Section 2: support staff handbook

2.1.1 University employment policy

The employment of all staff of the University is subject to its Statutes and Regulations. Matters affecting the establishment and grading of posts, salary scales and general conditions of service are determined by the University Council. Council is advised on matters relating to staff by the People Committee. The servicing of the People Committee and its panels, and responsibility for the execution of its policy, are the responsibility of University HR.

For staff employed on NHS Trust sites, where there is any inconsistency between the NHS terms and conditions of employment and your University terms and conditions of employment the terms and conditions as determined by the University Personnel Committee and/or Council will prevail.

2.1.2 Departments and faculties

Each member of staff is recruited by a particular department or faculty but the University (described as ‘Chancellor, Masters and Scholars of the University of Oxford’) as the employer, has overall responsibility for the employment of staff. Departments and faculties have responsibility for day to day management of their own staff, following standard policies and procedures as set out in the University’s HR Support webpages.

A number of departments and faculties issue supplementary handbooks, giving more detail about how the standard policies and procedures are implemented in practice within that department/faculty.

Any question relating to your employment should be addressed in the first instance to the Head of Administration and Finance (also referred to as Departmental Administrator).

Note: in some departments, faculties and other units the role of HAF may be carried out by an equivalent person with a different title. 

The University’s main pay structure consists of 10 grades. Staff on grades 1-5 are known as support staff and staff on grade 6-10 are known as academic-related.

This handbook outlines terms and conditions for support staff.

2.2.1 Pay

The main salary and grading structure is based on the National Pay Spine. The University implemented the pay and grading structure in 2006, following an agreement between trade unions and higher education employers to modernise pay arrangements in the sector, known as the National Framework Agreement. HERA job evaluation is used to evaluate all roles and determine on which grade they are placed on the pay structure.

There are additionally some national agreements on conditions of employment - and their adoption in Oxford has been approved by Council - but most conditions of general application in the University are determined locally, by Council, following consultation or negotiation within the University's Joint Committee for University Support Staff (JCUSS).

Annual pay awards for all support staff in universities are negotiated nationally and implemented in Oxford after consideration by the People Committee and Council.

Details of the current rates of pay are contained on the Payroll webpages.

The administration of salaries and the pension schemes for the staff of most departments and faculties is the responsibility of the Finance Division. Enquiries in connection with these matters should be addressed in the first instance to your HAF or equivalent.