Introduction

We are pleased to announce the publication of our new policy, ‘Pay during periods of severe weather conditions/major transport disruption’, which replaces the HR Adverse Weather Guidance for Managers.

The  new policy outlines pay arrangements and responsibilities for all University staff during adverse weather conditions and is based on the recognition and appreciation that staff make every reasonable effort to attend work during bad weather.

In line with all previous and current policies, the University will not normally close during bad weather, but there may be circumstances when a reduction to essential services only is declared.

All managers and staff are encouraged to read through the new policy ahead of winter.

As you know, the University is a member of the University and Colleges Employers' Association (UCEA) that negotiates on behalf of the sector with relevant Trades Unions on the annual review of the national pay spine. Unfortunately, the parties have not been able to reach an agreement on this year's settlement and four of the five trade unions have indicated their intention to ballot their members over a protracted period through to October.

In these circumstances, and conscious of the otherwise inevitably long wait for a pay uplift for staff, UCEA has recommended that employers move now to implement the final offer on pay. Details can be found here. The final offer is regarded by UCEA as at the very limit of affordability for the majority of employers (including Kent) given well known sector financial pressures, and provides a minimum 2% base uplift for all staff plus further increases for those on the first 15 pay points in order to improve the position of lower paid staff.

The Executive Group has reviewed the UCEA advice and concluded that it will accept its recommendations and pay the award in the August payroll. Increments on the new pay spine will then be paid in October. 

The revised pay spine can be found here

Human Resources are pleased to announce the following people practices have been updated:

• Ordinance 41: Redundancy

We are aware of some continuing misunderstanding of Kent’s position relating to pay deductions during the current period of industrial action by some members of UCU.

In brief:

• Pay deductions will be applied to all salaried staff (with the exception of GTAs, see below) at the rate of 1/365th of annual salary per day for each strike day;
• No deduction are made from the salaries of striking GTAs;
• Staff paid by Timesheet are not able to claim for hours they would have worked had it not been for their participation in strike action.   They will however be offered additional hours, to match those lost due to strike action.

Full details of Kent’s policy on pay deductions relating to strike action can be found here: www.kent.ac.uk/human-resources/pensions/uss-industrial-action2018/kents-pay-policy.

The University reserves it right to alter its pay policy in relation to industrial action should it judge it necessary.

As there is snow forecast for Kent this week, here's a timely reminder of the University's snow policy for both Canterbury and Medway campuses.

UUK calls for Union leaders to talk - read the communication from UUK on the Industrial Action web pages

For information regarding the current period of UCU action in response to the proposed changes to the USS pension scheme, please visit our dedicated pages on the HR website.  The pages outline Kent’s position on the current industrial action and include the University’s policy statement, information on the declaration process, and a “Frequently Asked Questions” area where more detailed information about the implications of this action on individuals can be found.

Human Resources are pleased to announce the following people practices have been updated:

• Organisational Change - Policy & procedure
• Redeployment - Policy & procedure

Today UUK have published further communications relating to the USS valuation including a modelling tool, completed by AON Hewitt which illlustrates the potential impact of UUK's proposals on staff pension benefits, updated Q&As about the USS valuation and a factsheet about the valuation and discussions at the JNC. Find out more here.

Proposals have been put forward to make changes to the sector-wide USS pension scheme. Find out more here.