City of Bristol College

City of Bristol College, one of the South West’s largest further and higher education institutions, is a proud Supporter of the Good Employment Charter. The College offers a broad spectrum of academic and vocational courses, catering to both full-time and part-time students from entry-level to degree-level education. The college is deeply committed to its mission, strategic objectives, and values, focusing on equality, diversity, sustainability, and the well-being of both students and staff.

What they do

City of Bristol College provides a comprehensive range of educational opportunities and support services to its community. The college’s mission and values emphasise inclusivity and personal growth, ensuring all members of the college feel supported and valued. This is reflected in their extensive staff benefits, which include a hybrid working policy and welfare rooms on all sites designed to help staff decompress during their workday.

In a bid to foster a supportive working environment, the college has implemented the right to disconnect, ensuring staff do not feel pressured to respond to communications outside working hours. This policy was developed in collaboration with union representatives, balancing the needs of both employees and the College.

Recognising the importance of appreciation and respect, the college offers various forms of recognition, such as certificates, banners, and personal emails from the Principal, celebrating acts of kindness and successes. Their Professional Respect Charter outlines expected moral and ethical behaviour, reinforcing a culture of respect and integrity.

City of Bristol College actively promotes a people-first culture. They offer options for purchasing additional annual leave and clearly communicate all staff benefits. This commitment to staff welfare has led to a noticeable positive shift in staff attitudes, as reflected in their benchmarked survey result.

In line with the criteria of the Good Employment Charter, the College also recognises the importance of giving back to the community, and offers staff three paid volunteering days a year which they can spend working with a charity or cause of their choice. This results in a great work life balance for employees and demonstrates that the team at the College are committed to providing a supportive environment that goes beyond the ‘office’.

Recently, the HR team have launched a paid fertility policy which enables staff going through fertility treatment eight days paid leave to attend appointments. This initiative has been thoroughly welcomed and paves the path for inclusivity throughout the entire pregnancy journey.

The college organises numerous events and initiatives, such as a half-day off before Christmas, Summer Fest, and Staff Appreciation Day. They also have a “Have Your Say” feedback system, encouraging open communication between employees and management.

A key focus is on welcoming new starters through events held six times a year, which provide essential information and foster a sense of connection and commitment. These sessions also serve as a platform for feedback, informing the college’s recruitment strategy.

To support leadership development, the college has launched a Management Academy, offering a bespoke programme based on the Charted Institute of Management delivery to over 100 line managers. Aspiring leaders have access to a well-received leadership course too, and all leaders and managers can benefit from in-house fundamentals courses offering bite-sized training sessions.

Success

City of Bristol College’s comprehensive approach to staff welfare and professional development has yielded significant positive outcomes. They have established a complete employee journey framework, encompassing attraction, induction, engagement, development, and exit processes. This ensures that employees feel supported at every stage of their career with the college.

One of the standout successes has been the transformation of their appraisal process. Initially, the process saw only a 34% completion rate. By consulting employees and simplifying the format, the college increased the completion rate to an impressive 98%. The new appraisal process is streamlined, with a focus on key highlights, goals, support needs, barriers, and well-being.

These initiatives collectively illustrate City of Bristol College’s dedication to fostering a supportive and engaging work environment, which in turn enhances the educational experience for their students. The college’s commitment to staff well-being, professional development, and a positive organisational culture underscores its status as a leading institution in the South West. The college has recently been nominated for ‘The Best HR Team’ award at the CIPD awards 2024 and find out if they win in September.