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University launches second Voluntary Severance Scheme
By: Sean Armstrong
Last updated: Thursday, 22 April 2021
The University is launching a second Voluntary Severance (VS) scheme towards the end of the month.
A second voluntary severance scheme was suggested by staff in engagement webinars last August and September 2020 as a way to find savings, This suggestion was then put to the University community in a staff poll, alongside allowing staff to purchase additional annual leave; a voluntary reduction in hours; a voluntary reduction in salary; and the option to take unpaid leave, such as a sabbatical or career break.
The scheme was approved at Council on March 26 as part of a way to achieve savings by voluntary means and reduce the need for job losses.
The VS scheme will launch on 27 April and run until 26 May 2021. Due to the continuation of the pandemic and the short space of time between this new scheme and the previous VS in 2020 the terms of the scheme will remain the same for those eligible to apply.
Director of HR Siobhan O’Reilly said: “Staff have told us that VS is a preferred route to find savings as it is an opportunity for staff to choose to leave the University to pursue other career or personal interests.
“This is entirely voluntary and staff put themselves forward. We would encourage staff who are considering to choose VS to speak to their Head of School, their Divisional Director or department head, or equivalent.”
Our Voluntary Severance scheme is open to most staff and, as last time, we have ensured that the scheme has been meaningfully consulted on with our campus trade unions. Both Unite and Unison have endorsed and are supportive of a second Voluntary Severance scheme.
We will provide staff with a ‘payment calculator’, which will estimate what this package will be. This will be available soon.
How can I find out more?
- We will be holding a series of webinars where you can hear more about the scheme and ask questions (questions can be asked anonymously). We will provide links to these soon via our Voluntary Severance Scheme webpages.
- You can read more on our Voluntary Severance Scheme webpages which include information on how to apply, the scheme’s timescales and FAQs
If you have a question that is not answered on the website or in the FAQs, you can email HRVS2021@sussex.ac.uk