Keep staff at the centre of your communications
The University has a range of communication channels available for you to get your messages to colleagues. Please be aware that these channels are for the promotion of activities which are core University business only, unless decided otherwise.
Before deciding how you will communicate, think about who you are trying to reach and what effect you want your message to have. Do you need colleagues to be aware of something, to understand it or to do something as a result of receiving your message?
Think what information will be most relevant for your audience and the places they are mostly likely to receive it. For teams with regular PC access there are online channels, whereas for those with less regular access there are other local ways of reaching them.
If you have a complex set of messages or audiences, please contact Internal Communications. We can advise you on how to plan, deliver and evaluate your communications to make sure you achieve your aims.
If you are leading or managing a change initiative, the University has developed a standard methodology for managing projects. To find out more, visit the project management web pages.
Submitting an item for the Staff Homepage
The Staff Homepage is the browser homepage for staff using computers and devices on the University network, it offers a mix of quick links, news and updates.
Before sending your message for publishing, make sure you have read and followed all the relevant guidance:
Your item needs to be published on www.bath.ac.uk before we can feature it on the Staff landing page. If you are a Typecase user please publish the page on www.bath.ac.uk before submitting it to us.
If you do not have access to Typecase to create and publish content, please contact your lead publisher to request ask them to do this on your behalf. If your content has been created on an external site, such as blogs.bath.ac.uk, they simply need to create an 'external item' to create a link through to that page.
We've looked at what type of content works well on the homepage, what doesn't work so well, and created a short guide on things you might need to know about items for the homepage.
Send your message at least 48 hours before you would like your item to be published. If it's urgent or about an unplanned situation, please call ext. 6920 or 6069.
There are four sections for news items:
Photo items are for major University announcements and updates that are of interest to all staff. If you would like your message to be considered for this section use this form, please be aware that demand is high and only items that meet these criteria can be included.
Non photo items cover other announcements, if you would like your message to appear in this section please use this form.
Events are upcoming University organised or hosted events, please use Typecase to create your event page or link and use this form.
Service updates give the latest information on services such as IT, travel and campus access, please use this form.
All announcements remain live on the homepage for two working days, where possible, and we will schedule your piece as requested, dependent on demand.
Please note only new announcements appear on the Staff Homepage.
Requesting a tweet to staff
We can help you get your tweet featured on the @UniofBathStaff account. Timing of these tweets will depend on our schedule and other requests.
Complete this simple form and include:
- your suggested text for the tweet (max 280 characters including a shortened URL)
- bitly.com shortened URL of the webpage of your message
- a photo if you have one (unless it is already embedded within your webpage)
If you would like a tweet on the main @UniofBath Twitter and/or Facebook feed, email the Social Media Manager, Tom Mason tmm52@bath.ac.uk
Sending a targeted email
You can email a group of staff in the same building, job family or department. Email is an effective way of reaching people, but should be used sparingly to avoid overloading colleagues’ inboxes. Find out more about emailing a group of staff using a mailing list.
Creating a webpage for your event
To create a webpage for your event you can either do so directly in Typecase or, if you already have a page for your event on an external website, e.g. Eventbrite, you can choose to create a link-only Event.
Your event's page will then appear in the events listing, it can be pinned to the 'Upcoming events' section on a Topic or Landing page and you can submit it for publishing on the staff homepage.
Displaying your message on digital signage
With over 100 screens displaying regularly updated slides and videos across the University, the OneLan digital signage system is an effective way to reinforce your messages to all staff.
Find out how to create and submit effective content.
Submit your slide to be displayed on our digital signs by completing the simple form.
Using A4 poster frames on campus
The A4 posters are located all over the Claverton Down campus, along The Parade, outside lecture halls and at entrances to buildings. As a member of staff you are free to use these to promote, for example, groups that people can join or events that are happening on campus or are organised by the University.
Do:
- place posters behind a protective cover (where available)
- use the poster frames with consideration to others
Don't:
- cover events such as lectures or workshops which are yet to take place
- monopolise the boards
Communicating to staff with less regular access to digital tools
Several teams have limited access to PCs or devices. If you want to get messages to these staff you can use:
- Digital signage
- A4 poster frames
Colleagues can also read print versions of the main stories that appeared on the Staff Homepage on The Wessex House noticeboard, which is updated every week. For further information provide details of your request by completing our simple form.
Team meetings, local newsletters and noticeboards
Departments whose staff have limited access to PCs often operate team meetings to pass on information alongside their own newsletters and noticeboards.
Contact the following people to get your message included in their team meetings and newsletters and on their noticeboards:
- Estates Helpdesk, Department of Estates
- Jane Williams, PA to the Director of Sport
- Beth Jeffries, PA to the Director of Accommodation & Hospitality Services
- Pauline Young, Childcare Services Manager, Westwood Nursery
Communicating your messages to students
To share information with students via email, the website, social media, digital signs or posters on campus, please refer to this guide.