Key updates from the Director of Human Resources
Wednesday, 09 October 2013
As we start a new term I thought it would be useful to update you on the work we've been doing under the Promoting Excellence banner, and introduce some further developments that will launch shortly.
Rewarding staff
The new arrangements for rewarding staff continue to highlight the excellent work being carried out by many colleagues across the University.
During the last academic session 315 colleagues received Lump Sum awards and over 500 Celebrating Success vouchers were issued following recommendations by line managers and colleagues.
The Faculty and Service-based Reward Committees considered 103 cases for additional increments, contribution points and merit-based promotion, of which 94 were successful.
The budget for rewarding staff was doubled last session and that level of investment has been maintained. The various awards reflect the Values and Behaviours for Working Together, launched in 2012 - these can be found here >>>
Internal leadership development programme
The project has focused attention on developing leadership and management capability throughout the University. Two cohorts, including members of the Executive Board, took part in the first trial of an internal Leadership Development programme, designed in liaison with colleagues from Henley Business School.
We have learnt a lot from the experiences of the early participants and will take this forward this session.
We also gave particular attention to encouraging participation amongst female staff, running a very popular Springboard event early in 2013, which will be repeated shortly. A number of our female colleagues will be participating this year in a Leadership Foundation programme called Aurora, and we continue to expand our activities in respect of the Athena Swan Charter.
New performance and development review process
Perhaps the most important piece of work has been the development of a new Performance and Development Review process which will replace the current Staff Development Review. There has been significant consultation across the University which is continuing this term, and we expect to launch the new arrangements early next year. The procedure will be accompanied by guidance for managers and staff.
New Staff Forum
This term we will also be seeking nominations for membership of a new Staff Forum for, in the first instance, staff on Grades 1-5; this will replace our existing collective arrangement with the Unison and Unite trades unions. I hope that this will prove to be a lively and engaging forum for discussing matters of common interest, and I'd encourage as many as possible of you to take an active interest in this.
Reform of the University Charter, Statutes and Ordinances
Finally, the University has established a working group to begin the process of reforming the University's Charter, Statutes and Ordinances which, amongst other things, will aim to modernise a number of key employment processes. This will be a lengthy project and will involve extensive consultation, and ultimately require submission to the Privy Council.
If you would like to know more about any of these developments please contact me at j.j.brady@reading.ac.uk
John Brady
Director of Human Resources