Full guide to Consultancy Policy May 2006 Page 1 - University of ...

4.0 SCHOOL-BASED CONSULTING POLICY
4.1 Introduction and outline
School-based consulting is well established in some parts of the university and it is
intended these arrangements will continue. The existing body of School-based
consulting provides an important financial and non-financial benefit to the University.
Successful and beneficial consulting will be recognised as an important contributor to
the University’s standing.
4.2 Consent and eligibility
The following categories of staff are eligible to consult via the School-based channel:
• Academic staff in the Education, Research and Enterprise (ERE) job family under
30-day rule.
• Research and teaching staff in the Education, Research and Enterprise (ERE) job
family under 30-day rule.
• Staff at level 4 or above outside the ERE family up to 15 days using annual
leave under the 15-day rule
Staff at level 3 or below outside the ERE family may not consult directly with clients but
may assist on consulting activity.
Prior consent from Head of School is required to proposed consulting activities
4.3 Commercial
The contract is between the client and the University (School) and contractual
arrangements (e.g. design, specification, etc) would normally be managed by the
School. Other commercial rules which apply are:
• University facilities and resources may be used, and must be charged
in line with FEC
• Business may be conducted from University premises and use the
University postal and email address
In Schools where the consulting
activity forms an essential and
integral part of
the financial
model, i t is likely that Heads of
Schools may not consent to
consulting through other
channels in order to safeguard
School finances.
For information and policy detail
on FEC C you are referred to
your appropriate Finance
department representative.
• The university logo may be used (e.g. on letterheads, presentations,
reports etc)
• Consulting activity is covered by university insurance
• Taxation/national insurance matters are catered for by the University
4.4 Financial and Remuneration
Income from School-based consultancy activity is normally channelled to the “services
rendered account” from which the head of school may disburse money to the benefit of
the school (e.g. funding post graduate work, conferences, etc).
Financial practice is governed under FEC.
Income may also be disbursed to those who have contributed to the consultancy
activity in line with the rules governing reward and remuneration (see summary the
table in section 2.8).
The decision to make a reward over and above normal salary lies with the Head of
School. He/she can consent to a portion of the consultancy revenue being used to
remunerate individuals in recognition of the work’s value to the school.
The Head of School may also consent to other staff who have assisted in the work
receiving remuneration or an award in line with University policy.
Only University staff may be eligible for consultancy reward and remuneration and such
rewards or remuneration must therefore remain within University staff employment
policy. The options available within University policy depend on job category and are
set out in the table in section 2.8
Where assistance from staff has
been provided as part of normal
duties and within normal
working hours then reward or
remuneration over and above
normal salary is unlikely to be
appropriate. However, it may
well be appropriate where the
work has incurred some
additional o r exceptional effort
or time.
Full guide to Consultancy Policy May 2006 Page 16