Task Force on Family Responsibilities

As part of UBC’s Focus on People initiative, a Task Force on Family Responsibilities was created in 2009  to better understand the family responsibilities of the students, faculty and staff who comprise the UBC community, consider how current initiatives are helping individuals to meet those responsibilities, and to recommend specific ways that the university can reasonably increase its support.

UBC has prioritized the retention and recruitment of talented individuals, and in so doing, is considering the ways to foster the well-being of individuals and the community. It is clear that the family responsibilities of the members of the UBC community impact the ways we engage with university. The Task Force looked at how UBC can best support its diverse population in finding solutions to the myriad daily challenges of balancing work (academic or professional) and family life.

Read the full report online.

UBC Family Responsibility Update (April 2011)

Accomplishments in 2010/2011 fiscal year:

• Established a Work-Life Relocation Services Office in Vancouver.  This office is working to expand work-life resources and activities.
• HR continues to enhance its materials to ensure the inclusion of family friendly images, a need identified in the report.  For an example see http://www.hr.ubc.ca/benefits/.
• A great emphasis has been placed on increasing childcare resources for the UBC community.
• A review of our Employer and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) offerings. UBC’s EFAP provider has enhanced information to staff & faculty to include services available to parent in such situations.
• Enrolment Services conducted a review of student leave guidelines and student academic and financial regulations.  Enrolment Services is looking at where changes can be made.
• A family-friendly event for new faculty and their families is hosted by the Work-Life Relocation Office every August.

Highlights the actions planned for 2011/2012:

• Drafting a statement on family responsibilities to act as a guide to the University community.
• Evaluate the service needs at the Okanagan campus for Work-Life Relocation Services and prepare to implement the appropriate solution.
• Create a work-life portal to access available information in a user-friendly way
• Explore new family-friendly activities through the Work-Life Relocation Office and the Health Promotions Program.
• Continue to focus on child care resourcing for the UBC community.
• Establish an elder care committee as recommended in the Taskforce on Family Responsibilities Report (October 2009).