EDI is at the heart of everything we do here, and we expect all our staff, students and volunteers to share this commitment, always acting with respect for others and valuing their differences.

We know it’s cliché but, we genuinely want our employees to feel they belong; have opportunities to contribute, grow and be their ‘best selves’. We don’t want you to change the way you think or present yourself to do that.

We are committed to developing existing knowledge and understanding of diverse groups amongst all our staff, and attendance at EDI-related workshops and training programmes are a mandatory requirement for all our core staff at all levels.

Taking Action on Inclusion

All appointments will be based on merit however, we have looked at ways we can make our recruitment and selection process more accessible and remove potential barriers

• We encourage applications from groups currently under-represented in our Core Staff teams, including LGBTQ+ and ethnically diverse candidates and advertise on targeted job boards
• We operate a Guaratneed Interview Scheme for applicants from ethnically diverse backgrounds who are currently under-represented amongst our core staff team.
• We have adopted the Halo Code which explicitly protects employees who come to work with natural hair and protective hairstyles assosicated with their racial, ethnic and cultural identities
• We are committed to offering flexible and hybrid working options wherever service needs and roles allow. This is standard from day one
• We screen applications solely on your information relevant to the criteria to do the job. Personal details such as your name are not shared until you meet the panel.  Your EDI monitoring form is NEVER shared with the selection panel
• Studies show that women, ethnically diverse candidates, as well as applicants with neurodevelopmental conditions are less likely to apply for jobs where they don’t meet the criteria exactly.  If you can't currently demonstrate you meet all of the criteria, it may not be a deal breaker, please explain how the gap could be approached.  You could be just what we are looking for, for this, or another role
• Should you be successful at the initial screening stage, we give you plenty of information about the selection process including sharing the interview questions beforehand as standard
• We will consider background noise, lighting and accessibility wherever possible when we hold an interview
• We are happy for you to bring notes to the interview and refer to them as necessary
• We give our assurance that your ability to maintain eye contact, or being nervous in an interview environment, will not impact our judgement of your ability to do the job!

What else are we working on?

Neurodiversity Friendly Award - We know that creating a neuro-inclusive workplace is key to attracting and harnessing talent, reducing challenges, building better working relationships and enhancing strengths.  To show our commitment, we will raise awareness amongst of all our staff through an expert-led learning programme.  We are also joining forces with the University EDI team to install an ‘Umbrella Project’ display.  We are also committed to considering neuro-inclusion when reviewing all our HR policies and process.

Accessibility around Campus

JMSU’s primary location is situated within purpose-built Student Life Building.  In this building you will find:

• Halal, Kosher, Vegan options served within the on-site cafe
• A designated Prayer Room
• Ablution Facilities
• All gender toilets on each floor
• Lifts to each floor
• Accessible Toilets to the rear of the Café (Ground Floor), Ground Floor and Upper Floors
• Baby Feeding room
• Designated safe/quiet room

EDI Staff Networks & Ally Groups

The University have staff network and ally groups for a variety of group and JMSU staff are welcomed.  They include

• LJMU Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Staff Network
• LJMU Dis-Ability Staff Network
• LJMU Together (LGBTIQ+) Staff Network
• Race Equality Allies
• Disability Equality Allies
• LGBTIQ+ Equality Allies

We hope all this sounds good to you, but we are always looking at how to do things better.  If you think we could be doing something else, please tell us – we will listen.

For more information, please email jmsu-recruitment@ljmu.ac.uk.