Terms of Reference

1. Purpose

1.1 Own and guide the direction of the University’s Staff Experience on behalf of the University Executive.

1.2 Identify areas of either exemplary or sub-optimal practice in the area of staff experience and report to University Executive for action building on the strengths of the current offer.

1.3 Ensure alignment between the People Strategy and Strategy 2030 and the values of the University. 

1.4 Act as the main approver of policy changes.

2. Remit    

2.1 Monitor staff attitudes and opinions regularly and use outputs as part of the evidence base in determining appropriate action.

2.2 Ensure that the strategic equality, diversity and inclusion goals are met, through close links with the University EDI committee.

2.3 Monitor the University’s key performance indicators with regard to its agreed strategic staff objectives, with a view to informing proposals in the area of staff experience. 

2.4 Oversee the effective management of the key risks the University is seeking to manage in the context of realising its staff strategy and provide assurance to Risk Management Committee accordingly.

2.5 Ensure appropriate alignment with the Student Experience strategy and seek common approaches to shared people issues where appropriate. 

2.6 Understand and promote benefits to staff and review periodically the competitiveness of the University reward strategy, with a view to reinforcing the University as an excellent place to work.

2.7 Encourage innovation with respect to the University’s staff strategy and policies based on evidence, agreed benchmarks and good practice externally and internally, which are relevant to the University’s success.

3. Governance and Operation

3.1 The Committee will act with authority, as delegated by the University Executive, in fulfilment of its purpose and remit. 

3.2 The Committee will report direct to the University Executive after each of its own meetings. It will also contribute an annual update to the University Court to allow for oversight of the alignment of staff plans with other elements of the University’s strategic plan.

3.3 The Committee will receive regular reports on the development and progress of the staff experience as well as a suite of operational people reports and may commission studies, task-forces and reports as it deems necessary.

3.4 Colleagues are asked to make best efforts to attend personally to ensure momentum is maintained, and to suggest one named deputy to cover any unavoidable absences.