Get Involved
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The EVC meets quarterly and the purpose of this group is to increase staff engagement and ensure there is an effective feedback loop between staff and management. Members are elected by other employees and we ensure that all staff groups are represented across varying levels of seniority. Members will join the EVC for a term of two years and their role will be to represent views of staff, seek to improve practices across the theatre, and champion our values.
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SWG meets quarterly to discuss and push forward the environmental sustainability goals of The Old Vic. They work on initiatives such as the Julie’s Bicycle Creative Industry Green Awards, The Theatre Green Book and The Old Vic’s roadmap to becoming a net zero Carbon organisation.
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The IWG is chaired by the Inclusion and Access Lead. The purpose of this group is to consider and recommend to the Board and SMG appropriate steps towards a long-term and sustainable plan for inclusion and to embed visible leadership on matters related to inclusion. Members of the group are appointed for two year renewable terms. The majority of this group will have lived experience of barriers or discrimination due to a protected characteristic.
Support
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We work to our cultural statement and hold all staff, audiences and those we engage with to the principles set out in our Old Vic for Everyone policy. When you work with us, you can expect to be treated fairly, respectfully, and with care. You will be supported in your endeavours and, we hope, inspired by your colleagues and environment.
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To maintain our values and workplace culture, we have support frameworks, accessible to all those who work with us. One of those is our Guardians Programme, which has now been adopted by more than 50 organisations across the UK. The Old Vic Guardians are a group of trained staff who offer a confidential outlet for colleagues to share concerns about behaviour or the culture at work.
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As part of our commitment to improve the wellbeing of our teams, there is a particular focus on maintaining good mental health for our teams. In order to provide support to those in a mental health emergency, a number of our team are trained Mental Health Champions. The role of a Mental Health Champion (MHC) in the workplace is to be a point of contact for an employee who is experiencing a mental health issue or emotional distress. As a staff member you can reach out to an MHC at any time as someone who will listen to you and help signpost and guide you.
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We also partner with Self Space, offering our workforce straightforward access to flexible specialist therapy sessions, bookable digitally via an app or via their website.
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As a proud PIPA partner, many of our team have flexible working arrangements in place to support them to meet their childcare arrangements and we are open to discussing your needs with you at any stage to ensure you can work around your care commitments.
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We run two buddy schemes at The Old Vic – one for new starters joining the company and one for parents returning from parental leave.
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We seek regular feedback from our workforce to understand how we can improve the support we offer.
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As a Disability Confident employer we invite all new starters to complete an online ‘Getting to Know You’ form, which asks you about your likes and dislikes, your communication preferences and also any barriers you face. It’s useful for your new manager to better understand you and your preferences and they will meet with you to discuss those barriers and any reasonable adjustments that might be put in place to support you.
Here are a few examples of reasonable adjustments or support that we might agree based on the presenting barriers:
- Access to a prayer room or quiet space
- Ergonomic keyboard/mice
- Wrist rests/roller mouse
- Anti-glare screens
- Sound cancelling headphones
- Ergonomic chair
- Assigned seating
- Desk fan/heater
- Support with IT - This can be offered on a case by case basis and may include Claro Read, Text to speech etc
- Communication preferences - Written instructions, verbal instructions etc
- Extra time for reading text
- Faith based adjustments i.e Fasting
- Flexible hours / regular breaks
- Information in advance i.e meeting agendas, reminders
- Sensory - heat/light/noise - Providing noise cancelling headphones or providing a desk fan etc
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of adjustments, and any adjustments that are not listed here can be discussed with line managers and the People Team to be agreed.
Our Offices
We have four offices back of house at the theatre of varying sizes, including one accessible office and we also have another accessible office near to the theatre. Most of our teams work across the two spaces.
Depending on the job role, some teams are required to work from the theatre, whereas others are eligible to work from home for part of the week. Those teams eligible for hybrid working work on a weekly office rota, allowing teams to sit together and work collaboratively in the same spaces.
All back of house toilets are gender neutral and we provide free sanitary products for our teams to use. There are also shower facilities and bike storage.
Upon joining, we’ll ask you to do a DSE assessment so we can ensure your workstation is set up for you to work comfortably.
About The Old Vic
The Old Vic, 103 The Cut, London SE1 8NB.
oldvictheatre.com
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