With more than 15,000 people employed within the Australian Technology Network of Universities, the ATN Human Resources/Organisational Working Group plays a pivotal role in maximising staff and organisational performance.
By sharing information on a range of issues, including remuneration strategies and benchmarking programs, the working group is developing strategies which will provide support and advice, in a collective sense, which will enhance the professional development of university staff.
Convenor:
Jennifer Gilmore -
Director,
Human Resources (UTS)
The Australian Technology Network (ATN ) is undertaking a three-year project to look at staff reward and career paths. The project aims to help ensure that ATN Universities are an employer of choice for staff.
As a group we consider it a priority to employ and retain the best possible staff, and the project is focused on ensuring that staff have career pathways available, and that we effectively recognise achievement through competitive rewards and conditions.
The project team is made up of the HR Directors from the five ATN member Universities of the ATN, who are working in conjunction with MERCER, a Human Resources consulting firm who has experience working in the higher education sector.
As part of the project we will be drawing on staff input received in our recent Staff Survey, and asking a cross-section of staff to contribute ideas and suggestions through focus groups.
The research project is funded by the Federal Government and it aims to provide the basis to better identify, recognise and reward the individual performance of University staff and to ensure sustained workplace morale.
Importantly, we aim to address what we need to do, to ensure Australia has a world class University system in the context of attraction and retention of teaching, research and professional staff.
For that reason, listening to what our staff has to say about their workplace and what is important to them, is extremely important to us.
It is this information that will allow us to define, and then consider, possible options for the future that can impact on your employment opportunities and desired career path.
Mercer Human Resource Consulting has been engaged to undertake the project in conjunction with the HR Director of each University.
The results of their ongoing data analysis – which includes current reward and performance policies and programs - and of the staff focus groups, drive the options and costings the five ATN Vice Chancellors will be asked to consider in the final quarter of this year.
For further information please contact the following people at your University:
QUT:
Meagan Roberts
RMIT:
Lawrence D'lima
Curtin: Bill Ryan
UniSA: Greg
Charnley
UTS:
Peter Fox
The Australian Technology Network (ATN) of Universities (which includes
Curtin University, RMIT University, University of South Australia,
University of Technology, Sydney and QUT), together with Mercer Human
Resource Consulting.
What will the model look like?
How long will the project take?
The project will take place over a three-year period, 2008-2010.
How will staff and unions be involved?
Organisation Learning & Development
The group has continued to share information on professional development strategies and approaches to Organisational Capability building. It has also encouraged more interaction amongst HR staff seeking to share ideas and information between institutions either through campus visits or through ATN discussions at conferences and seminars.