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

5.0 UNIT-BASED CONSULTING POLICY
5.1 Introduction and outline
Unit-based consulting is well established in some parts of the university and it is
intended these arrangements will continue. The existing body of Unit based consulting
is significant and provides an important financial and non-financial benefit to the
university Successful and beneficial unit-based consulting will continue to be
recognised as an important contributor to the standing of the University.
5.2 Consent and eligibility
The range and quantity of work undertaken by the Unit will be decided upon by the
Unit and School Head. For full time consulting staff, the consent to consult is implicit
within their job role. Decisions concerning who consults on what assignments forms
part of the normal operational management of the Unit.
However, where the Unit seeks to call upon help or resources from elsewhere in the
University, HoS/
DoPS consent is required. Subject to this consent, eligible staff may be
hired from outside the unit at an agreed hourly rate.
In Units, consulting activities are an essential and integral part of the financial model,
the University does not permit unit consulting staff to consult (or to assist on
consulting) through other channels in order to safeguard unit finances.
Full time Unit staff are thus not eligible to engage in consulting activities outside their
own unit unless asked or permitted to do so by the Head of Unit for Unit-supported
collaborations with other Schools or Units.
5.3 Commercial
The contract is between the client and the University (Unit) and contractual
arrangements (e.g. design, specification, etc) would normally be managed by Unit.
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
• 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 University
5.4 Financial and Remuneration
The income generated from Unit-based Consulting activities normally flows to the
operating balance of the unit.
Consultants in Advisory Units may get ex-gratia bonuses on top of their normal salary
through the staff achievement scheme. These bonuses are dependent on the trading
surpluses of the Unit at the end of each financial year and normally may be up to 15%
of trading surplus.
Where non-Unit academic staff have been involved in the consulting activity, they may
receive reward or remuneration in the same manner as prescribed for School-based
consulting. The decision to make a reward over and above normal salary lies with the
Head of Unit and appropriate Head of School. He/she can consent to a portion of the
consultancy revenue being used to remunerate the staff member in recognition of the
work’s value to the Unit.
The Head of School/Unit 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. See section 2.8 for reward option (which are dependent on staff category).
Under previous policy the
specified amount that could be
divided up and used for these
bonuses was up to 15% of the
trading surplus (subject to the
particular scheme). In this new
policy this is changed to
“normally 15%” and thus the
previous cap is removed.
Where assistance has been
provided as part o f 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 17