1 Policy Statement

The University may require an employee to temporarily perform duties classified at a higher level on an acting basis.

(Approved by Council June 1998)

2 Procedures

2.1 Appointment process

Acting appointments may be made when an employee is required to temporarily perform duties classified at a higher level.

The opportunity to act in a higher classified position may be utilised as a mechanism to reward exceptional work performance by an employee and/or assist and enhance an individual employee's career and professional development through the opportunity to acquire advanced knowledge, skills and abilities.

In instances where more than one employee possesses the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to act in a higher classified position, where possible and practical, and as part of the University's commitment to employee development, each of these employees should be given an equal opportunity to act in the higher classified position.

All acting appointments must be approved by the appropriate delegate.  The approval to appoint is then forwarded to the Executive Director, Human Resources, for action.

2.2 Allowances

2.2.1 Higher Duties allowance

An employee acting in a higher classified position will receive their normal salary plus an allowance so the total remuneration is equal to the minimum salary of the acting position.

Allowances are paid in accordance with the following table:

An Academic Level A employee required to carry out full course coordination duties for more than 20 days, will be paid a salary no lower than the Academic Level A, Step 6.

If the allowance is to be paid for a period of 12 months or more, the employee has the option to contribute superannuation to their superannuation fund based on the higher level of salary for the duration of payment of the allowance.  Alternatively, the employee may retain the current substantive rate of contribution. 

Additionally, an employee receiving a higher duties allowance will be entitled to annual leave at their current rate of pay at the time of taking the leave. Employees receiving a higher duties allowance for a period of 12 months or more will be entitled to the payment of leave loading at the rate of the relieving USQ Level (for leave accrued at that USQ Level only).

Academic Level A employees are not expected to undertake any of the following duties:

• Administrative functions that go beyond the limited functions primarily connected with courses in which the employee teaches;

• Membership of more than a limited number of Committees;

• Teaching primarily in programs which are offered only at Masters level and above;

• Initiation of course material;

• Development of course material unless there is appropriate guidance from the unit or course coordinator;

• Complex levels of course coordination;

• Supervision of the program of study of honours students or of postgraduate students engaged in course-work;

• Supervision of major honours or postgraduate research projects; or

• Development of program material.

Where an Academic Level A employee is required to carry out any of the above duties, they will be appointed as an acting Academic Level B, or paid an allowance so their remuneration is at least equal to the minimum salary for Academic Level B. Refer to the human resources policy and procedure Position Descriptions and Position Classification Standards for typical duties performed at each Academic Level.

2.2.2 Responsibility allowance

Where an employee is expected to perform additional duties outside the scope of their substantive position for a temporary period, the employee may be eligible for a responsibility allowance.

A request for the application of a responsibility allowance is to be prepared by the relevant delegate and include evidence of:

• Documentation of the increased additional duties, the time period to which the additional duties apply, and the reasons for the additional duties;

• The employee’s performance;

• The amount of the allowance and proposed source of funds (ie cost centre’s capacity to pay the allowance).

Professional employees who are required to undertake additional duties on an ongoing basis are required to apply for reclassification under the Job Evaluation (Classification and Reclassification) policy.

3 Other Policy Information