Professional Services temporary staff assignments

Updated March 2021

The Professional Services (PS) assignments process has been in place since August 2020 and staff took part in an evaluation in January 2021. The Professional Services Leadership Team (PSLT) is currently reviewing the evaluation and considering the next steps for the PS assignment process. 

In the meantime, the process is being paused for new assignment requests and for staff to be put forward for assignment. However if you do have a member of staff who is unable or not required to deliver their substantive role under the current circumstances, please discuss this with your HR Partner.

Existing PS assignments should continue to the end date agreed between the line manager and the assignment manager.

Background to the PS assignment process

PS colleagues have a vital role to play in delivering our University’s vision. We are still facing significant challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the PS assignment process was introduced to enable us to support high priority activities in the short term, such as student recruitment and admissions, the move to online teaching and learning and supporting our world-class research.

Between August 2020 and January 2021, some PS colleagues were asked to move from their existing role to work in a priority area in a different part of the PS on a short term temporary assignment basis to provide additional expertise and support. If you were selected to carry out one of these assignments it would have been on the following basis:

• For a period of up to 13 weeks;
• Into roles which match your skills and capabilities and at the same job grade and pay;
• Instead of, not as well as, your substantive role;
• Supported with all the necessary training and induction you may need.

Anyone who has taken up an assignment continues to report to their existing line manager for the duration of the assignment, however on a day-to-day basis you’ll report to the area you’re assigned to.

Professional Services Staff Assignment Group (PSSAG)

The Professional Services Staff Assignment Group (PSSAG), chaired by Hannah Rundle, Director of Faculty Operations in Humanities, and including other senior PS colleagues has overseen the assignment of PS colleagues. These arrangements are intended to support a flexible workforce as we enter into a phase of post-COVID-19 recovery. They form part of the Workforce Planning activity to be delivered by HR.

The process was evaluated in January 2021 and a report submitted to PSLT in February 2021.