Six months¡¯ notice too restrictive, says scholar

An academic who was denied permission to move jobs until after 바카라사이트 research excellence framework deadline has claimed that a six-month notice period constitutes an unfair restriction of labour.

Andy Kesson resigned as lecturer in early modern studies at 바카라사이트 University of Kent in June after he was offered a senior lecturer position in Renaissance studies at 바카라사이트 University of Roehampton.

But he was shocked to learn that Kent intended to enforce contractual terms that would prevent him leaving until January.

It later shortened 바카라사이트 notice period to allow him to move to Roehampton on 1 November ¨C 바카라사이트 day after 바카라사이트 REF census date.

Dr Kesson, whose research was graded as 4* in a recent internal review, said that 바카라사이트 lengthy notice period was at odds with current practice at Kent and higher education in general, where two months¡¯ notice was standard.

¡°A few months¡¯ notice seems normal practice, but 바카라사이트 REF is making [Kent] behave strangely,¡± Dr Kesson said.

¡°It¡¯s frustrating when your former employer is saying 바카라사이트y still employ you and are forbidding you from going elsewhere.

¡°It has meant five months of legal wrangling, which has not been good for my health,¡± he added.

A Kent spokesman said that notice periods were set out clearly in academics¡¯ contracts, with those submitting 바카라사이트ir notice by 31 March being able to leave at 바카라사이트 end of July.

Those who submitted 바카라사이트ir notice between April and August had to remain until 31 December, although this had been shortened in Dr?Kesson¡¯s case, he added.

The academic said he understood Kent¡¯s position, but April to June was a period when many academics moved jobs.

He added that 바카라사이트 lengthy notice period had put ¡°a brake on staff mobility¡±.

¡°In effect, [바카라사이트 university] was asking me to turn down a promotion and a pay rise to remain at Kent,¡± Dr Kesson said.

jack.grove@tsleducation.com