Skip to navigation | Skip to main content | Skip to footer
Menu
Search the University of Manchester siteSearch Menu StaffNet

Guidance and reporting for marking and assessment boycott

19 Apr 2023

UCU has confirmed a period of Action Short of Strike (ASOS) in the form of a marking and assessment boycott, commencing tomorrow, Thursday, 20 April

Marking and assessment boycott

Earlier this week, we updated colleagues that The University and College Union (UCU) had secured an extension of its mandate to take further industrial action over the coming months in relation to an ongoing, national dispute about pay, working conditions and the USS pension. 

As part of this continued action, UCU has confirmed a period of Action Short of Strike (ASOS) with its members in the form of a marking and assessment boycott, commencing tomorrow, Thursday 20 April.

We recognise that most of our colleagues will continue to work as normal during this period and thank you for your sustained dedication and support.

Guidance for staff

This guidance explains what the upcoming industrial action involves, how and when colleagues need to report taking part in action and details of any pay to be withheld as a result.

You can also find more information on our Industrial Action StaffNet pages, including FAQs and how we are supporting students.

Reporting Industrial Action

If colleagues intend to exercise their legal right to take industrial action by participating in the marking and assessment boycott, please note that you are required to notify the University:  

  • that you are participating in the action via the attached form;
  • the date on which your marking and assessment duties would commence (if you were not otherwise taking part in the boycott); and  
  • when your marking and assessment duties would cease (if you were not otherwise taking part in the boycott).

Witholding pay 

Our University does not accept the partial performance of contract of any employee. This means that if a colleague is unwilling to perform their full contractual duties, e.g., carrying out their marking and assessment duties, then the University has no legal obligation to pay any salary in these circumstances.

It has therefore been decided to exercise discretion and to withhold pay at 50% of normal salary for colleagues who are taking part in the marking and assessment boycott. However, the University reserves the right to review this arrangement and colleagues will be advised if this occurs.

Given the continuous nature of this action, pay will also continue to be withheld until colleagues permanently resume full marking and assessment duties.

At this stage, we can’t predict the full extent of potential disruption, but anticipate most students will remain unaffected.

As ever, we are grateful to all those who remain working in the interest of our students and will continue to do everything in our power to minimise the impact to our students and wider community, prioritising final year advancements wherever necessary.

Adèle MacKinlay

Director of People and Organisational Development