1. Family support policies and flexible working policy

2. The School of Biological Sciences has local policies that complement the University of Edinburgh policies.
Parental leave cover
Return from parental leave - workload expectations
Flexible working
Family support fund

3. Parental Leave Cover
Principle: to provide cover for staff on parental leave and to ensure that it does not result in significant workloads being distributed amongst existing staff.
Staff funded by School: the default policy is that for extended leave (>8 weeks) the School will provide cover, usually by employing a replacement position.
Academic teaching staff: cover post will normally cover teaching responsibilities and may take on research management duties

4. Parental Leave Cover
Academic research fellow: cover post if teaching responsibilities are sufficient to justify cover appointment
Research and technical staff funded through grants: most funders will pay for cover allowing to hire a replacement/or extend contract. If not, the School will consider funding on a case by case basis.
Professional services staff: the School will arrange cover
No cover provided for PhD students

5. Academics returning from parental leave
Principle: this is intended as help to allow the researcher to re- establish research programs
On return to work: reduced ‘service’ (admin & teaching) workload expectations by 50% for 12 months (pro-rata to % full-time hours)
For shared parental leave, arrangements for either parent/carer considered on a case by case basis.
We strongly encourage you to discuss this with your line manager before going on leave.

6. Flexible working request
All flexible working requests will be considered regardless of individual reasons.
If a manager is considering declining because of a business requirement, this should be referred to Head of School (for academics) or Director of Professional Services (for support staff) to ensure all options have been considered.

7. Family support fund
Principle: to ensure staff and PhD students with caring responsibilities are not disadvantaged in their ability to attend conferences or other career development opportunities.
Small fund that all staff/PhD students can apply to at any time.
Intended to cover additional dependent care expenses incurred. E.g. For a carer or travel expenses for carer.
Each case will be considered individually.
Amounts up to £350 can be requested.