Employment Offers to Staff

Human Resources Policy and Procedures Manual

Employment Offers to Staff - Counter Offers

POLICY

In accordance with its strategic plan, the University wishes to attract, retain and reward quality staff. From time to time, external organizations offer the University’s academic or general staff an appointment with remuneration above their present salary and level of appointment. Furthermore, in other cases, recommended appointees to new appointments reject offers from the University which are not comparable to, or above, their present salary and level of appointment. This policy offers guidelines for Heads of Divisions/Faculties to use when considering whether to recommend a counter offer.

STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES

In order to support any recommendation that a counter offer be made, the Head of Division/Faculty will take into account the following considerations that apply either to an existing, or new appointment:

· The strategic importance of the position to the future direction of the University.

· The performance of the incumbent.

· The likely market for a replacement.

· The current salary and conditions of the staff member or recommended applicant.

· The terms and conditions of the counter offer.

· In the case of an academic staff member, whether a probationary review by the Academic Staff Probationary Committee has been conducted

The Head of Division/Faculty will require the staff member to provide written evidence of an offer of employment from another employer, or in the case of a new appointment, the recommended appointee is to provide evidence of current salary and benefits, before a recommendation on a counter offer is made.

If the Head of Division/Faculty wishes to make a counter offer, a written recommendation addressing the above points will be required by the Vice-Chancellor for professorial staff, or the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for other academic staff and general staff (in positions Level 9 and above). Heads of Divisions/Faculties will make a decision in the case of general staff positions up to Level 9.

Where promotion to a higher level is recommended for academic staff, the Vice-Chancellor or Deputy Vice-Chancellor may seek urgent advice from the Chair of the relevant promotions committee, at their discretion. The Director of Human Resources may be consulted in the case of reclassification of general staff. New appointments will be made in accordance with the classification level and within the salary range shown in the relevant advertisement.

For existing staff who have not received an offer of appointment at another organisation, the level of their position will not change, other than through the normal promotion or reclassification processes. However, a special allowance, salary increment, market loading, or performance related bonus might be appropriate.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Position

Responsibility

Heads of Divisions/Faculties

If appropriate, makes a written recommendation to counter the offer to the Vice-Chancellor for professorial appointments, or the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for other academic and general staff (in positions Level 9 and above).
If appropriate, makes a counter offer to general staff up to Level 9.
After the VC or DVC has accepted or rejected a recommendation to counter offer, writes to the staff member to advise the outcome. This should include details and effective date of any increase in payment and be copied to the Office of Human Resources.

Vice-Chancellor (for professorial appointments) or Deputy Vice-Chancellor (for all other academic staff and general staff in positions Level 9 and above)

· Writes to the Head of Division/Faculty to advise if the recommendation to make a counter offer to a staff member has been accepted or rejected.

· Sends a copy of the outcome to the Office of Human Resources.

RELATED POLICIES & PROCEDURES

Academic Staff Recruitment Policy

General Staff Recruitment Policy

Academic Staff Probationary Review Policy and Procedures

Academic Staff Performance Development Policy

General Staff Performance Development Policy

Academic Staff Promotions Policy

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HTML last modified: Wednesday, 15 July 2009
Modified by: Linda Barton, Human Resources Computer Systems Officer, Office of Human Resources, Division of Administration
Document Author: Lois Booth, Manager, HR Policy, Office of Human Resources, Division of Administration
Authorised by: Chris Jeffery, Director, Office of Human Resources, Division of Administration
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URL: http://www.hr.murdoch.edu.au/staff/policy/PH0010.html