Factsheet on Protected Characteristics
Maternity, Paternity and Adoption
Understand your
responsibilities
towards all
genders

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Familiarise yourself
with the Equality
Act 2010, the
University of
Warwick’s Equality
and Diversity Policy
and Dignity at
Warwick Policy
Ensure staff are
able to perform to
the best of their
abilities
Confidentiality
Are your
workplace and
working ethics
inclusive to all?
 Equality and
Diversity Training
 Inform
Colleagues about
the Staff Network
Groups
 Display E&D
posters on
departmental
notice boards
 Be aware of
additional
support available
Familiarise yourself
with available
resources and obtain
further support,
advice and guidance
 Equality &
Diversity Team
 E&D Webpages
 HR Adviser
 Occupational
Health
Equality Act 2010
It is unlawful to discriminate against
someone on the grounds of their
Gender. The Equality Act 2010 aims to
protect people and prevent
discrimination.
Dignity at Warwick
Familiarise yourself with the Dignity at
Warwick Policy – If a member of staff feels
they are being bullied or harassed they can
speak to a Dignity Contact in confidence.
Maternity Checklist
Once a member of staff submits their maternity leave plan to HR, a
letter will be sent to the employee enclosing 2 checklists. One for
the employee and one for the manager. Ensure that the checklists
are discussed during a one to one and have a plan in place before
their leave starts, during maternity/adoption leave and when the
employee is due to return.
http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/equalo
ps/dignityatwarwick/
Equality & Diversity Team
For more information please contact:
Sandra Beaufoy, HR – Equality & Diversity, Ext: 74479 –
S.Beaufoy@warwick.ac.uk
Claire Algar, Equality & Diversity Coordinator, Ext: 22356 –
C.Algar@warwick.ac.uk
E&D Training
Find out about the E&D training sessions;
these cover all Protected Characteristics.
Also complete the online E-Learning
modules. Encourage all your staff to
complete the online modules as a
minimum.
http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/equ
alops/training
Managers Responsibility
Ensure that you are familiar with the policies
relating to Maternity, Paternity and Adoption
Leave.
Discuss with your member of staff the options
that would be suitable for them and that these
are offered fairly to staff without discrimination.
Equal Opportunities
Gender equality is about creating a working
environment that provides equal opportunity to all.
During employment you may need to make your
staff aware of the following benefits:

Inclusivity
Ensure your departments has an inclusive approach to
all staff and students
Working Parents Staff Network Group
There is a very successful Working Parents Network
Group; highlight this to your employees who may not
be aware of this support network. This is open to all
staff regardless of their child’s age. There is also an online forum which enables staff to keep in touch whilst
on leave.
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Maternity Leave
Paternity leave
Shared Parental Leave
Adoption Leave
Other Parental Leave
Keep in Touch Days/SPLIT days
Warwick Academic Returners Policy
Flexible working
Resources
Familiarise yourself with the resources available and refer
to those when necessary for further support, advice and
guidance
 Dignity at Warwick Policy - It’s important that managers are able to direct staff members to organisational policies
when dealing with cases of bullying and harassment, including the various reporting routes available to them
 Legislation – Be aware of legislation, Maternity, Paternity and Adoption are all protected characterises under the
Equality Act 2010.
 Manager’s Responsibility - All managers need to be clear in their role in how to support staff, as a manager you are
responsible for tackling any discrimination and familiarising yourself with the policies and resources to support your
staff.
 Keeping in Touch (KIT) Days – Understand what is meant by a KIT day, staff can work up to a maximum of 10 days
during maternity leave, in agreement with their department. There is however, no requirement for staff to carry out
KIT days, nor for departments to agree to one.
 Annual Leave – Contractual annual leave and statutory days (which fall during leave) are accrued during maternity
leave at your normal entitlement. Staff can take annual leave before or after maternity.
 Employee Network Groups – Show your support to the staff network groups by displaying posters, ensure new and
existing staff are aware of this resource. Network groups can provide a safe channel for managers to seek advice and
support on maternity, paternity and adoption.
 University Nursery - The University has an on campus Nursery for further information please visit
https://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/childrensservices/nursery

Maternity checklists - HR provide 2 maternity checklists, one for the employee and one for the manager.
Arrange a meeting with the employee to discuss the checklists, this will include:
•
Consider and discuss how the maternity cover will be managed
•
How you can you assist the employee with their transition to go on leave and any work that needs to be covered
during their leave, this may include their research and any potential implications
•
Discuss the benefits of Keeping in Touch days (KIT)
•
Discuss their return to work and the options available (changes, flexible or phased return)
•
Advise the employee of the Returning Parents Mentoring scheme http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/ldc/personal/coachmentor/returningparent

Return to work - Carry out a re-induction to the workplace. Do not assume returners can just pick up where
they left off. Have regular catch ups to check progress and provide support. Set and agree objectives.

Shared Parental Leave – Shared parental leave provides new rights for parents of children due on or
after, or adopted on or after 5 April 2015. Members of staff wishing to take Shared Parental Leave
should consult the guidelines:
http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/humanresources/newpolicies/shared_parental_leave

Academic Returners Fellowship – In January 2015 the University introduced the Academic Returners
Fellowship all information and a helpful FAQ’s can be found at
https://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/equalops/maternity

Maternity, Paternity and Adoption webpages: All information is located centrally and can be obtained
via the Equality & Diversity webpages http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/equalops/maternity/

Training – Encourage all members of staff to complete the online E-Learning modules - Diversity in the
Workplace. Reports can be obtained from the E&D team to monitor who has completed the modules.
Ensure all members of staff who sit on interview panels have completed the Recruitment and Selection
module to ensure no gender bias.

Inclusive Behaviour – To maintain the momentum around equality initiatives include Equality and
Diversity a standing item on staff meeting agendas.

University Events – Encourage team members to attend diversity events that are held around campus,
this could be communicated by email, prominently displaying posters and displays on digital screens.