FAQs

If your question is not answered here, please complete the 'Contact us' form on our Contacts page, and we'll get back to you with a response.

Alternatively you may be able to find what you're looking for under the relevant section of our website, or try the A-Z under Information for Current Staff - Policies, Procedures and Processes.

How do I contact the Inland Revenue for tax queries?
What is my annual leave entitlement?
Can I attend medical/dental/appointments in working hours?
How much time can I take off for the bereavement of a close relative?
How do I get a car parking permit?
If I take time off to look after a sick dependent, do I need to take this as annual leave?
When will I get an increment?
How much notice do I need to give if I am leaving?
How do I change my hours of work?
Am I entitled to unpaid leave of absence?
I have a query about my salary payment - who should I contact?
Is there a pre-retirement scheme?
How do I get promoted?
What are the dates of public and customary holidays?
What is the policy for coming to work in extreme weather conditions?
How do I get my staff ID card?
What do I do if I need a replacement card?
What do I do if I change my name, address or other personal circumstances?

How do I contact the Inland Revenue for tax queries?

The main Bradford tax office is at: Centenary Court, 1 St Blaise Way, Bradford, BD1 4YL. Tel 0845 3021432. Other tax offices can be found via: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/index.htm

What is my annual leave entitlement?

The basic annual leave entitlement is as follows:

Grades 1 to 6 - 21 days
Grades 7 and 8 - 25 days
Grade 9 and above - 30 days

In addition there are long service entitlements for staff who have been here longer than one year. Please refer to your contract of employment and also to Section 13.1 of Terms and Conditions of Employment within the Information for Current Staff section of the HR website.

Can I attend medical/dental/appointments in working hours?

Wherever possible, staff should make medical and dental appointments outside normal working hours. Staff are expected to make the most appropriate appointment necessary in order to minimise the time they will be absent from work and must attend for work before and after the appointment, wherever possible, even if this is for a relatively short period of time. Where attendance for treatment necessitates absence for a half day or full day this will be taken as sick leave. Part time staff should adhere to these regulations as far as possible but in an emergency or in exceptional circumstances, heads of department may use discretion in allowing the member of staff to attend in normal working hours.

How much time can I take off for the bereavement of a close relative?

Leave of absence with pay may be granted to a maximum of five days for the bereavement of a close relative (normally husband/wife or civil partner, partner [opposite or same sex], parents, children and dependents). This could include support for a partner who has suffered a loss. Additional unpaid leave for necessary travel arrangements for the funeral can be requested. Leave of absence with pay, up to a maximum of five days, will be granted where the bereavement is not of a close relative but where the applicant is left with the sole responsibility for taking charge of funeral arrangements. Staff needing to attend the funeral of a relative or close friend will normally be allowed reasonable time-off with pay up to a maximum of one day.

How do I get a car parking permit?

All information about car parking is available at: http://www.brad.ac.uk/admin/estates/carpolicy.php

If I take time off to look after a sick dependent, do I need to take this as annual leave?

The University recognises that staff may, in order to care for dependent relatives (including children), require unpaid leave, temporary alteration to their normal work pattern or other appropriate arrangements and it is its policy to agree to such requests where it is possible to make alternative satisfactory arrangements for carrying out the work of the University. Requests under these provisions should be made to the member of staff's Head of Department whose responsibility it is to consider the practicality of the arrangements proposed in the context of the needs of the department and in consultation with the applicant and other relevant members of staff. The request, together with the Head of Department's recommendation, will then be considered centrally along with any request for additional temporary staff to cover a period of leave of absence or temporary part-time working.

When will I get an increment?

Progression within grade is automatic with incremental progression paid on 1 April each year subject to scale ceiling and the employee being in post on 1 October preceding. If employment commences between 1 October and 31 March the employee will receive an increment 6 months after the date of commencement followed by an increment on 1 April the following year.

How much notice do I need to give if I am leaving?

Staff should give notice, in writing, to their head of department in accordance with the timeframe set out in their contract of employment. Notice periods are normally as follows but staff should confirm these by referring to their contract of employment:

Manual staff - 1 week
Clerical and Technician Staff - 4 weeks
Academic/Managerial/Specialist/Professional - 3 months
Fixed Term contracts -notice periods will differ from the above and staff should refer to their contract of employment.

How do I change my hours of work?

Any changes to work patterns must be agreed between the member of staff and their manager in accordance with the requirements of the department. The Manager will inform HR of any changes.

Am I entitled to unpaid leave of absence?

Consideration will be given by the Dean or nominee to requests from members of staff made through their Head of Department for a period of paid or unpaid leave in circumstances which are not covered by other provisions under family responsibility arrangement. For Academic Staff application should be made using the Academic Leave of Absence form available under Information for Current Staff - Additional Information for Academic Staff on the HR website.

I have a query about my salary payment - who should I contact?

The Salaries section of Finance on D Floor of the Richmond Building - ext 3142.

Is there a pre-retirement scheme?

Yes. There is a phased retirement scheme whereby staff are entitled to 1 day leave per week during the period 6 months to 3 months prior to retirement, and 2 days leave per week during the last 3 months of service, providing that the University has received adequate notice of their intention to retire. This entitlement is pro rata for part time staff. The scheme is being revised (Autumn 2009) but further information in on the Information for Current Staff section of the HR website within Policies, Procedures & Proccesses/Departure.

How do I get promoted?

The Promotion scheme is currently under review. Details will be on the HR website under the Pay, Reward and Progression section as and when available. Staff should always discuss issues around Promotion with their line manager or head of department as part of their performance review.

What are the dates of public and customary holidays?

Dates for a 3 year period are available by following the Quick Link on the HR website.

What is the policy for coming to work in extreme weather conditions?

You are expected to make every effort to attend work. If you are unable to get to the University you would be expected to take such time off as annual leave, or as unpaid leave, by agreement with your head of department. The decision to allow staff to leave work early because of inclement weather is made by the University Secretary and communicated to heads of department for circulation to their staff.

How do I get my staff ID card?

Your details will be input into the HR/Payroll system and a computer account will be set up in time for your first day of work; you will then be able to collect your staff ID card from The Hub or the Information desk at the JB Priestley Library.

What do I do if I need a replacement card?

Go to the Hub. If you have lost your card you will have to pay £5.00 for a replacement. If your card is not working or damaged through wear and tear it will be replaced free of charge if you can hand in the damaged card. If your card has been stolen a free replacement will be provided on production of a crime reference number.

What do I do if I change my name, address or other personal circumstances?

Please tell us. You can update home address, telephone number, emergency contact and next of kin yourself directly via Myview.

For changes to name, title, marital status, or immigration status please bring documentary evidence into the Human Resources Office, D36 Richmond, and HR staff will update your record. For changes to bank details please bring your Staff ID card to the Payroll Office, D28, Richmond.