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Performance, Development and Recognition Policy

Policy overview

1 Purpose

PLEASE NOTE: All human resource management policy instruments are currently under review to ensure alignment with the new Enterprise Agreement. Contact the People Portfolio for more information.

To ensure the University plans and manages the development, review and performance of Employees, and provides appropriate developmental opportunities for, and recognition of, Employees.

2 Scope

This Policy applies to the University's suite of performance, development, recognition and reward initiatives and programs for Employees.

The Procedures pursuant to this Policy outline the applicability of particular programs and initiatives to eligible Employees.

This Policy includes, but is not limited to, opportunities and programs for Employees such as:

  • performance management, development and improvement
  • learning and development
  • Employee recognition and reward
  • developmental and career progression programs
  • promotion for Academic Employees.

3 Policy Statement

The University is strongly committed to developing a more highly skilled and flexible workforce by providing access to appropriate developmental programs to improve performance and efficiency and assist in the achievement of the University's goals and objectives.

The University will provide programs and initiatives which enable, support, recognise and reward the development, commitment and achievement of its Employees, increase their skills, broaden their experience and enhance their future career opportunities.

4 Principles

The University is committed to providing Employees with:

  • the opportunity to develop capabilities that complement the University and organisational unit's strategic goals
  • the opportunity to develop career goals and participate in career development activities that extend and enhance the Employee's capabilities and capacity for advancement within the University, and
  • equity of access to development opportunities.

Employee performance, development, recognition and reward are shared responsibilities between the organisation, the Employee and their Supervisor. Supervisors and Employees need to ensure they are aware of all relevant opportunities for development, and plan for and facilitate participation in such programs.

Supervisors are responsible for:

  • reviewing performance and development needs of Employees and assisting Employees to identify and develop plans to meet these needs
  • providing appropriate support and resources to enable development opportunities for Employees
  • supporting Employees in the application of new skills and providing career progression and advancement opportunities.

Employees are responsible for:

  • engaging in discussions with their Supervisor to review performance, identify work and career goals, and develop plans to meet these needs
  • actively seeking opportunities to maintain and enhance skills, knowledge and qualifications relevant to their responsibilities.

The University will provide a range of support for Supervisors and Employees to engage in these discussions by offering a range of programs and opportunities, including but not limited to, the following:

4.1 Performance management, development and improvement

The University provides all Employees and their Supervisors with a mechanism through which to plan, manage, review, recognise, reward and improve individual Employee performance. Through performance planning and review, Employees and Supervisors are able to clarify the Employee's responsibilities, agree on standards of performance, plan work and development activities, and provide feedback.

Performance reviews will:

  • assist Employees to be fully aware of their responsibilities and duties and the effect these have on the University's operations
  • provide feedback to individual Employees on the performance of these responsibilities
  • provide a basis for further professional development of Employees
  • identify Employees whose continued high quality performance should be recognised and rewarded
  • identify Employees where performance is of concern and may require improvement or remedial action
  • provide an opportunity for accelerated or additional incremental progression.

Where an Employee's performance is assessed as requiring improvement, the University provides a mechanism and strategies to support and review the required development and improvement.

4.2 Learning and development

4.2.1 Onboarding

The University requires all newly appointed Employees (except for exam Supervisors, dissertation markers and teaching practicum supervisors (“prac teachers”)) to participate in the relevant Onboarding program, to adjust to working at the University.

Supervisors are required to:

  • provide new Employees with the opportunity to complete the relevant Onboarding program.
  • train and brief new Employees on workplace health and safety requirements and any additional specific training for their job on the Employee's first day.
  • ensure that all Employees receive paid release from work to complete mandatory compliance training requirements.

4.2.2 Compliance training

The University has identified a number of mandatory compliance training requirements which all Employees must complete in accordance with the relevant University Policy and Procedure. Supervisors must ensure Employees complete this training within the timeframes specified, and monitor this completion through the University's performance management processes.

4.2.3 Ongoing learning and development

The University offers a range of learning and development programs designed to build, enhance and maintain Employees skills and capabilities, improve performance and assist in the achievement of the University's objectives.

In addition, the University particularly recognises the impact Supervisors have in the workplace, and provides a focussed range of leadership capability development programs.

4.3 Employee recognition and reward

The University uses a number of informal and formal mechanisms to acknowledge, recognise and reward Employees for exceptional work performance, service and contributions to the achievement of the University's goals and priorities.

Other opportunities for recognising and rewarding Employee performance include annual, accelerated and additional incremental increases discussed as part of the University's performance review process.

An Employee may also be provided with the opportunity to act in a higher classified position, or be offered a transfer or secondment to another position in the University in order to recognise and reward exceptional work performance and/or assist and enhance their career and professional development through the opportunity to acquire expanded or advanced knowledge, skills and abilities.

4.4 Developmental and career progression programs

The University recognises that developmental programs allow optimum performance and will offer a range of formal development programs to support career progression, increase skills, broaden experience, and enhance future career opportunities, including but not limited to the following.

4.4.1 Academic Professional Development Program

The University offers an Academic Professional Development Program (the Program) to provide a period of paid absence for Academic Employees to undertake sustained research, scholarly activity or gain professional experience.

The Program aims to maintain and improve professional and vocational knowledge and skills. As an additional benefit it may also help Employees establish or renew links with colleagues in appropriate fields outside the University for the purpose of enhancing their own research and/or teaching within the University.

The Program is a privilege and is not granted as a right.

4.4.2 Doctoral Support Program

The University offers a Doctoral Support Program to provide a period of paid absence for academic Employees in order to significantly progress with or finalise their PhD or doctorate qualification.

The University will provide a contribution to the work area towards the replacement costs of the salary and the on-costs of the Employee for the period of approved absence in accordance with the Program.

4.4.3 Professional Employee Position Progression Program (PEPP)

The Professional Employee Position Progression (PEPP) program recognises advanced skills, knowledge or experience where duties and responsibilities of particular positions may have the potential to move beyond the current classification level.

Professional Employee Position Progression provides professional Employees with an opportunity to move through one classification level and then advance to the next classification level, where a formal job evaluation of the position confirms the duties have been assessed at the next level. The higher level will require an advanced level of knowledge, skills and experience.

4.4.4 Employee exchange program

The University supports and encourages schemes which provide for exchange between its Employees and Employees of other appropriate organisations to enhance an Employee's career and professional development in relation to innovative ideas and methods of their particular discipline, profession or vocation by:

  • Enabling Employees to work in a comparable Australian or overseas University on exchange with an Employee from the University.
  • Enabling Employees to arrange an exchange with Employees in an industrial, commercial or government position that is directly relevant to the role of the Employee in the University.

4.4.5 Professional Development Leave (PDL)

The University may grant Professional Development Leave (PDL) to professional Employees in order to stimulate and increase Employee effectiveness through professional development activities undertaken outside the University.

The principal objective is to enhance and develop a professional Employee's professional knowledge, skills and abilities aligned with University strategic goals and objectives.

4.4.6 Study assistance

The University encourages its Employees to undertake further education.

Eligible Employees may apply to receive study assistance from the University in the form of financial assistance and time release when undertaking an approved program of study.

4.5 Promotion for Academic Employees

The University provides a merit-based, equitable and transparent promotion program for Academic Employees that:

  • recognises and rewards sustained contribution and achievement and leadership that advances the University's strategic objectives and standing;
  • recognises demonstration of high standards of behaviour and performance in line with the University's Code of Conduct Policy and University Values of Respect, Integrity, and Excellence; and
  • provides an identifiable career pathway for Academic Employees.

The principle of equal opportunity applies to all applications for promotion. The achievements of candidates for promotion are considered relative to opportunity. Due consideration will be given to career interruptions, relevant time spent in business or industry, cultural commitments, and other personal circumstances impacting on performance.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to clearly make an evidenced based case for how they meet the requirements for promotion, in compliance with the relevant Academic Employee promotion Procedure, and with regard to the UniSQ Academic Employee Expectations Framework.

5 References

Nil.

6 Schedules

This policy must be read in conjunction with its subordinate schedules as provided in the table below.

7 Policy Information

Accountable Officer

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Enterprise Services)

Responsible Officer

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Enterprise Services)

Policy Type

Executive Policy

Policy Suite

Academic Professional Development Program Procedure

Determining Equivalent Standing for Academic Promotion Schedule

Doctoral Support Program Procedure

Employee Excellence Awards Categories Schedule

Employee Exchange Program Procedure

Employee Recognition and Reward Procedure

Employee Recognition of Service Schedule

Improving and Managing Unsatisfactory Performance Procedure

Performance Planning and Review Procedure

Professional Development Leave: Professional Employees Procedure

Professional Employee Position Progression Procedure

Promotion to Level B for Academic Employees Procedure

Promotion to Levels C, D and E for Academic Employees Procedure

Study Assistance Procedure

Subordinate Schedules

Approved Date

5/6/2023

Effective Date

5/6/2023

Review Date

11/8/2027

Relevant Legislation

Enterprise Agreement

Policy Exceptions

Policy Exceptions Register

Related Policies

Related Procedures

Employee Conflict of Interest Procedure

Related forms, publications and websites

Definitions

Terms defined in the Definitions Dictionary

Conflict of Interest

If a University Member has an interest that conflicts or may conflict with the discharge of the University Member's duties the University Member should Declare the nature of the interest and the conflict to the University Member's Supervisor as soon as practicable after the relevant facts come to the University Member's knowledge and must not take action or further action relating to a...moreIf a University Member has an interest that conflicts or may conflict with the discharge of the University Member's duties the University Member should Declare the nature of the interest and the conflict to the University Member's Supervisor as soon as practicable after the relevant facts come to the University Member's knowledge and must not take action or further action relating to a matter that is or may be affected by the conflict until authorised. An Executive Leader may direct a University Member to resolve a conflict or possible conflict between an interest of the University Member and the University Member's duties. A reference to an interest or to a Conflict of Interest is a reference to those matters within their ordinary meaning under the general law, and, in relation to an interest, the definition in the Acts Interpretation Act 1954, Schedule 1, does not apply. A Conflict of Interest will arise when a University Member's Private Interests conflict with their duty to the University or to serve the public interest as a University Member. The risk of having a conflict of interest increases where a University Member's responsibilities include the authority to make decisions. A conflict of interest may be potential, perceived or actual - when a University Member is in a role where future decision making may be influenced by their Private Interests if a certain condition is fulfilled, they have a potential conflict of interest; a perceived conflict of interest arises where it appears that decisions a University Member make in the course of their University employment may be influenced by their Private Interests, whether or not this is in fact the case; an actual conflict of interest exists where a University Member's actions could be unduly, improperly or excessively influenced by their Private Interests. Serious misconduct can occur when a conflict of interest is concealed, understated, mismanaged or abused.

Employee

A person employed by the University and whose conditions of employment are covered by the Enterprise Agreement and includes persons employed on a continuing, fixed term or casual basis. Employees also include senior Employees whose conditions of employment are covered by a written agreement or contract with the University....moreA person employed by the University and whose conditions of employment are covered by the Enterprise Agreement and includes persons employed on a continuing, fixed term or casual basis. Employees also include senior Employees whose conditions of employment are covered by a written agreement or contract with the University.

Enterprise Agreement

University of Southern Queensland Enterprise Agreement 2023-2026....moreUniversity of Southern Queensland Enterprise Agreement 2023-2026.

Policy

A high level strategic directive that establishes a principle based approach on a subject. Policy is operationalised through Procedures that give instructions and set out processes to implement a Policy....moreA high level strategic directive that establishes a principle based approach on a subject. Policy is operationalised through Procedures that give instructions and set out processes to implement a Policy.

Procedure

An operational instruction that sets out the process to operationalise a Policy....moreAn operational instruction that sets out the process to operationalise a Policy.

University

The term 'University' or 'UniSQ' means the University of Southern Queensland....moreThe term 'University' or 'UniSQ' means the University of Southern Queensland.

Definitions that relate to this policy only

Academic Employee

Academic Employee means a person employed by the University of Southern Queensland to undertake academic work, and who is classified by the position classification standards in accordance with Clause 4.2.3 of the Enterprise Agreement.

Nominated Representative

Means in relation to an Employee, a person selected by the Employee to assist or represent the Employee. The person may be an officer or Employee of the relevant Union, or any other person chosen by the Employee. In relation to the University, it means a person selected by the University to assist or represent the University. The person may be an Employee of the University, or an officer or Employee of AHEIA, or any other person selected by the University. The Nominated Representative must not be a practising barrister or solicitor and must not present a Conflict of Interest.

Onboarding

Encompasses the complete range of tasks and requirements involved with acclimating and engaging a new Employee in the organisation - its goal is to accommodate, assimilate and accelerate new team members into their roles at the University. It is a continuous process, both corporately and in the work area, that may extend for weeks or months until the Employee has been successfully integrated into the workplace and is achieving an acceptable level of productivity.

Supervisor

Any person responsible for leading the activities of others. In the context of this policy, a Supervisor includes Employees at any classification level or title who have responsibilities for leading, managing or supervising work teams and/or individual Employees.

Keywords

Performance, development, recognition, achievement, promotion, study assistance, outside studies, exchange, learning, unsatisfactory performance, classification, level, progression, advancement, performance planning and review, review, reward, feedback, responsibilities, PDL, leave, appeal, long service, awards, professional development, conference, professional experience, research, further education

Record No

15/2855PL

Complying with the law and observing Policy and Procedure is a condition of working and/or studying at the University.

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