There are currently differences in the terms and conditions that apply to posts graded 1-4 and posts graded 5-9 (e.g., annual leave entitlement, sickness leave entitlement, overtime and public holiday working arrangements and pre-retirement leave). Negotiations are underway with the aim of harmonising these key terms and conditions so that there is consistency across all grades.
The current proposal seeks to increase annual leave and sickness entitlement for staff in posts graded 1-4 by matching to the entitlements for staff in posts graded 5-9. Negotiations are continuing to consider arrangements pertaining to overtime, public holiday working and pre-retirement leave in the context of the proposed increases in annual leave and sickness leave.
As part of a national agreement, agreed through New JNCHES, universities made a commitment to consider the introduction of a 35-hour working week. This commitment is on the basis of no associated pay reduction for staff (with our current full time working weeks being 36.5 hours for Grades 1-4 and 37.5 hours for Grades 5-9).
The University is committed to moving to a 35-hour week and the Group are negotiating how we do so, in the context of harmonisation of terms and conditions as well considering the potential impact that moving to a 35-hour week has financially as well as operationally.
Updates will be provided as the negotiations progress.
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