Handling redundancies and redeployments

4. Where forward planning indicates that a reduction in staffing is likely, the following actions should be considered in consultation with the Directorate of Human Resources, to minimise the need for job losses:

5. If these or other preventative measures prove inadequate, and a reduction in the number of existing posts is judged to be required to align staff numbers with organisational needs, selection for possible redundancies will be based on objective criteria, which will be reasonably and fairly applied. Such objective criteria may be related to personal performance, skills, qualifications, attendance/absence, disciplinary history or other work-related factors.

6. Staff with a disability who are within the pool for selection will not be put at any disadvantage within this process as a consequence of their disability. The University will make the appropriate adjustments to ensure that equal consideration is given. More generally, the University will ensure that no discriminatory criteria are used which infringe the University’s Equality and Diversity Policy.

7. In the circumstances where a reduction in posts is judged to be required, the relevant Faculties/Directorate(s) will produce a report, demonstrating the reasons why posts are felt to be at risk of redundancy. Where a reduction in posts is linked to the closure of an academic programme or course, the Faculty must ensure that it has implemented all aspects of the closure procedures set out in the Quality and Standards Handbook. Any prior actions that have been taken under paragraph 4 above should be included in the report as should other potential ways of avoiding redundancies, the definition of the pool for selection and, if it is possible, the draft criteria for selection, The Directorate of Human Resources should be consulted and involved in the production of the report.

8. Where the Directorate of Human Resources and the Faculties/Directorate(s) concerned are agreed on the basis of the report that post losses are likely to occur, an action plan will be drawn up aimed at minimising redundancies and including clear and non-discriminatory criteria for post losses and redundancies. So far as possible, job descriptions and grades for posts within the continuing structure will be included in this action plan.

9. The report and action plan will be discussed with SMT and then with the appropriate recognised union(s), with a view to reaching agreement. A final report/action plan will then be prepared taking account of comments received, and it will be circulated to all those affected.

10. A ‘provisional at risk’ consultation meeting will be held with each individual employee who is potentially affected by the job losses, and with the relevant union(s). These meetings will be conducted by the appropriate Dean/Director or a designated deputy and will cover the following topics:

11. The objectives of this consultation are to:

12. Following these meetings, the final selection criteria and the numbers of post losses will be determined by the Faculty/Directorate concerned in consultation with SMT and the Directorate of Human Resources, taking account of the outcomes of the consultative process and any other changes in circumstances affecting the situation. A final ‘at risk’ list of proposed job losses will be drawn up and the individuals and the relevant union(s) informed. All employees on the list will be included on the Redeployment Register, unless they have agreed in writing to terminate their employment through voluntary severance.

13. Each employee on the final ‘at risk’ list will be invited to a further meeting with the Dean/Director, at which they will be informed of the basis of his/her selection and invited to submit any further representations within 7 days (or as otherwise agreed between the parties). Staff who were previously on the ‘provisional at risk’ list but who are no longer being considered for redundancy will be informed in writing.

14. Any further representations received within the agreed period will be fully considered before a final decision is made on the number of redundancies and the identity of the employees to be made redundant. The final decision will be conveyed to the staff on the at risk list either in writing or at a meeting convened for that specific purpose. If they have not already done so, they will be invited to submit a full CV and supporting pro forma on redeployment preferences to the Redeployment Panel, and to consider whether they wish to opt for any voluntary severance terms for which they are eligible.

15. Staff have the right to be accompanied by a friend or union representative in any formal meeting held under this procedure (from point 10 onwards), to discuss possible staffing changes and staffing requirements.

17. Employees who have been given notice of redundancy will be permitted reasonable time off work with pay to attend training for future employment or to attend job interviews, visit employment agencies or a job centre in connection with new employment. Staff are on notice of redundancy once they have been included on a final ‘at risk’ list. Staff wishing to take time off for these purposes must have the advance permission of their line manager.

19. It is the University’s policy to refer all posts to the Redeployment Panel before they are released for advertising.

a) If the Redeployment Panel agrees that there are employees on the Redeployment Register who could perform that role or could perform that role if they were appropriately re-trained, the post will be held and the HR Directorate will upload the vacancy onto the redeployment vacancy webpage.

b) If none of the employees on the Register express an interest in the post, then it will be released for advertisement. If an employee on the Register is interested in the post, they should complete and return an application form to redeployment@brookes.ac.uk If the redeployee would like to discuss the post informally with the line manager before submitting an application, they should contact redeployment@brookes.ac.uk (ext 4501) to make the necessary arrangements. The Chair of the interview panel named on the advert pack, will be asked by the HR Directorate to shortlist any employees that apply.

c) If the employee is shortlisted a redeployment interview will be held which will consist of a minimum of three panel members, one of whom must be the link HR Business Partner or a nominated deputy. If the panel feel that the candidate is appropriately qualified and experienced or that ,with appropriate training, could successfully fulfil the requirements of the role, the employee will be offered the post. The chair of the panel should complete an Appointment Panel Report Form from the HR Intranet site, and send it to the link HR Business Partner so that a contract of employment can be produced. The member of staff concerned will then be taken off the redeployment register.

d) If the employee maintains an interest in the post but the Interview Panel members do not feel that he/she would be able to perform the role adequately after further training, the Chair of the Panel should provide written reasons for this decision. Any panel member who does not agree with the chair should provide a reasoned statement to the link HR Business Partner as to why they believe that the candidate could perform the role.

e) The views of the Interview Panel members will be sent to the Director of Human Resources who will determine whether the panel’s decision should be upheld, in consultation with the SMT and the relevant Dean/Director.

f) Employees who are redeployed will be given appropriate training aimed at enabling them to perform satisfactorily in the new post. After a three month ‘trial period’, either the employee or the Faculty/Directorate may decide to offer objective reasons why the employee is not suitable for the post. The employee or the Faculty/Directorate should make a submission to that effect to the Registrar, via the HR Director. The DVC and Registrar will make the final decision as to whether the member of staff will continue to be employed by the Faculty/Directorate, or whether the employee should revert to the Redeployment Panel. If the Registrar agrees that an employee should be referred back to the Redeployment Panel, a further three months will be allowed for a suitable redeployment opportunity. During this period, the individual will remain in the post to which they were originally redeployed. At the end of this period, if no suitable post has been identified, the employee will be redundant. It will be open to the Registrar to extend the period allowed for further redeployment by mutual agreement with the redeployee.

g) The University will seek to redeploy staff at risk of redundancy to a post which carries a similar level of responsibility and remuneration. Where this is not possible and a person is redeployed to a post at a lower grade they will have their salary maintained for a period of up to two years, while further attempts are made to identify a suitable post at the original grade. During this time the member of staff will benefit from cost of living increases but will not benefit from incremental progression. After being in post for two years, salary protection will cease and the salary will be reduced to the top of the CRISP points for the post. Where a person is redeployed to a post at a higher grade, the individual will be paid on the higher grade.

h) The University will seek to redeploy all other staff on the redeployment register. Where a person is redeployed to a post at a higher grade, the individual will be paid on the higher grade. Where a person is redeployed to a post at a lower grade the individual will be paid on the relevant spine point of the lower grade dependent on skills and competence.

21. Redundant employees who have a minimum of two years’ continuous service with the University will normally be entitled to statutory redundancy pay, which will be calculated as set out in the appropriate legislation according to the individual employee’s age, length of service and weekly pay.