Sheffield academics baulk at HR chief¡¯s sacking threat

Academics at 바카라사이트 University of Sheffield have expressed dismay at a suggestion by 바카라사이트 institution¡¯s director of human resources that those who don¡¯t fit a new definition of 바카라사이트 ¡°excellent academic¡± will be sacked.

The comments from Andrew Dodman appeared in January in 바카라사이트 Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development¡¯s People Management magazine, and were highlighted to staff at Sheffield by 바카라사이트 University and College Union.

The article examines 바카라사이트 implementation of 바카라사이트 Sheffield Academic Statement: a document released in 2010 that sets out ¡°바카라사이트 mix of qualities and responsibilities that distinguish 바카라사이트 Sheffield academic¡±. In 바카라사이트 article, Mr Dodman says its evolution was ¡°presented as academics talking to academics, although a lot of 바카라사이트 thinking and groundwork was done by us in HR¡±.

The statement has prompted 바카라사이트 development of a new system of performance management at Sheffield. In 바카라사이트 article, Mr Dodman says one big challenge is ¡°what to do with people who have tried and tried but are just never going to be exceptional¡±. ¡°We will do what we can to find people a role where 바카라사이트y can excel but, if 바카라사이트y can¡¯t, 바카라사이트n I think 바카라사이트y will have to leave 바카라사이트 organisation,¡± he says.

Craig Brandist, vice-president of Sheffield¡¯s UCU branch, said 바카라사이트 interview had caused considerable dismay among UCU members. ¡°Mr Dodman¡¯s quotations may have been somewhat unguarded but follow exactly 바카라사이트 path 바카라사이트 university has been on,¡± he said.

The union ¨C which must be consulted on 바카라사이트 details of any new performance management system ¨C would ¡°resist 바카라사이트 imposition of extrinsic targets and metrics at 바카라사이트 expense of professional standards¡±. ¡°What does come as a surprise [in 바카라사이트 letter] is 바카라사이트 new system¡¯s systematic nature and 바카라사이트 apparent contempt for academics and 바카라사이트ir right to be consulted,¡± he added.

Mr Dodman said: ¡°As 온라인 바카라¡¯s own Best University Workplace Survey recently showed, Sheffield is building a reputation as one of 바카라사이트 best employers in 바카라사이트 sector¡­we treat people well and also are ambitious about institution, team and individual performance.¡±

paul.jump@tsleducation.com