where the sector falls short.

Six HR technology trends, from AI and automation to anonymous reporting, that are reshaping how organisations recruit, retain and support their people.

Five of the biggest challenges HR will face over the next decade, from retaining top talent to embedding wellbeing as a genuine business strategy.

Our research finds nearly half the UK workforce thinks employers could do more on diversity and inclusion — and that token gestures are no longer enough.

Catch up on our latest webinar where we were proud to host the launch of University of Leicester’s Student Sex Worker Policy & Toolkit, in conjunction with Support for Student Sex Workers. This sector leading work helps Universities tackle these sensitive issues with wellbeing and inclusivity at the heart.

Six practical, actionable steps any organisation can take to improve company culture today, from transparency and recognition to peer-to-peer trust.

Practical actions universities and colleges can take to tackle racism in higher education, from leading from the top to providing accessible reporting.

A foundational guide to company culture — what it is, why it matters, the different types, and how leaders can manage and improve it intentionally.

In 2019, UCL launched Report and Support by Culture Shift to remove the barriers of reporting harassment and bullying. In doing so, it increased reports and gained valuable insights that are paving the way for positive change.

During this webinar we discuss UCL’s work with Culture Shift, in particular how the institution has implemented the Report + Support tool, and used the data gathered through it to activate change.

Drawing on the documentary ‘Is Uni Racist?’, we set out the central challenges UK universities face in supporting students who report racial harassment.

Data is important, we know we need to collect it, but less significance is put on making sure it’s collected in the right way, so it’s no longer part of a bureaucratic HR system, but is part of utilising HR for good. But we believe data enables HR leaders to move beyond a statement, and turn policies into action.