B/9.6 Probation review - academic staff

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9.6.1 Application
9.6.2 Probation reviews
9.6.3 Establishment of Probation Review Panel
9.6.4 Probation review process
Related Documents
Modification History

9.6.1 Application

This policy applies to all academic staff (Levels A to E) employed under the QUT Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (Academic Staff) and appointed in an ongoing position.

Provisions relating to probation for on-going and fixed-term appointments are detailed in the QUT Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (Academic Staff) .

This policy should be read in conjunction with the University's policy on performance planning and review for academic staff (PPR-AS) (see B/9.2 ).

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9.6.2 Probation reviews

The staff member and the supervisor will carry out joint probation reviews as part of the annual PPR-AS process. A final review will be conducted by the supervisor before the conclusion of the probationary period. The final review may be conducted at any time during the period of probation for the purposes of early confirmation or termination of appointment.

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9.6.3 Establishment of Probation Review Panel

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) (for Levels A to C) or the Vice-Chancellor (for Levels D to E) will establish a probation review panel when:

• the head of school recommends termination of the staff member's appointment,
• the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) (for Levels A to C), or the Vice-Chancellor (for Levels D to E) is of the view that the appointment should be terminated, or
• early confirmation is being considered.

The probation review panel will comprise:

• the staff member's head of school, and
• two on-going academic staff agreed by the staff member and the head of school, one of whom shall be from the staff member's school and the other from a cognate discipline within the University. Failing agreement, the head of school shall appoint the two academic staff.

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9.6.4 Probation review process

The staff member may request a support person to act as an observer during the probation review panel proceedings. Where this occurs, the support person will be entitled to observe the panel's proceedings but cannot act as the staff member's representative before the panel.

The probation review panel's task will be to advise the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) (for Levels A to C) or the Vice-Chancellor (for Levels D to E) as to whether, in the panel's view, the staff member's appointment should be:

• terminated - in a case where the panel was established because the head of school recommended termination or the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) (for Levels A to C) or the Vice-Chancellor (for Levels D to E) was of the view that the appointment should be terminated; or
• either confirmed early, or continued for the balance of the period of probation - in a case where the panel was established because early confirmation was being considered.

In performing its task, the probation review panel will:

• provide the staff member and the supervisor with an opportunity to be interviewed by the panel and to submit any relevant additional documentation; have regard to the staff member's PPR-AS activity statements and any attachments, and to any additional documentation relevant to the issues provided by the staff member or their supervisor (Copies of any additional documents will be provided to the staff member / supervisor as applicable, with an opportunity to comment to the panel on the additional documentation supplied by the other party. There is no obligation on the panel to seek additional documentation)
• have the right to request written statements from persons regarding the staff member's work performance (Copies of any such written statements will be provided to the staff member / supervisor as applicable, with an opportunity to comment to the panel on the additional documentation supplied by the other party)
• meet and reach a view as soon as practicable, and
• subject to the requirements of this policy, determine its own procedures.

A staff member can be assisted in preparing their case before the probation review panel but cannot be represented at the panel hearing.

The probation review panel will recommend to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) (for Levels A to C) or the Vice-Chancellor (for Levels D to E) that the appointment be:

• confirmed and the appointee offered on-going employment; or
• terminated.

In the case of consideration of early termination or confirmation of appointment the probation review panel may recommend to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) (for Levels A to C) or the Vice-Chancellor (for Levels D to E) that the staff member's appointment continue on a probationary basis for the remainder of the term of the probation period. In such cases, the staff member would be counselled and probation reviews would be conducted in accordance with clause 32 of the QUT Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (Academic Staff) .

The final decision on probation review will be made by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) (for Levels A to C) or the Vice-Chancellor (for Levels D to E).

Where employment is to be terminated, the University will provide four (4) months notice or, at its discretion, payment in lieu thereof to the staff member.

The staff member will be provided with a copy of the recommendation from the final probation review with the written notification of the outcome of the probation review.

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Related Documents

MOPP B/9.2 Performance Planning and Review – Academic Staff

MOPP Appendix 3 – Schedule of Authorities and Delegations

QUT Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (Academic Staff)

QUT Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (Professional Staff)

QUT Certified Agreement (Senior Staff)

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Modification History

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