Framework Agreement – Associate Tutors

Background on framework agreement Benefits of framework Job evaluation Associate Tutor grades Moving to the new structure Timeline for implementation

Framework Agreement – National Picture A national agreement to modernise HE pay and conditions A single national 51 point pay spine Local determination of grading structures – based on job evaluation Staff will be rewarded fairly, with equal pay for work of equal value Market pay may be provided where conditions dictate Local implementation in partnership with recognised trade unions

Framework Agreement – Negotiations at Sussex Conducted through the Joint Joint Negotiating Committee (JJNC) In partnership with the three campus trade unions – UNITE (AMICUS), UNISON and UCU Agreement reached on the grading structure in December 2006 Further negotiations with UCU over Associate Tutors in 2007 Framework Agreement package sent to the trade unions’ National Executive Committees for ratification in March 2007 Trade unions balloted their members for acceptance of the package in June Approval for funding implementation of the Framework Agreement has been given by Remuneration and Review Committee of Council

Framework Agreement – Benefits Staff rewarded fairly – with equal pay for work of equal value Approximately £2million set aside in the budget to fund the Framework Agreement at Sussex Salary progression for all grades – including for Associate Tutors who teach for at least 100 hours each academic year The new grading structure has been subject to an equal pay review by an external expert

Framework Agreement – Job Evaluation Posts assigned to grades on the basis of job evaluation using HERA (Higher Education Role Analysis) HERA was specifically designed for Higher Education and is used by a large majority of Universities HERA examines jobs against the same criteria Based on a competency approach using 14 elements Based on the requirements of the role Role profiles produced for Associate Tutors based on national role profiles for teaching and scholarship

Framework Agreement – Associate Tutor grades Associate Tutor roles matched to role profiles by Schools The majority of Associate Tutor roles have been matched to the role profile for Grade 5 Some Associate Tutor roles have been matched to the role profiles for Grades 6 and 7

Moving to the new structure Associate Tutors move to the first spine point within the new grade All work carried out will be paid at the appropriate hourly rate for that grade Incremental progression on an annual basis to the new grade maximum – Associate Tutors will be eligible to increment on 1 October each year subject to having taught for a minimum of 100 hours in the preceding academic year

Calculating the hourly rate The appropriate hourly rate for an AT’s role is calculated using the formula: Basic hourly rate = rate for 1st spinal point in grade (52 x 36.5) Where 36.5 hours is the working week for staff on defined working hours (Grades 1-6). For ATs on grade 7 and above, the divisor is (52 x 37.5)

Hourly rates as at 1 January 2008 Grade 5£11.09 per hour Grade 6£12.86 per hour Grade 7£14.09 per hour These rates do not include holiday pay.

Standard multipliers The Schools have agreed standard multipliers for certain AT activities. These are able to be varied, with justification. Seminar and other small group teaching involving preparation and assessment 3 Activities not involving preparation and assessment, eg office hours, staff development 1 Teaching not involving assessment and involving basic preparation, eg demonstrating and facilitation 1.5 Writing and delivering a lecture4 Tutorials, usually fewer than 7 students, with no assessment required 2

SLI multipliers Sussex Language Institute have agreed separate multipliers that are more relevant to their work. English Language teaching (standard) 2 English Language teaching 2 Modern foreign language teaching (UG content courses) 3 Modern foreign language teaching (UG language courses)2.5 Modern foreign language teaching (open courses) 2.25

Communicating the change All current ATs will receive a letter in January setting out their new grade. Some ATs, mainly in Sussex Institute, are employed to undertake more than one role and they will receive a letter for each role.

Timeline for implementation October 2007 – effective date of change January letters sent to current ATs January new rates paid March any back pay due from October 2007 paid

Other issues arising from the Framework Agreement Personal development plans for DPhil student ATs A review of other AT roles in relation to the teaching and learning strategy

Holiday pay Holiday pay has previously been rolled into hourly rates. This is now unlawful. From 1 January 2008 holiday pay will no longer be rolled into hourly rates and will be paid separately, normally after the end of each term, eg holiday pay for period Jan- March paid in April. Holiday pay increased from 1 October 2007, from 7.7% to 10.2% of the basic rate. The 7.7% has already been paid up to end of December. The additional amount of holiday pay will be paid by the end of March.

Further information Will be available on the HR website later this week:

Questions?

The New Grading Structure