Balancing work and caring responsibilities

A support network for parents on campus who are breastfeeding, open to staff and students.

Contact Workplace Diversity and Inclusion for more information.

Several childcare centres operate on or around UQ campuses.

These are independent organisations. Subject to the Australian Government Priority of Access Guidelines, UQ staff and students are given preference on waitlists and openings at these childcare centres.

Contact the childcare centre directly for more information.

We are committed to providing a safe work environment for all staff that is:

• built on respectful relationships
• free from fear and abuse.

The Domestic and Family Violence and the Workplace - Support Options Available for Staff Members Guideline :

• people experiencing domestic and family violence
• people who are supporting someone who is experiencing domestic and family violence.

The guidelines outline:

• leave options
• flexible work arrangements
• staff support through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• other support mechanisms.

Domestic and family violence is unacceptable in the home and in the workplace. We recognise that domestic and family violence may:

• have an impact beyond an individual's life
• affect an individual both directly and indirectly in the workplace over a prolonged period of time.

There are a variety of flexible working arrangements available to help you balance your personal and professional lives.

Staff members with family and carer responsibilities can take different types of leave:

• recreational leave
• leave without pay
• parental and adoption leave
• prenatal leave
• special leave
• personal leave
• compassionate leave

Follow the Managing My Absences guides for instructions on submitting leave requests in Workday.

Accessible parking permits are available for staff who are:

• pregnant
• parents and carers of infants.

We have policies, programs and support available to staff and supervisors to assist you to plan for parental and adoption leave and your return to work afterwards.

We support the Queensland Carers Charter, and seek to improve awareness of it among university staff.

The Carers (Recognition) Act 2008 recognises carers and the important contribution that they make for the people that they care for. The Queensland Carers Charter outlines 13 principles which help carers to be heard by government and their issues to be better understood in the community.

These principles are:

• The State recognises the effort and dedication of carers in our community and that carers provide a vital service.
• Carers deserve the respect of our community and should be supported within their community by all levels of government, institutions and organisations.
• The views and needs of carers must be taken into account together with the views, needs and best interests of the people they care for when making policy decisions.
• The importance of carers’ work means the role of carers should be recognised by including carers, or their representative bodies, in the assessment, planning, delivery and review of services affecting carers.
• Complaints made by carers in relation to services that impact on them must be given careful consideration.
• Carers should be recognised-
  • (a) for their unique knowledge and experience; and
  • (b) as individuals with their own needs.
• The relationship between a carer and the person they care for should be respected and honoured.
• Children and young people who are carers should be specifically supported by all of our community.
• The caring responsibilities of children and young people should be minimised.
• Grandparents who are carers for their grandchildren, after having raised their own children, should be supported in their important and challenging role.
• Grandparents who are carers for their grandchildren need easy access to information that is clear and relevant to their role as a carer.
• Carers need access to a wide range of responsive and affordable services to support them and their decision making in their role as a carer.
• Remote and rurally based carers face additional difficulties caused by isolation.

Under the Parental Leave Procedure, you can transfer to a safe job during your pregnancy if your doctor advises that there may be illness or risks arising out of the pregnancy, or hazards connected with your usual work.

Please refer to the Parental Leave online information.

The Triple P – Positive Parenting Program is a parenting and family support system designed to:

• prevent problems in the family, school and community before they arise
• treat behavioural and emotional problems in children and teenagers
• create family environments that encourage children to realise their potential
• equip parents with the skills and confidence they need to be self-sufficient and to be able to manage family issues.

Triple P sessions are regularly run at the St Lucia campus, and are facilitated by an accredited psychologist from the UQ Parenting and Family Support Centre (PFSC). The programs have been tailored into a variety of formats.

As the program is conducted during work hours, you need approval from your supervisor to attend before you register. You will be asked to provide brief demographic information, including the age and gender of your children. This helps the facilitator focus the content of the program to be most relevant to the group.

You can also check the Triple P calendar to find sessions including group programs and seminars at other locations.