People and OD policy updates

02 Feb 2023

Updates and changes to People and OD policies

Dear colleague,

As part of our ongoing commitment to improving our processes in our People and OD Strategy, we are updating and launching some new policies this month. 

We will be sharing more news and updates throughout the year as we continue our programme of development. 

Contract of Employment Policy and Procedure 

• This policy clarifies the types of contracts that the University uses for different working arrangements;
• Contracts that are subject to finite funding will now be known as ‘Finite Funded Permanent Contracts’ (FFPC’s);
• If a Fixed Term Contract or FFPC is due to expire the notification of the contract expiry will now be at least 5 months; 
• Read the full Contracts of Employment Policy and Procedure.     

Redeployment Policy 

• The updates to this policy have been made to clarify specific roles and responsibilities during the redeployment process as detailed in Section 6 of the Policy and to ensure that the registration for roles and the application process is carried out via Job Train; 
• The Employee Information form has also been replaced with the Redeployment Information Form.  Managers should use the new form when meeting with an employee to explain the redeployment process;
• Read the full Redeployment Policy. 

Policy and Procedure on Induction and Probation Arrangements for Professional Services Employees (Grades 1 -5) 

• The name of this policy has changed from Policy and Procedure on Induction and Probation Arrangements for Support Staff;
• The probationary period for all employees Grades 1 – 5 has changed from three months to six months; 
• The policy also clarifies that the timescales for probationary review meetings can be at least every two months rather than one per month (but with the flexibility, if more regular reviews are required this can occur); 
• Template probationary documentation has also been created to support line managers to utilise the policy effectively;
• Read the full Policy and Procedure on Induction and Probationary Arrangements for Professional Services (Grades 1 -5). 

Policy and Procedure on Induction and Probationary Arrangements for Professional Services (Grades 6 – 9) and Research Employees (New policy)

• This is a new policy to ensure that PS (Grades 6 to 9) and Research employees have a specific probationary arrangement process during their nine-month probationary period;
• A specific template of probationary documentation has also been created to support line managers to utilise this policy effectively;
• Read the full Policy and Procedure on Induction and Probationary Arrangements (Grades 6-9) and Research Employees.   

Disciplinary and Dismissal Procedure for Professional Services Employees (Grades 1- 5)

• The name of this policy has changed from Disciplinary and Dismissal Procedure for Support Staff to Disciplinary and Dismissal Procedure for PS Employees Grades 1 -5;
• The policy has been updated to provide clarity and structure during an informal and formal procedure – specifically Sections 4, 6 and 13; 
• The policy now includes a specific “Appeals against Dismissal” procedure to replace the separate “Appeals Against Dismissal” Policy. This inclusion negates the need for a separate policy to ensure employees have all the relevant information they need in one policy; 
• There are no changes to the appeals against dismissal process;
• Read the full Disciplinary and Dismissal Procedure for Professional Services (Grades 1 -5). 

Best wishes,

Andrew Mullen 

Deputy Director of People and Organisational Development