Redundancies at your university?

[Oh2beatsea]

Are any of you working at one of the many universities that are struggling financially?
Our university announced the financial pressure it's under recently and they are now talking about redundancies. I know a few in the sector are in a similar position and wondered what stage you might be at and how has the process been managed? Have they offered voluntary redundancy first or have they gone straight to compulsory redundancies?
Unsettling times.

The government needs to decide whether it really, really wants a market economy in HE or not. If it does then institutions failing is a normal outcome.

(I don't think we do want this, but none of the main political parties have any idea on how to sustainably fund HE.)

The future is very uncertain. Though I take some comfort knowing that university failure is high on Sue Gray's shit list so at least Labour recognise the problem.

Yeah I appreciate that naming specific universities could be problematic, though universities do publish their finances annually and redundancies tend to be reported in national or local media.

But I agree some insider info can be useful for those academics who are job hunting as well as others with dc going to uni. A friend of mine moved universities a few weeks ago and within 2 weeks of starting her new job was put at risk and has now lost her job! She’d have been safe if she stayed put and she’s not happy!

Parents are having these conversations on social media, there was a lengthy thread on one particular institution in the HE board recently telling people not to send their kids there which I thought was rather harsh. Someone did point out it’s not always the universities making redundancies which might be facing problems down the line.

Someone did point out it’s not always the universities making redundancies which might be facing problems down the line.

Agreed. There are some very respected and established names that are doing the business equivalent of sticking their fingers in their ears and shouting "La la la la la ...."

I agree some insider info can be useful for those academics who are job hunting as well as others with dc going to uni.

While some information is in the public domain (annual accounts), business plans are not, and are not even usually known to most of those who work in the institution. Those who do have access to such information wouldn't (couldn't) comment on social media. So the information posted is of variable value - I know for sure that discussion about one institution in this thread isn't accurate, for example, but I can't say this as I have sight of commercial and in confidence information from that institution.

Someone did point out it’s not always the universities making redundancies which might be facing problems down the line.

I agree with this. This is visible in recent OfS reports e.g. optimistic plans for continued growth in student numbers in many of the long established universities.

its fine discussing names - they are all already in public sphere, QML UCU is keeping a list. but as pointed out lots here there maybe lots of different reasons for the schemes at different unis. It could mean there is serious financial trouble, it could mean they are trying to encourage a limited number of expensive profs to take retirement, or it could be more ideological (see what happened at leicester which has now actually gone through a tribunal before anyone attacks me).

My sister is going through the redundancy . They wanted to reduce the number of staff so merged the schools. She and other few staff were put at risk. Towards the end of consultation there were more number of jobs than the people . But none of them got the jobs after they have been interviewed. Even the best performer was also not selected . Dont know what they are trying to achieve . A natural attrition when the best senior staff leaves ?

Gosh, how terrible for your friend - that's filled me with fear. My place has been through a round of compulsory, and is gearing up for another, so I've been keeping tabs on other job opps- I thought that if somewhere was recruiting, that would be a safer option so now I'm even more conflicted about taking something to avoid possible redundancy Vs sticking around until the time when/if I'm given the actual shove and there isn't anything at all/I have to take a big pay cut/huge commute/both.

I’m at SHU. We have had vast professional services and academic staff expansion in recent years and our staff costs are very high- even compared to similar universities hence the mass cull. I’m also in UCU and we’ve had a look through a lot of the finances/ future planning- ultimately immediate finances are fairly dire but mid term are ok. There’s definitely a fair few other institution who have declared deficits who are significantly deeper in the hole than we. Not all post 92s either.

This particular university has done restructuring in such a way that the most performing school is taken over by the least performing school and the entire leadership team from the largest school got wiped out in the name of redundancy . The entire interview for redeployment process was a farce . I feel sorry for the students who is joining this year as they won’t get the necessary support or teaching Quality for the money they are spending . Destroying people’s livelihood deliberately who had worked hard and replacing them with incompetent “yes” people is wrong . I am surprised that the union is not doing anything . I haven’t heard any other university doing this kind of unethical process in the name of redundancy . I feel sorry for my friend and I am supporting her to get through this .

Here’s a link to the summary of redundancies and cuts across the country. It doesn’t make for a happy read.

https://qmucu.org/qmul-transformation/uk-he-shrinking/

Did anyone else get the UCU email? Quite a depressing list of branches having to take action.

I'm not quite clear why they've picked Goldsmiths for an academic boycott above any of the others making widespread redundancies?

Goldsmiths has been in conflict with senior management for many years, and has a strong union presence. I’m guessing they thought they would get the support there for an academic boycott.

I’m not sure what’s happening with our local strike. 90% of people voted yes but i think that was a vote for a formal vote. 🤷‍♀️🙈. I got my official ballot paper weeks ago (voted no to strike action), not sure when we will know the outcome.

Goldsmiths is getting rid of 133 lecturers, around a quarter of staff, so a pretty big deal. Also it is all pooled so in a targeted department half of all levels may be required to go, meaning some very prestigious prof names are in firing line. Very hefty stuff.

Yep, it’s brutal at Goldsmiths. Everyone has to interview for their job, and no one is safe. I know the dept you are talking about and they are looking to reduce the number of Profs by a lot. Added to that many staff are moving on, jumping before they are pushed.

its making me question whether I want to pursue a career in academia. I’ve only just finished my PhD and while I lecture at a Uni that is supposedly financially secure there is a lack of investment generally within the University.

From Kent....the actual impossible on making 100 staff redundant.

"We'll be working with staff in the weeks ahead on how best to make savings across academic areas, including a limited-period voluntary severance scheme, while ensuring we continue to provide the outstanding and transformative education we are renowned for.”

Voluntary severance launched at University of Nottingham

@JWR

Is that any department in particular?

University wide mutually agreed resignation scheme, open to all eligible staff whatever job family

No talk of redundancies (yet) at my place - but we have a hiring freeze. We have historical vacancies and on top of that several people have tendered resignations and several on long term sick due to workload issues.

Hilariously today at departmental meeting we were told that we should prioritise looking after ourselves whilst also covering the workload and simultaneously providing world class teaching to our students.

BBC News - Up to 150 jobs at risk as part of university cuts
www.bbc.com/news/articles/clww8x4ddddo
And another

Ok we're at round 4 of VS in the last 12 months. Last time it went to compulsory after VS so expecting the same again. I almost wish they'd just gone for slashing big numbers straight away, this feels like death by a thousand paper cuts.

Oh that’s nasty @BlamBlamBlam . Morale must be so low as to be underground by now. VS hasn’t concluded at my place yet so we don’t know what’s next.

In my university, voluntary severance is being offered, and a significant number of people are taking this. Most of the people are rather senior and close to or over retirement age.

Unfortunately, this has meant that there is a bit of a dearth of highly experienced senior staff.

Other initiatives including larger student groups, greater workload demands and so son suggest that the people who leave are not being replaced, and their work is being allocated (when possible) to less senior members of staff.