External consultant to assess ‘ongoing problems and pressure points’ in YUSU
Close friends: Burton and BaileyYUSU has commissioned an external consultant to assess both sabbatical and non-sabbatical officers in response to concerns over growing workloads and pressurized roles. A sum in the region of £10,000 was set aside from the 2006-07 YUSU budget to cover the audit, in addition to the implementation of any changes found to be necessary.
YUSU President Anne-Marie Canning said: “I think there are ongoing problems and pressure points, and I think this is a good way of resolving them in a professional way.” Judith Court, a freelance consultant, is to undertake the investigation. She will review work distribution, uncovering areas where officers may be particularly stressed or struggling to cope with their workload, and determine whether there is room for manoeuvre within the team.
Canning was quick to stress that this is not a knee-jerk reaction to a human resource crisis, instead describing it as a necessary procedure. “We don’t feel the need to go through these sorts of things,” she said, adding: “We’re prudent with our money. We’ve seen this as an investment”. If changes are advised, it is likely they will be enforced alongside the governance review later this term. “If there are changes to be made, I want people to understand them. I think we’ve been in situations before when constitutions have just ‘appeared’,” said Canning.
On whether the Union anticipates any resentment from JCRCs over this use of YUSU money for such a project, she said: “I don’t think the college chairs would criticise. I think everyone’s getting a fair slice of the pie at the moment”. Although the predicament has not been tackled internally prior to the audit, Canning said, “sometimes we shuffle around; if an officer is overloaded, I email out the team saying ‘Can we help here?’” YUSU Student Development and Charities Officer Joey Ellis said: “everyone in the office works very hard, they do what they have to do.”
Canning denied that pressure had been placed on YUSU to assess the roles, saying: “We all knew it needed doing,” adding: “I’m not saying we’re in a mess or anything.”
A similar audit four years ago revealed the then Education and Welfare Officer was under “extreme” pressure, resulting in the creation of a Union Manager post, currently filled by Jolene Jesserman. Canning suggested YUSU have struggled with both intensive workloads and confusion over officer’s responsibilities in the years since.
Court will also address fears that Union work is detrimental to non-sabbatical officer’s degrees. Officers will be interviewed, and welfare officers will be consulted over the number of officers seeking support in coping with their positions.
Anonymous Coward
Erm…
Jolene has been in post for more than four years.
The post that was created was the full time welfare worker.
Get yer facts right