Induction and probation

Induction

The purpose of the workplace induction is to make the transition into a new job as smooth as possible. This has benefits for the employee as well as the University. The employee will gain more information about the University and how they and their department fit in to that structure. It should give the employee a glimpse of the bigger picture and the People Development team go run a regular Central Induction Workshop that employees are strongly encouraged to attend once they have settled into their role. 

A well-planned and executed induction will make new staff feel more at ease on arrival, provide an introduction to the University and essential background information to help the person with their job The University want to increase staff retention and by providing a good induction plan this will hopefully mean that new employees feel comfortable in their roles and in their teams.

An employee's induction also gives the chance to ask any questions and to go over any aspects of employment that need confirming. Line Managers will go through the induction process step by step with new employees over the first few weeks.

Please visit the New Staff Induction web page for further information.

Probation

All new staff at the University are appointed with a probationary period. When a new member of staff is appointed there is an expectation and belief that the individual is capable of performing their duties to a satisfactory standard. This will be reviewed over an appropriate timescale which varies for different staff groups.

Contractual Probation

All newly appointed staff including research staff, Associate Professors and Professors will, unless otherwise agreed with Human Resources, be subject to a period of probation which is normally 6 months in duration.

Academic Probation - Lecturers only

Newly appointed Lecturers are appointed with a three-year probationary period. The procedure will enable new Lecturers to demonstrate progress against academic probationary objectives to be reviewed over the course of the 3 years and for them to gain HEA Fellowship (if not already achieved through engagement with the APP (Academic Practice Programme) or via the FLAIR route. The Academic Probation page outlines how this works in practice.  Where Lecturers are appointed on a fixed term basis of up to 3 years it is strongly encouraged that they also follow the academic probation process unless otherwise agreed with their Head of School and Human Resources which may take into account the reasons for the appointment, experience of the appointee and expected length and FTE of the appointment