Returning to Workplaces: The Post-Pandemic Employee Experience

This is a Q&A session with a panel of representatives from a range of organisations to discuss the post-pandemic employee experience.

It takes place online via Zoom on Wednesday 19 May from 12pm to 1pm.

This session is in collaboration with Ulster University's Development and Alumni Relations Office.

During this session, we will focus on the return to workplaces and the opportunities to improve the employee experience post-pandemic. The Covid-19 pandemic has enabled the opportunity to reflect on how and where employees work.

It has brought many issues to the fore including presenteeism, management by trust, flexible and remote working and work/life balance.

In particular, it has highlighted how better working practices could support employees with caring responsibilities. Many organisations realise that there is an opportunity for change that cannot be missed, and the importance of consolidating the learnings gained into a better employee experience for all.

How can organisations build the best post-pandemic employee experience as we return to workplaces?

The panel will be facilitated by Wendy Austin and the following Ulster University graduates and representatives from corporate firms/organisations will be taking part in the conversation.

• Sarah O'Donnell (DELL Technologies)
• Gillian McLean (Ulster Weavers)
• Sinead Carville (Fintru)
• Shane FitzPatrick (Ulster University)

Sarah O'Donnell

Sarah is International Communications Manager for Dell Technologies where she has worked for 12 years. She is based in Glasgow with her husband and two young children. With a wealth of experience across marketing, sales, and communications, Sarah thrives on bringing people and ideas together and figuring out how to best convey messages for customers. Sarah is an alumna of Ulster University having graduated in Applied Languages in 2001. She is also a graduate of Dell's award-winning Global Marketing Rotation Programme, a three-year Marketing leadership development programme; and she plans to complete a Business Sustainability programme with the University of Cambridge in 2021.

Sarah is hugely passionate about Diversity, Inclusion and Sustainability, particularly looking at outreach programmes to encourage young females to consider careers in the technology sector. She is an active member of Dell Technologies’ ‘Women In Action’ Employee Resource Group and is a current mentor in their STEM Aspire outreach programme.

Gillian McLean

Gillian was appointed Managing Director of Ulster Weavers on 1 August 2020 after gaining substantial and varied experience within the private (FMCG and industrial) and public sectors. She has over 25 years’ experience of working in the international arena, managing multi-functional teams based in geographically dispersed regions, leading and advising on business growth and investment in over 90 countries. Gillian was formerly Director of Marketing for CDE Global, recognised in The Sunday Times HSBC International Track 200 list, as well as theLondon Stock Exchange Group for the 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain and the 1000 Companies to Inspire Europe. Prior to that she ran a successful marketing and business development consultancy.

Gillian has extensive experience in the tourism, arts and culture, and gardening industries through former roles as Director of Marketing, Communications and Trading for National Museums Northern Ireland, and Head of Marketing for Westland Horticulture.A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Gillian has a first-class Honours Degree in European Business Studies with French, a Masters in Marketing with Distinction, both from Ulster University and a postgraduate Diploma in Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

Shane FitzPatrick

As the Director for the Strategic Programme Office, Shane leads a small team of change and project managers, delivering a series of transformation projects within the University. Shane joined Ulster University from the BBC having worked on large infrastructure initiatives such as Broadcasting House in London, and Media City in Salford.

A Chartered Management Accountant and Member of the Association of Project Managers, Shane holds an MSc Project Management, an MSc in Executive Leadership, and an MA in Policy and Governance from the Ulster University Business School.

He began his career in the Oil and Gas industry, spending the first five years of his career living and working in Africa, before joining the BBC World Service, and subsequently their Technology division.

Shane also sits on the Strategic Advisory Group of the University’s BAME Network.

Sinead Carville

As a Chartered Member of CIPD, Sinead has over 15 years' experience in operational and senior HR leadership roles within retail, technology and financial services organisations.

Prior to joining FinTrU, Sinead held the role of Regional HR Business Partner within Citi, supporting the Markets and Security Services Technology business across the EMEA region and the Production Services business globally.

At FinTrU, Sinead holds the role of Chief Human Resources Officer and is a member of the Executive Committee. She is responsible for leading all aspects of the human resources function and crafting the people strategy to support the ever-evolving business needs.​

Sinead holds an MSc in Human Resource Management, awarded by Ulster University. She is also a qualified trainer with vast experience in traditional and digital training design and delivery.

Please note the link to access Zoom will be emailed to those who sign up to attend.