In VC Adam Tickell’s latest “view from the VC”, the following was stated: 

“Finally, someone at the Forum was interested in whether there has been any update to our Hybrid Working Policy. As it happens, this was discussed at UEB on Monday and we reaffirmed the current arrangements. These are that, for roles where hybrid working is possible, staff are able to work from home up to two days a week, in agreement with their line manager and subject to the needs of the role. This is, of course, not a long weekend and if you are needed on site at any particular time, you must be there.” 

Rather than ‘reaffirm the current arrangements’, this now appears to be an incredibly odd way to introduce a major change to working practices across the University.

Leaving aside the incredibly offensive and patronising insinuation that staff may be under any illusion that hybrid working is “a long weekend” (particularly given that nearly half (48%) of staff could not agree that their workload is reasonable in the latest staff survey), BUCU have the following response:  

The current situation: 

VC Tickell’s description of the ‘current arrangements’ is entirely incorrect. The ‘current arrangements’ were clearly set out in the University’s own Hybrid Working policy here. [Note this policy was hastily switched for a new one, now visible on the intranet, around 4 hours after we raised the matter with VC Tickell].

The Hybrid Working policy clearly states that: “Where most work can be carried out effectively away from campus the role-holder may spend the majority of time working from home with more occasional attendance on campus (taking into account the principle that no-one should work 100% of their time from home).“

These are the ‘current arrangements’.

In our negotiations, we have been repeatedly reassured by DPVC Mark Sterling and Director of HR, Gillian McGrattan, that there is no blanket ‘3 days per week on campus’ rule.

We have now quizzed VC Tickell on this odd mis-representation of the current Hybrid Working policy, and his answer is as follows:

“There has been an expectation that Professional Services staff are on campus at least three days per week since January 2023“

Seemingly the Hybrid Working policy is not as it is written down in University policy, but rather as it exists in the minds of our senior management! [and however they want to re-write the intranet whenever it suits them].

VC Tickell goes on to say that this minimum 3 days per week on campus “should apply equally to academic staff in term time“.

These are major changes to the working practices of staff at the University. Professional Services staff have been working according to the University’s Hybrid Working policy since it was introduced in 2021. Academic staff have never been expected to be present on campus for a set amount of time, and are simply required to perform their contractual duties. 

These major changes to working practices have been imposed with no consultation of the campus unions – and they are very likely unworkable. 

BUCU are increasingly concerned that the Hybrid Working policy leaves the organisation open to discriminatory practices. There needs to be sufficient flexibility built into any working arrangements at the University, to ensure that the University is a family-friendly and inclusive employer for staff at all levels and in all roles – and to enable all staff to work in a way that is practicable. Any change to the (actual) current arrangements must be properly negotiated with BUCU, following proper consultation.

One of our proposed campaign goals for 2024 is for a more flexible approach to working practices. If VC Tickell intends to start 2024 by demanding that all staff must be on campus for 3 days per week, regardless of their circumstances, that is certainly not the way forward!

We have now written to VC Tickell and insisted that no changes to established working practices can proceed until they have been properly negotiated with BUCU, the recognised union on campus.

It is now more pressing still that you join us on Monday 11 December for what is gearing up to be our most important meeting of the year – for your chance to decide the direction of UCU in 2024!