E1. Principles of Academic Employee Availability

E1.1 Introduction
E1.2 Policy statement
E1.3 Procedures
   E1.3.1 Designated Workplace
   E1.3.2 Absence from Designated Workplace
   E1.3.3 Student Consultation

E1.1 Introduction

E1.2 Policy statement

To achieve its mission the University will endeavour to provide the facilities and services necessary for academic employees to fulfil their responsibilities of teaching, research, scholarship and service.  Academic employees will spend most of their time at their designated workplace to ensure that the needs of the University and students are effectively met; and must regularly advise their supervisor of their work programme and activities.

(Approved by Council June 1998)

E1.3  Procedures

E1.3.1 Designated workplace

E1.3.1(a) It is reasonable to expect that academic employees will spend most of their working time at their designated workplace, to ensure that the needs of the University community, including the requirement for ready access to academics by internal and external students, are effectively met.

E1.3.1(b) Deans and Heads of Departments can expect academic employees to be available for consultation and meetings concerned with teaching, research and organisation.

E1.3.1(c) While travel and off-campus work are normal expectations for many academic employees, the University itself will remain the focal point of each academic employee's professional life.

E1.3.2 Absence from designated workplace

E1.3.2(a) The University also recognises that academic employees require periods away from their designated workplace for many reasons including research, attendance at conferences, and consultation with government, industry, commerce and community.

E1.3.2(b) It is the academic employee's obligation to regularly advise their supervisor of their on-campus and off-campus work programme and activities.

E1.3.2(c) Where an academic employee is unavailable due to commitments such as research requirements, attendance at conferences, consultation with government, industry, commerce and community, written advice will be forwarded to the supervisor.

E1.3.2(d) Where an employee is absent without prior notice and approval from the workplace, the employee must advise their supervisor of the nature and estimated length of the absence as soon as is practicable.

E1.3.2(e) Failure by an employee to advise the University of the reason for any absence in excess of 10 sequential working days will be considered to be abandonment of employment, and the employee will thereby be deemed to have terminated their employment.

E1.3.3 Student consultation

E1.3.3(a) An academic employee may help to ensure the needs of students and the University are met, by reserving significant periods of time for student consultation.
 
E1.3.3(b) Availability for consultation with students should include, as appropriate, face to face meetings and the efficient and timely use of communication technology which may include e-mail, facsimile, and telephones, for distance education students.

E1.3.3(c) The academic employee's availability for student consultation is to be advised to the employee's supervisor and students, and adhered to.