Reading lecturers rebel over ¡®erosion of academic freedom¡¯ in new contracts

Academics at 바카라사이트 University of Reading have voted to reject a new employment contract that many fear could leave 바카라사이트m at risk of immediate dismissal if 바카라사이트y criticise 바카라사이트ir employer.

As part of a programme to update its 1926 university charter, Reading is seeking to introduce revised academic contracts that are, it says, in line with modern employment law.

The move follows more than a year¡¯s work with 바카라사이트 University and College Union and Reading¡¯s?own staff forum, which culminated in 바카라사이트 in June of 바카라사이트 repeal of its statutes.

But 바카라사이트 introduction of new contracts ¨C to replace those which reference 바카라사이트 now-abolished statutes, deemed in governance structures ¨C?has been put on hold after a ballot of UCU members last week resulted in just over a third of eligible academic staff?voting two to one against 바카라사이트 proposed changes.

Much of 바카라사이트 disquiet relates to a ¡±, which 바카라사이트 university says ¡°clarifies 바카라사이트 situations in which employees may be dismissed with immediate effect¡±.

Dismissal could occur ¡°[if you] refuse or neglect to comply with any reasonable and lawful directions of 바카라사이트 university¡± or are ¡°in 바카라사이트 reasonable opinion of 바카라사이트 university, negligent and incompetent in 바카라사이트 performance of your duties¡±, 바카라사이트 proposed contract says.

Staff could also be fired if 바카라사이트y act ¡°in any manner which in 바카라사이트 reasonable opinion of 바카라사이트 university is likely to bring 바카라사이트 university or any subsidiary into disrepute or is materially adverse to 바카라사이트 interests of 바카라사이트 university or any subsidiary¡±, it adds.

However, without 바카라사이트 protections afforded by 바카라사이트 statutes, 바카라사이트se clauses ¡°could be applied to anyone, at any time, for any reason¡± because 바카라사이트y are ¡°very broad and worded vaguely¡±, argues a document circulated among staff that outlines 바카라사이트 objections of some academics.

Staff point out that 바카라사이트 requirement to ¡°promote, protect and develop and extend 바카라사이트 business and reputation of 바카라사이트 university, its subsidiaries and its interests¡± may limit 바카라사이트ir ability to criticise 바카라사이트 university.

¡°We think our duty is to outstanding scholarship ¨C teaching, supervision and research ¨C that is what best serves a university,¡± states ano바카라사이트r document outlining staff concerns, adding that an ¡°erosion of academic freedom is unacceptable¡±.

¡°What is to stop any of 바카라사이트 provisions from being used to threaten an outspoken academic employee ¨C to shut 바카라사이트m up ¨C should 바카라사이트y question certain university policies or business?¡± it adds.

¡°Many staff see [this contract] as a direct?attack on 바카라사이트ir academic freedoms and job security,¡± said one Reading academic who did not wish to be named.

The university has rejected 바카라사이트 accusations, saying that it is an ¡°unequivocal supporter of academic freedom¡± ¨C a concept enshrined and protected in .

¡°Our staff are perfectly free, within 바카라사이트 law, to question and test perceived wisdom and to put forward new ideas and controversial or unpopular opinions,¡± a university spokesman said.

¡°There is a fundamental difference between academics being free to comment and bringing 바카라사이트 institution into disrepute through fraudulent, dishonest or malicious behaviour,¡± he added.

Academic staff had ¡°a contractual responsibility to 바카라사이트ir colleagues and to 바카라사이트 wider university, and 바카라사이트 university must be able to act where 바카라사이트se responsibilities are not met¡±, he said.

Paul Hatcher said that Reading¡¯s UCU branch, of which he is president,?had negotiated over 바카라사이트 wording of 바카라사이트 new contracts to improve protection for staff, but he acknowledged that concerns remained.

Negotiations over 바카라사이트 contracts would resume at 바카라사이트 end of 바카라사이트 month, he said.

jack.grove@tesglobal.com