In an email sent to staff by the Chief People Officer, Dawnne Mahmoud, the University announced it has reduced the number of roles it plans to cut by 33 positions after the consultation.
The email comes after the consultation period ended. Staff were informed they would be made aware of the changes to proposals in an email from Interim Principal Nigel Seaton last week.
The email from Mahmoud goes on to explain the revision in the number of full time equivalent roles.
“The original proposals for change envisaged a reduction of 187 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) roles. Following collective consultation, this has reduced to 154 FTEs. In addition, there are 38 new roles created as part of the restructure, and these will present potential opportunities for redeployment for some colleagues at risk of redundancy.”
The email confirms that the University Court will be asked to approve Voluntary Redundancies and Compulsory Redundancies. However, it makes it very clear Compulsory Redundancies will only be made if it is necessary.
“…our priority is to mitigate compulsory redundancies (CR) wherever we can, and we will aim to do so through our Voluntary Redundancy (VR) scheme and redeployment.”
Criteria for Compulsory Redundancies will be released on Friday, the email says.
“We remain hopeful that the role reductions can be achieved through voluntary means, however if we do not have sufficient volunteers we will regrettably have to make selection decisions for [compulsory redundancies].”
The email also recognises the pressure staff have been under since the release of the Strategy to Recovery.
“I know that this news is very worrying for many of you after an extremely lengthy period of uncertainty. This week and the coming weeks will be difficult for many colleagues.”
Staff will be able to apply to the Voluntary Redundancy Scheme starting Wednesday, 26 August.