The People and Culture team would like to thank everyone who has made time to come and contribute to the focus groups taking place on maternity/adoption/shared parental leave.

So far, 49 people from across the University have participated in the focus groups. The insights and ideas gained have been valuable and will shape the Athena SWAN Action Plan to support both staff and line managers better in this area.

Initial responses and further actions

It is clear from the feedback captured in August that one action in response should be an improved Maternity Checklist to prompt discussion and action, to help both the staff member and line manager navigate the way from pregnancy/adoption placement to returning to work.

As a result of this feedback, an improved Maternity/Childcare Leave Checklist is under development, to prompt discussion and action, to help both the staff member and line manager navigate the way from pregnancy/adoption placement to returning to work.

Additionally, we are looking to identify dedicated spaces to support employees and students breastfeeding or expressing breast milk should they prefer to do so in a private location. These spaces will be designated as Athena SWAN Parenting Rooms. Look out for more information in December.

If you would like to test one of the rooms, or would like to provide comment into the development of the Maternity/Childcare Leave Checklist, please contact peopleandculture@nottingham.ac.uk.

Attend the November Focus Groups

There is still time to register your attendance at the following Maternity/Adoption/Shared Parental Leave Focus Groups and Line Manager Focus Groups taking place in November:

Staff Focus Groups:

• Monday 6 November, 10:30am – 12:00pm: Sutton Bonington
• Monday 13 November, 11:30am- 1:00pm: Royal Derby Hospital, School of Nursing

To register your attendance at a Staff Focus Group, click here.

Line Manager Focus Groups:

• Monday 6 November, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Sutton Bonington
• Monday 13 November, 1:30pm-3:00pm: Royal Derby Hospital, School of Nursing

To register your attendance at a Line Manager Focus Group, click here.