Staff Benefits and Development

We are committed to attracting, developing, and retaining the highest quality of employees. In order to do this, the Union seeks to create an environment everyone feels valued and acknowledged for their contribution to the Union and who feel supported in their career aspirations. We recognise that employees want to be paid fairly and appropriately for the work that they do and that they want their contribution to be valued. Every member of staff who meets our ‘Performance Development Review’ standards are eligible for the annual Pay Award paid from the 1st August each year.

Support and Annual Leave for our Employees

Our annual leave year runs from the 1st August to the 31st July, our employee holiday entitlement is 28 days per annum (pro rata for part time employees). In addition, employees also receive paid leave during bank holidays and University closure days, which equates to around 11 days per annum (pro rata for part time employees). There is an Occupational Pension scheme, subject to qualifying period and the highly popular occupational health scheme offered by Westfield Health (on successful completion of the probationary).

Training and Development Opportunities

We are firmly committed to the career development of its employees to ensure continued business success. We are committed to developing employees that are professional in approach as well as being highly motivated. All this is essential to allow us to develop and grow the Union and provide rewarding career options for all employees in line with personal abilities.

All Union of Students employees are expected to work within the ethos of the Union and strive to achieve the following

To work at all times within relevant legislation as well as structures, policies, and procedures.
To work co-operatively with other Union staff and officers, as well as relevant external organisations.
To adhere to the highest standards, especially of customer service and safety.
To seek to continually develop and improve Unions' facilities and services.
To keep up to date with sector developments, local competition, and student’s views/needs, where necessary undertaking market research to generate such information.
To undertake necessary training and to attend all meetings as requested.
To promote a positive and professional image of the Union of Students to its members, customers, stakeholders, and other external people.
To positively contribute to the organisation’s ethical & environmental ethos, according to best practice.
To become a ‘team champion’ for one of the Union working groups (Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, Sustainable Development or Mental Health).
To perform any other additional reasonable duties as deemed appropriate.

Staff are required to have a Personal Development Plan and to participate in training, meetings or conferences considered relevant to their job. Staff must carry out their duties with full regard to the rules policies and procedures and conditions of service contained in the staff information guide.

A condition of the employment is that all staff are expected to assist in key events throughout the year eg, Welcome Weeks, Elections, and any other key events if necessary. Staff are expected to portray a positive image both internally and externally of the Union by displaying standards of service integrity, punctuality, politeness, and professionalism.