- Conference
- 2024 National Higher Education Conference
- Date
- 11 October 2023
- Decision
- Carried
Conference notes that increased workloads in Higher Education, coupled with the impact of the pandemic, has seen an increase in staff experiencing mental health problems.
Conference notes that workers with mental health problems which have a substantial impact on their normal day to day activities are likely to be disabled workers and entitled to protections under the Equality Act 2010.
Conference further notes that the crisis in Higher Education funding has seen welfare teams cut and the loss of mental health support for staff.
Conference therefore instructs the Service Group Executive to work with the national disabled members committee to:
1)Circulate UNISON’s guide to bargaining on mental health to Higher Education branches and to regions;
2)Encourage Higher Education branches to seek to agree mental health policies with their employers;
3)Fight cuts to staff welfare support and campaign for fair funding for Higher Education.