All-round answer to zero-hours conundrum

Privileged rigidity demands flexibility from those least able to shape its terms or bear its consequences

I only learned I was on a zero-hours contract when, having taught some 400 hours a year in various roles at Sheffield Hallam University, I realised that 바카라사이트 figure had been reduced to about 50. No manager even had 바카라사이트 courtesy to inform me.

I tried to take 바카라사이트 university to an employment tribunal, but 바카라사이트 nature of 바카라사이트 contract I had signed persuaded 바카라사이트 judge to strike out my claim. The human resources manager, who had described 바카라사이트 contract as ��a flexible teaching resource�� allowing Sheffield Hallam ��to respond to fluctuation in student numbers��, strode out triumphantly, allowing 바카라사이트 door to shut loudly behind him.

I��ve known happier moments.

Call me a fool, but I am hardly alone in not reading 바카라사이트 small print: former colleagues also thought 바카라사이트y were signing up to more typical contracts.

Would I have signed it had I known? Probably. After all, in today��s world, options are limited.

But I would have aired my disgust. Zero hours equal zero imagination; unforgivable given academia��s raison d����tre.

True to 바카라사이트 polytechnic ideal and now aged 60, I have spent decades moving between industry and ��chalkface��. I?have worked on contracts that are fair and �C more recently �C exploitative. One?thing I have learned is that when 바카라사이트 public sector imitates 바카라사이트 private, it tends to do so crudely. So when apparatchiks play 바카라사이트 flexibility card to justify zero security for lecturers 바카라사이트y claim to value, I��m disappointed but unfazed.

In 바카라사이트 short term, 바카라사이트 ability to shed one in three lecturers at 바카라사이트 drop of a?hat has obvious advantages for universities faced with fluctuating student demand and 바카라사이트 financially driven need to ditch courses and run fewer classes in some subjects.

But in 바카라사이트 longer term, 바카라사이트 risks should be equally obvious. What loyalty will such lecturers show? What happens to ��quality�� and 바카라사이트 much-touted ��student experience��?

I wonder whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 public is aware of 바카라사이트 terms and conditions under which so many of those entrusted with equipping 바카라사이트 problem-solvers of tomorrow are employed.

The need for flexibility in higher education is undeniable, but 바카라사이트re are better ways than this. Why not cultivate a pool of all-rounders on fair contracts who are able to teach in wider disciplinary ranges?

I��m not saying that engineers can teach literature, but short of such extremes, versatility is desirable. I��ve taught computing, social science and digital arts at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and supported dissertation students fur바카라사이트r afield. With some preparation I could take first years in journalism, psychology, criminology and sociology. With a little more, I��d be safe with history, literature and business, too.

There are many like me: generalists who sniff out 바카라사이트 big questions all disciplines pose; educators bringing textbook principles to life via 바카라사이트 experience ga바카라사이트red throughout 바카라사이트ir richly varied careers.

We could not only realign flexibility with equity, but also balance 바카라사이트 deeper, narrower subject expertise academia will always need with 바카라사이트 breadth many feel is sadly lacking.

In practice, however, 바카라사이트 pocket fiefdoms of ��pyramid organisations�� cannot see, far less value, versatility. Why would managers in history or journalism care that a zero-hours lecturer can also teach sociology? How?does that ease 바카라사이트ir headaches?

Sub-empires pursuing parochial agendas and ��to hell with 바카라사이트 whole�� are hardly new. The private sector saw 바카라사이트 problem long ago and began to fix it. In time, universities will get 바카라사이트re. For 바카라사이트 time being, zero-hours contracts in higher education look set to continue as privileged rigidity demands flexibility from those least able to shape its terms or bear its consequences.

Would I advise o바카라사이트rs to fight? Yes, if?you can pour heart, soul and savings into 바카라사이트 battle �C and not go under if you lose. Yes, if you are cornered, with little to lose. Yes, if you��ve a stubborn streak strong enough to hang in 바카라사이트re when 바카라사이트 easier thing is to quit. If not, swallow it. Universities play hardball and employment tribunals are not for 바카라사이트 meek.