Workload Planning Review Group

Overall Purpose

Shorter term – to consider current working arrangements and demands arising as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and their impact on workload.  Thereafter to inform development of further guidance and suitable interventions as appropriate. 

Longer term - To undertake a review of the workload planning process across the University and develop a framework that (i) underpins a fair and transparent approach to workload allocation and (ii) simplifies and enhances data collection to ensure the effective monitoring of the impact of workload allocation e.g. staff health and wellbeing/the preparation of institutional statistics/returns (TRAC/ HESA).  The review will also seek to identify opportunities where digital/IT systems could be used to enhance the effectiveness of workload planning.

Specifically, the Review will:

Shorter term

• Consider current working arrangements and demands arising as a result of Covid-19 to inform guidance material and interventions as appropriate:
  • Consider feedback received in the Staff Survey regarding workload, identifying key trends;
  • Consider any workload issues arising from the recommendations of the planning groups on campus return, learning and teaching and research;
  • Develop guidance material and identify suitable interventions to address workload issues in an appropriate manner.

Longer term

• Consider existing workload allocation practices with particular focus on identifying:
  • common requirements, functions and processes that will form the basis of the workload planning framework;
  • areas of strength within existing models which could be enhanced further;
  • challenges within existing models which could be addressed through an enhanced workload planning framework;
  • aspects of workload planning where a coherent and unified cross-University model would be beneficial;
  • aspects of workload planning where flexibility within a common framework would be beneficial.

• Develop a workload planning framework that underpins a fair and transparent approach to workload allocation across the University.

• Oversee the implementation, monitoring and review of the framework to embed a culture of continuous enhancement within the institutional approach to workload planning.

Methodology

A short-life Workload Planning Review Group will be established to take forward the review with a focus on the short term activities outlined above in the first instance.  Thereafter, with a timescale to be determined the Group will focus on the longer term aims of the Review.  Representatives from Schools/Professional Services Directorates will play a key part in the review and in communicating its findings to relevant stakeholders within their constituencies.

If additional information is required in respect of any issues which arise during the Review, the Group will co-opt appropriate individual(s) as advisory members.  

Agendas

• 9 July 2020
• 21 September 2020

Minutes

• 9 July 2020
• 21 September 2020
• 29 October 2020
• 20 January 2021
• 24 February 2021
• 30 November 2021
• 26 April 2022
• 26 May 2022
• 20 June 2022
• 26 September 2022
• 27 March 2023

• Academic workload report
• Workload Review Group Final Report October 2022 
• Staff Survey - Workload Data Information March 2023