Adѐle MacKinlay (Director of HR and Organisational Development) and Fiona Ellis-Chadwick (Loughborough UCU Negotiating Secretary) worked together to convene four ‘Task and Finish’ groups to address these challenges in an open and collaborative way. Each group has members from UCU, Unite, Unison and the University’s leadership. The groups have met several times and good progress is being made. 

On the gender pay gap, the most recent data and actions that are being taken can be found here. The Task and Finish group is progressing initiatives in particular around academic promotion routes, professional development, and sponsorship, mentoring and coaching. 

On casual working contracts, the Task and Finish group is developing a set of principles that will govern the way in which we welcome colleagues into the University, irrespective of contract type.

On academic workload, the Task and Finish group is working on revising the workload principles in addition to progressing the thinking on workload during Covid-19.

The fourth group which is focused on these issues within Professional Services will report shortly.