UK universities axe thousands of jobs during pandemic

University of Manchester records highest number of job losses during coronavirus crisis, according to Freedom of Information responses

Published on
December 8, 2020
Last updated
December 8, 2020
Anna McKie
England team carry back their chairs after a team photo.
Source: Getty
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Reader's comments (6)

#1 Submitted by cactus77 on December 8, 2020 - 7:55am
Sadly many of these job cuts will be from support staff and not from the academic community, which at many institutions needs a rank and file review. The efficiency of academic and research resources remains woefully overlooked at many institutions and is responsible for many wasteful endeavours and activities that weight heavily on university finances.
#2 Submitted by SeanieFinneran on December 8, 2020 - 8:18am
The real villains are the outsourced entities such as catering companies and international pathway providers who were very quick to make large numbers of permanent staff redundant.
#3 Submitted by DrNuts on December 8, 2020 - 8:36am
Quite apart from the end of fixed term contracts (which may have been specific projects allied to funding) it would be good to know whether these are actual 'hard' redundancies (as in the staff had no choice but to go) or voluntary severance packages which for longer service staff are a no-brainer. Eg 63 y/o, 3 years off retirement, package makes up the difference, why wouldn't you? The real scandals are the continuing high salaries paid to Vice Chancellors, the persistence of bullying cultures, and declining academic standards.
#4 Submitted by NJF on December 9, 2020 - 11:06am
"no-brainer. Eg 63 y/o, 3 years off retirement, package makes up the difference, why wouldn't you?" Because in some Universities the offer was less than a years salary, even with long service and the associated pension taken early the shortfall was too much for many, though for some staff having suffered years of bullying and unreasonable workloads it was enough to enable their escape. Now comes the 'out-sourcing' of key support in facilities (estates) and voice actors to deliver courses on-line with the massive cost savings associated, IF you believe the hype.
#5 Submitted by elena.... on December 8, 2020 - 10:59am
There are also the vacant roles that have not been filled after staff left. In my institution we are suffering having lost staff when we the workload has increased, but the senior management can report that there have been no redundancies. The pressure on the remaining staff is unsustainable
#6 Submitted by NJF on December 9, 2020 - 11:07am
BOHICA!

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