Case studies

Case studies, written by staff and students, from the department, describe their experiences of using some of these schemes to enable flexible working for a range of reasons.

Read the case studies

We are committed to supporting our staff and students with their responsibilities outside of work. Over the years we have supported individuals with their new arrivals through maternity, paternity and shared parental leave as well as assisting those needing to work flexibly or undertake periods of leave for other reasons.

Our departmental COVID-19 response aimed to take into account the additional challenges faced by those with additional caring responsibilities as well as those directly affected by the disease itself. Following the first lockdown in March 2020, the Department implemented a clear policy of ‘do what you can, when you can’ to accommodate the change of circumstances for staff working remotely.

Staff were encouraged to declare any issues arising from the lockdown so that workloads could be actively reduced. This message and action was re-emphasised with the announcement of a 3rd national lockdown in January 2021 and regular drop-in sessions were introduced to provide support for those with caring responsibilities and a forum for issues to be raised and suggestions made.

Imperial College provides a generous package of family leave for all staff and offers a variety of options for students wishing to take parental leave. At both our White City and South Kensington campuses we have a private, bookable nursing room space for both staff and students. For White City nursing room information contact Ingrid Kedissa. 

We actively encourage academic staff taking periods of parental leave to apply for an Elsie Widdowson Fellowship which provides funding to enable staff returning from a period of leave to concentrate on their research, relieving them of teaching or administrative duties in order to do so. As a Department, we also extend this support to our fellows. We also provide additional financial support for such staff to use either during or immediately after their leave, which staff can choose how to use, for example for additional support to manage a group during their absence.

To enable those with caring responsibilities to attend scientific meetings and conferences, we support staff and students with applications to both the College Carers Support Fund and the Royal Society of Chemical Grants for Carers.

Flexible working and support for carers and parents

The Department of Chemisty is committed to providing a supportive environment for its staff and students, to enable effective working whilst balancing work and life commitments. The information below aims to provide a brief summary of some of the schemes and opportunities that are available.

Case studies, written by staff and students, from the department, describe their experiences of using some of these schemes to enable flexible working for a range of reasons. Found at the end of this document, these first-hand experiences may offer you some addition insights, tips and advice to help you to navigate around flexible working decisions. Additionally, everyone listed is happy to be contacted if you have any unanswered questions.

The most important message is that if you need help, please ask for it.

Flexible working

Flexible working describes a type of working arrangement which gives a degree of flexibility on how long, where, when and at what times employees work. All employees, not just parents and carers, can request flexible working. Further information can be found on the College HR website.

Please discuss this with your line manager, who will help to advise you on the available options.

Information for parents

Information for carers