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.
