Category: Staff Networks

Infertility affects around 1 in 6 people of reproductive age. At our University, with roughly 12,000 employees, this equates to around 2,000 current staff members experiencing some form of fertility issue during their lifetime. The Fertility Journeys staff network has recently been established to support colleagues affected by fertility issues, providing a safe space for sharing experiences and raising awareness within the community.

There’s an old saying, “Birds of a Feather Flock Together.” When you look around at nature, you can see it’s true. By networking, we get the opportunity to flock with people who share our interests and values – building strength in identity and providing a platform for ideas and feedback.

We interviewed Tokeer Ahmed – Chair of the Race & Equality Network (REN) at Capgemini UK since 2021 – as part of the ‘Let’s Talk Careers’ podcast series and he has kindly written a blog piece on the importance of staff networks and mentoring. Employee networks and mentoring, particularly reverse mentoring, play a critical role in advancing diversity and inclusion in the workplace. These initiatives create environments where employees from diverse backgrounds feel supported, and they contribute to building an inclusive culture that goes beyond policies to real, lived experiences of equality.

In a time of heightened social unrest and urgent calls for justice, the workplace is no longer just about employment. It’s become a space where allyship and solidarity play a pivotal role – particularly for those just beginning their career.

With over 140 staff members we are an ever-growing staff network to facilitate peer support and communication between parents and carers across the university in whatever form ‘parenting’ takes. We welcome all: mums, dads, adoptive parents, foster parents/carers,...

If you're new to the concept of staff network groups, you're not alone. Before joining the University of Manchester, I hadn't encountered them either. These networks are invaluable resources, offering peer support to staff who may face marginalisation or oppression....

According to the organization Mental Health UK, one in five workers experience a sense of loneliness at work (Mental Health UK 2022). With those from minority ethnic groups being at greater risk of experiencing feelings of isolation.