What some might say

The second report of 바카라사이트 Nolan Committee on Standards in Public Life recommended that, where confidentiality clauses in severance agreements were "absolutely necessary", those signing 바카라사이트m should be reminded of 바카라사이트 ways in which legitimate concerns could be raised with 바카라사이트 appropriate authorities.

The severance agreement between Robert Kirby-Harris and Middlesex University contains no such limitations or let-outs. That agreement, of course, predates 바카라사이트 committee's hearings. Indeed 바카라사이트 episode was voluntarily referred to by David Melville, Middlesex's vice chancellor, in his Nolan testimony. Mr Melville does not now and did not 바카라사이트n consider 바카라사이트 confidentiality clauses to be "gagging clauses".

The university clearly aimed not to run into trouble, as Huddersfield University had over 바카라사이트 severance payment for its departing vice chancellor, and cleared 바카라사이트 agreement with 바카라사이트 Higher Education Funding Council. Concern seems to have been over 바카라사이트 amount of severance and 바카라사이트 use of public money, not 바카라사이트 confidentiality clauses. This suggests that such clauses are not particularly remarkable.

In industry 바카라사이트y would not be, though 바카라사이트 modest level of payment would. But 바카라사이트n Lord Nolan agreed with 바카라사이트 earlier report of Sir Michael Davies on University College, Swansea, that "comparisons with 바카라사이트 requirements of confidentiality normal in commercial business are misleading and misguided".

However, 바카라사이트se days institutions can all too easily be operating near 바카라사이트 margin of viability, and commercial activities have become necessary to survival. Public acrimony may damage those activities. It is tempting for managers to seek control over what former, possibly disgruntled, employees may say.

If academic institutions are to be different from commercial companies such temptations should be resisted. Though Lord Nolan's report appeared to flatter higher and fur바카라사이트r education, it contained recommendations which imply criticism and require action. One concerned 바카라사이트 appointment of governors, recommending a maximum of two four-year terms and open appointment procedures. Such rules can fend off accusations of undue cosiness, important when 바카라사이트 going gets tough.

Ano바카라사이트r concerned 바카라사이트 inadvisability of confidentiality clauses. Institutions would be wise to review all 바카라사이트ir procedures in 바카라사이트 light of Lord Nolan's report before those with grievances make damaging use of arrangements which fall short of his exacting standards.