Human Resources Division

As announced by Professor Kamal Munir, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for University Community and Engagement, on 25 October 2022, a package of additional support is being provided to staff in recognition of the rising cost of living. 

Further details of the following elements referenced in the announcement are provided on the HR web pages:

The Council and the General Board have approved a new Workforce Policy which is being launched with effect from 1 October 2022. It provides guidance to institutions in making workforce planning and engagement decisions and has been developed in recognition of the diversity of activity undertaken at the University.

From Monday 5 September 2022, the structure of the central HR administration teams will be changing as follows:

The HR Schools/NSIs teams have been renamed the "HR Business Partnering teams" and position titles have been updated to more accurately reflect the work and approach of these teams. The new titles also better align to other similar organisations and support the HR Division’s drive to transform and enhance how the service is delivered.   

Below is a summary of the changes:  

Background

Like all other organisations during the COVID-19 pandemic, the University was required to transform the normal working routines of staff at unprecedented speed and in unprecedented ways.

The various ways we needed to work during the COVID-19 pandemic have now led to an opportunity for the University to explore how we want to work in the future. 

The University is working to increase the frequency, quality and impact of Staff Review and Development (SRD) conversations. As part of this, the SRD guidance on the HR webpages has recently been simplified and streamlined to make it more user friendly for staff and managers. There is no change to the underlying SRD procedure. 

The first round of the Career Support Fund is now open for applications and will close on 15 March 2021.

This new fund is available to all staff who can provide evidence that their careers have been, or are being, disrupted as a direct result of the pandemic, or due to a career break taken for caring responsibilities. Grants of up to £10,000 may be awarded, although it is expected that most will be in the region of £5,000. The Career Support Fund is limited to the current academic year (2020-21) and will open for three application rounds (February, April and June 2021).  

As announced by the Vice-Chancellor yesterday, the University has enhanced the arrangements for the December 2020 closure period in recognition of the significant pressures that staff have been under due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The arrangements are as follows: 

Institutions are advised of the following updates and points of clarification on the University’s furlough scheme. Please note that the University’s scheme currently runs until 31 July 2020. Information about arrangements from 1 August 2020 will follow.