Updated staff FAQs: recruitment, contracts, human resources, training
20 Mar 2020
Staff FAQs will be updated regularly
This advice is correct at the time of publication of this news article.
If you have health concerns then you should refer to the NHS website as recommended by Public Health England, however to make other queries regarding the current situation you can email Coronavirus-info@manchester.ac.uk.
We will be updating the staff frequently asked questions on a regular basis.
The latest questions are:
Can I still recruit staff?
All staff recruitment activity is now paused with the rare exception of strategic appointments which will require the approval of the Registrar, Secretary and Chief Operating Officer for Professional Services roles or f Deans for Faculty roles. Any posts which are currently being advertised will continue to be advertised and will run until their closing date. A holding email will then be sent to candidates explaining that recruitment is paused. Recruiting managers are being asked not to shortlist applications or to carry out interviews during this period. No new advertisements will be posted until further notice
I have a new starter with an agreed start date during this period. Will their contract still be honoured?
Where new starters have been issued with a contract of employment and/or have agreed a start date, these will be honoured. Recruiting managers will be contacted regarding new starters that do not meet this criteria and therefore the processing of their employment will be paused. Recruiting managers will be asked to notify these prospective colleagues about the pausing of the recruitment process.
I have a new Graduate Teaching Assistant with an agreed start date during this period. Will their contact still be honoured?
Where a contract of employment has been signed and returned and we are awaiting start dates to be confirmed, these will be processed in the usual way. Any contracts of employment that have not been returned will be postponed until further notice.
I have a fixed term contract that is coming to an end. What will happen?
Where a fixed term contract is coming to an end then the usual process under the Contracts of Employment Policy and Procedure will apply. Where individual consultation is required this should be done virtually.
I would like to hand in my resignation. What do I do?
Resignations should continue to be sent to line managers and copied into HR Services to be processed. Staff leaving the University should return equipment at a time that is safe and appropriate for them to do so. This is likely to be when non-essential facilities have been re-opened.
Are all HR Services available?
HR Services will scale back operations during this period. We will prioritise activities relating to processing Payroll and ensuring all current staff hold a Right to Work visa. The HR Services reception in the Simon Building will not be open but if you have enquiries please contact HRServices@manchester.ac.uk and we will respond as quickly as we can.
How are we recording absence?
Normal sickness absence arrangements apply during this period and staff should report absence in accordance with normal reporting arrangements. You can find more information about sickness absence reporting during this period at our Staff FAQs. There is no longer a requirement to report coronavirus related sickness separately using the COVID-19 email address or telephone line.
I need HR advice. Who do I contact?
HR Partners will be working remotely during the shutdown period and will be available for email for advice and support on all HR issues. Managers can also refer to Managers Essentials on StaffNet for information on dealing with day-to-day issues.
I have a question about my pension. Who do I contact?
The Pensions team will be operating on a reduced basis. Please contact the team via email in the first instance pensions@manchester.ac.uk.
I have a question for the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team. Who do I contact?
The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion teams will be operating on a reduced basis. If you need to contact the team, visit the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion StaffNet pages.
I have a training course booked with Staff Learning and Development. Will this still go ahead?
As many training courses and learning materials as possible will be made accessible on StaffNet for colleagues to be able to invest in developing their skill set during this period. All training events that require delegates to attend will be postponed.