Our positive workplace
Learn more about our Strategy for Social Impact, our campuses, and our commitment to freedom of speech and inclusivity.
Our culture
Work with a sense of purpose.
Our Strategy for Social Impact describes who we are and what we do as an institution, reflecting our long history of creating positive social change. Most importantly, it is inspired by the work that our colleagues do.
Every member of our community helps to create positive social impact, evidenced by the support provided for students, the inspiration sparked in others, the welcoming environment created, and the communities championed.
Engaging work environments
York St John University Campus
Our York campus is based in the heart of the city, with magnificent facilities and a vibrant, rewarding atmosphere. In recent years we have made £100 million transformations to our facilities to provide the best environment to support our students with their studies.
London campus
Our London campus is set in the Export building at East India Dock, based in the rich and diverse east part of London. Close to Canary Wharf, we are part of a vibrant, dynamic and innovative hub of creative, technology, and start-up businesses. The unique cultural exchanges within our community create an empowering environment of collaboration and original thinking.
Freedom of speech
Freedom of speech and academic freedom are fundamental to our research, teaching and other academic activities. We are committed to promoting and securing freedom of speech within the law.
For more information visit our freedom of speech page.
Inclusive and diverse
As a university we strive for what we believe in, and we are dedicated to promoting fairness and challenging prejudice. To be a truly inclusive and equitable organisation is one of our strategic aims as we work towards our University for Social Impact Strategy.
We are fully committed to a positive and mutually supportive working environment free from discrimination, bullying, harassment and victimisation.
We aim to make sure that all staff at York St John can work collaboratively and are equally valued and respected. Through our work together as a community, we aim to remove barriers you may face and promote equality of opportunity so that you can achieve your full potential. We have multiple staff networks open to all staff, including a Parents' staff network and a Neurodiverse staff network.
For more information about equality and diversity work taking place across the University, visit our Equality and Diversity page.
Explore equality and diversity at York St John
Colleagues are encouraged to make use of our welcoming sacred spaces on campus for worship, prayer, meditation, or personal reflection.
We hold a Race Equality Charter (REC) bronze award for progress to advance race equality in higher education. The award reflects a University-wide commitment to pursuing real and sustained race equality.
We are undertaking actions to identify and act on institutional and cultural barriers standing in the way of Black, Asian and minority ethnic staff and students. For further information on our REC award, including updates on our Action Plan, please visit our Towards Race Equality page.
We have a BAME staff network which is open to all members of staff or postgraduate researchers of a Black, Asian or minority ethnic background.
We achieved the Athena SWAN Charter bronze award on International Women's Day (8 March) 2022. The charter is a framework used across the globe to support and transform gender equality within higher education.
Our action plan commits to embed gender equality actions within our policies, practices, and culture. This plan is ambitious and includes actions such as supporting women's leadership programmes, as well as addressing hidden inequalities. For more information on our submission and action plan, visit our Athena Swan page.
We have a Women's staff network which is open to all members of staff.
If you really want to know what life is really like at York St John, don’t just take our word for it, see what our people have to say about us instead. Here, you’ll find just a small snapshot of what our people do day-to-day, and what they think about the York St John experience.
We are a Disability Confident Leader and a Mindful Employer. We are committed to improving policies and practices for disabled staff, including those living with mental ill health.
Our Disability staff network is open to all members of staff with lived experience of disability or heath conditions, or those who wish to support this community.
We take positive steps to make sure that disabled people can compete for employment opportunities on a level playing field, and have the support they need to develop and perform well in their jobs. Examples of adjustments for staff have included changes to working hours, adjusting working premises, and providing or modifying work equipment.
We provide up to 1 week of disability leave (of normal contracted hours) per year. This may be required for purposes such as assessment or treatment for disability, or servicing of disability aids or equipment. You can find guides to accessibility on campus on our AccessAble profile.
We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive working environment for everyone. We aim to foster an environment in which colleagues can openly and comfortably initiate conversations or engage in discussions about menopause and access support. Our Menopause Policy sets out the framework for our staff and managers on providing the right support to colleagues with menopausal symptoms at work.
We have been named one of the most inclusive organisations in Britain by lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans equality charity Stonewall and one of their Top 100 Employers. We have also been placed in Stonewall's Top 20 Trans Employers list in 2020.
We aim to support all staff in the LGBT+ community and provide a safe working environment free from discrimination. Our LGBT+ staff network is open to all staff, postgraduate researchers and mature students who identify as LGBT+, or who want to be an ally.
Supporting your wellbeing
As part of developing a positive workplace, we are committed to providing a working environment which promotes your wellbeing and good health.
Learn more about the different schemes we offer to support your wellbeing below.
Our Employee Assistance Programme offers free advice and support. Colleagues can access the service through a 24/7 telephone helpline and structured phone and face to face counselling.
Our Wellbeing Champions are a trusted network of colleagues who can be your first point of contact for Wellbeing support. They are Mental Health First Aid trained and can offer a supportive conversation, let you know what resources are available and signpost you to further help if you need it.
"At York St John we want to create an environment of personal and collaborative ownership of wellbeing and the Wellbeing Champions will play a key role in developing and supporting a culture that contributes to improved mental health and wellbeing."
- Vice Chancellor Professor Karen Bryan, OBE
York campus
Colleagues working at our York campus will have access to the sports facilities based on the campus and at our York St John University Sports Park site. These include our fitness suite and a range of exercise classes. Small fees apply for using these facilities.
London Campus
Colleagues working at our London campus will have access to a range of sports, activities and fitness facilities provided locally.
