1. The University has a well-articulated vision that enables all staff to understand the direction of travel of the institution, its ambitions and priorities

2. Consistent with the University's goals, all academic and administrative departments have a vision that sets out their specific ambitions and priorities

3. The University articulates and amplifies its character and strengths to its staff, enabling them to understand and explain its reputation to third parties

4. Excellent communication skills is an essential selection criterion for all senior executive and heads of department positions

5. Internal staff communications is an integral part of University decision-making

6. The senior executive team contextualise the environment for their staff (political, policy, economic and social)

7. The senior executive team distil and clarify key messages for staff

8. The senior executive team is highly visible and communicate regularly and intelligently with their staff face-to-face

9. There is a robust corporate strategy for internal staff communications

10. Staff communications is effectively operationalized and resourced to ensure that it is effective and impactful

11. Heads of both academic and service departments understand their critical role in delivering effective staff communications and have systems and protocols to facilitate this

12. Staff communications is regularly reviewed to highlight needs, gaps and evaluate effectiveness

13. University news, events and success stories are communicated to staff effectively

14. There are channels for disseminating and accessing local news around and between departments

15. Important and urgent news reaches staff swiftly

16. Innovation and creativity is in evidence in staff communications

17. Staff have comprehensive access to the policies, plans and information they need to do their jobs

18. Committees, formal meetings and working groups are effective in terms of sharing information and communicating decisions

19. There is an effective email system and policy in operation

20. There is an effective University website in operation

21. The University is easy to navigate physically

22. The campus environment amplifies the University's personality and engenders staff pride and affinity

23. The campus estate is conducive to good communications and networking

24. All staff are fully connected to the University regardless of their campus location, both physically and in terms of access to decision-making

25. There is a culture and professional process that encourages staff to communicate effectively/network with colleagues in other departments

26. There is a social programme that brings staff together outside of the working environment, encouraging them to feel part of a wider University team

27.  Staff communications are designed to be fully inclusive, taking into account disabilities and cultural issues

28. Staff and managers are well prepared for crises

29. Staff can be contacted in an emergency

30. Essential security and safety information is effectively disseminated to managers and staff

31. The University strives to ensure that through the recruitment process, prospective employees gain a good understanding of the University's history, achievements, vision, ambitions and personality

32. All new staff receive timely and effective inductions to the University

33. Staff who have a front-of-house role for the University or department are developed to be effective communicators

34. There is a comprehensive appraisal system that reinforces objectives, celebrates achievements and allows for discussion about the effectiveness of internal communications and staff engagement

35.  All leavers are communicated with effectively and are given the opportunity to provide constructive feedback, including comments regarding staff communications and engagement