Work/Life Balance

Members of staff at all levels successfully combine a productive research career with a fulfilling life outside of work.  The Department and the wider University supports this in a number of ways. This page provides links and information about both University and Departmental provision in this area.

Family leave

The University provides a generous maternity leave package, which includes 26 weeks of leave on full pay for qualifying staff, as well as provision for paternity, adoption and shared parental leave.

The Medical Sciences Division has established a returning carer's fund, to assist those returning to work following a break to care for children or other close family members. Information on the scheme and details of how to apply can be found via the link above which is accessible to University members only.

In addition, the Department also offers additional support to women on maternity leave.  We also hold a popular, annual family party, for departmental staff members, students and their families.

Please download our Guide for Parents and Carers and Parental Leave Checklist .

Childcare

Departmental staff members and students have access to the University's nursery places (both within the University's in-house nurseries, and subsidised places within community nurseries).  Staff members are able to benefit from reduced nursery and childcare fees via the Salary Sacrifice, Tax-Free Childcare and Childcare Voucher schemes.  The University also works in partnership with holiday playscheme providers to provide childcare during the school holidays (which can be paid for with childcare vouchers).

University Nursery Sponsored Priority Scheme: The University has a scheme that enables colleges and departments to nominate staff for a priority on the University nursery waiting list (called a “sponsored priority”).  Email the Departmental Administrator business.manager@psych.ox.ac.uk for further details about the Department of Psychiatry’s Sponsored Nursery Priority policy.  Please note that a sponsored priority does not guarantee a nursery place, and recipients of a sponsored priority will be liable to pay all nursery fees. 

Flexible working

Many staff members work flexibly, for example working only during term-time, working flexible hours, working full-time across four days per week, and working from home as needed, and we aim to accommodate flexible working wherever possible.  In some cases, arrangements are managed informally within research groups, whilst in other cases staff members formally request flexible working. 

Benefits and discounts

University staff members have access to a range of benefits and discounts, which includes discounts on travel, hotels, local restaurants and financial and insurance products.