There are a range of information and support services available to staff at Heriot-Watt, including health and wellbeing support and information and advice on University conduct. More information can be found on the Staff Portal.
Care first Employee Assistance Programme
With ever increasing pressures at work and home, there are times when we all need some extra support to balance the demands of everyday life. Care first are an independent, leading provider of professional employee support services. Care first employ professionally qualified Counsellors and Information Specialists, who are experienced in helping people to deal with all kinds of practical and emotional issues such as Wellbeing, family matters, relationships, debt management, workplace issues, and much more…
How do I use the service? The service is free of charge for you to use and you don’t need to ask your manager to use Care first, just call 0800 174319 and you can speak to a professional counsellor or information specialist in confidence.
Care first is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and is accessible by phone or online. The employee assistance programme (EAP) can provide information booklets, articles, resource information on support services in your local area and even short term face-to-face counselling to help get you back on track.
You can access CareFirst and find out more about the Assistance Programme on the Wellbeing SharePoint within your Staff Portal.
Heriot-Watt have a network of Respect Ambassadors across all our campuses. This network supports colleagues across the University community in its goal of providing a safe, supportive and inclusive environment for all. Respect Ambassadors can provide confidential guidance and support to staff who have witnessed or experienced inappropriate behaviour or are having a difficult time.
UK-based staff can contact any UK-based Respect Ambassadors on any campus, given that there may be the potential for conflicts of interest.
More information about Respect Ambassadors and who they are for each campus can be found on the Staff SharePoint page.
Grievance Policy
The University is committed to promoting and maintaining a working environment where any grievances can be discussed openly between colleagues, and staff are treated with respect and dignity.
The University encourages employees to raise any concerns as soon as they arise in order to settle any concerns as promptly and effectively as possible.
Any issues or concerns should be first raised with your line manager. If you are not sure who to speak to, you should approach someone in HR for advice.
More information on Heriot-Watt’s Grievance Policy and Procedure can be found here.
Chaplaincy
The Chaplaincy exists to promote spiritual and social wellbeing. It is open to everyone – both staff and students – from all backgrounds and cultures. People of all faiths and no religious faith are welcome. This is somewhere for you to feel comfortable to chat about anything you may need, as well as meeting people and making friends.
Edinburgh’s full-time Chaplain, Rev. Jane Howitt, can be contacted by calling 0131 451 4508 or emailing j.howitt@hw.ac.uk. You can also contact the part-time Muslin Chaplain, Imam Hassan Rabbani, by calling 07544 840100 or emailing S.Rabbani@hw.ac.uk.
For Chaplaincy information for Scottish Borders and Orkney campuses, please see the Faith and Belief sites. https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/students/health-wellbeing/borders/faith-and-belief.htmhttps://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/students/health-wellbeing/orkney/faith-and-belief.htm