News and Events
News
- WiSci Project launched by Vice-Chancellor - Friday 8 August 2008
- Call for nominations for employee representatives on Zone OHS Committees - Monday 19 May 2008
- Staff files moving from paper based to electronic format - Monday 31 March 2008
- New Australian Workplace Agreement (AWAs) legislation - Thursday 27 March 2008
- University of Sydney awarded 2008 EOWA employer of choice for women - Tuesday 11 March 2008
- New Director of Human Resources (SydneyPeople) - Thursday 14 February 2008
- Valerie Odewahn wins 2007 Peter Dunlop Award - Monday 10 December 2007
- SydneyLearning has a new name: Learning Solutions - Thursday 15 November 2007
- Super Metro Buses for Sydney - Thursday 13 September 2007
- AWA Remuneration Update - Friday 31 August 2007
- Case study: successful placement of several specialised psychologist positions - Wednesday 20 June 2007
- Tax Office to provide tax file numbers to super funds - Wednesday 16 May 2007
- Outstanding leader sought to replace Vice-Chancellor Gavin Brown - Friday 27 April 2007
- Welcome to the SydneyPeople website - Thursday 12 April 2007
- HR Service Centre move to G12 - Services Building - Thursday 12 April 2007
- SydneyRecruitment’s third quarter produces cost effective results - Thursday 12 April 2007
Events
- Unisuper seminar 18 March 2008 - Welcome to new members - Tuesday 26 February 2008
- UniSuper 2007 Seminars - Thursday 12 April 2007
Friday 8 August 2008
The WiSci Project was officially launched by the Vice-Chancellor, Dr Michael Spence today. The objectives of the project, which aims to support and enhance the status of women in the Faculty of Science, are to:
- Identify obstacles which prevent women achieving senior roles in the sciences
- Encourage women into senior academic roles within the Faculty of Science
- Support women to achieve satisfying and productive careers the sciences.
Dr Spence congratulated the Faculty on the project and said that the level of gender bias in senior positions at the University worries him. "Men and women work better in teams together," he commented. "Gender balance is very important for the quality of work across the entire University."
Professor David Day, Dean of Science, presented the background and planned initiatives for the project. He pointed out that, while women are well represented among undergraduate and postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows, they are under-represented among academic staff applying for promotions and in senior academic positions.
He identified and elaborated on three focus areas of the project:
- Recruiting new staff
- Supporting existing staff
- Promoting existing staff.
Professor Day's presentation was followed by interviews with three women from the Faculty of Science:
- Professor Robyn Overall, Head of Biological Sciences
- Ellie Kable, Laboratory Manager, EMU
- Associate Professor Robyn McConchie, Director, RIAP.
The women provided great personal insight into what it's like to pursue an academic career in the sciences. They talked about their experiences climbing the academic ranks, juggling family commitments and travelling the world.
The launch wrapped up with a light lunch, refreshments and informal discussion.
To find out more about the WiSci Project, visit the WiSci project website.
Monday, 19 May 2008
Nominations are being called for employee representatives on all twelve (12) of the University's Zone Occupational Health and Safety Committees.
The Zone OHS Committees play an important role in monitoring and promoting the health, safety and welfare of all University staff. Involvement with an OHS Committee provides University staff with a great opportunity to increase their OHS knowledge, expand their staff networks and understanding of University operations, and improve their consultation and communication skills.
Nominations for the 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2010 term of office must be made on the official nomination form and forwarded to OHS & Injury Management no later than 5:00pm Friday 30 May 2008.
If there are more nominees than vacancies for a particular Zone OHS Committee an online election will be held.
Enquiries relating to the nominations should be directed to Colin Chua, OHS Officer, OHS & Injury Management on 9351 4176 or email
Further information about the Zone OHS Committees is available on the OHS & Injury Management website
Thank you in advance for your interest in the activities of the Zone OHS Committees and participation in the election.
Jon D'Astoli
Manager, Occupational Health and Safety
OHS & Injury Management
Monday, 31 March 2008
From today, all new staff files and new documents for existing staff files will be filed and managed electronically using the University’s Records Online Management system (TRIM). A project is also underway to convert the 9000 active staff files from paper based to electronic format.
Benefits of electronic over paper based filing systems include:
- Instant access to files
- Files can be viewed simultaneously by (authorised) multiple users
- The contents of the files can be clearly and easily categorised
- The risk of files going missing or being damaged is virtually eliminated
- Audit and disaster prevention is enhanced
- Retention periods are automated
- Storage space is freed up
For information for staff about staff files, the electronic filing project and how to access your staff file visit: http://www.usyd.edu.au/sydneypeople/working/staff_files.shtml
For information for managers about staff files, the electronic filing project and how to access staff files visit: http://www.usyd.edu.au/sydneypeople/leading/staff_files.shtml
Tracy Martin
HR Service Centre Manager
SydneyPeople
Thursday, 27 March 2008
New legislation to abolish AWAs was introduced to Australian Parliament on 13 February 2008. The legislation has now passed and comes into effect on Friday 28 March 2008.
As a result of the new legislation:
- No new AWAs will be offered to prospective or existing University staff.
- Existing AWAs will continue to operate, the new laws do not affect existing AWAs in any way.
All the information you need regarding the AWA legislation, including a 'frequently asked questions’ section, will be updated and available on Monday 31 March 2008 on the SydneyPeople website
Information for staff will be located in the Staff at Sydney - Employment Terms and Conditions section and information for managers will be located in the Leading at Sydney - Employment Terms and Conditions section.
Colin Streeter
Director, Human Resources
SydneyPeople
Tuesday, 11 March 2008
The University of Sydney is extremely proud to be one of only 99 Australian employers included in the Australian Government Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA) 2008 Employer of Choice for Women list announced on Tuesday 4 March.
The 2008 criteria contained six new pre-requisites which included:
- a minimum of 6 weeks paid maternity leave after 12 months of service,
- the ability for female managers to work part-time, and
- the percentage of female managers in an organisation be at least 27% or the industry average, whichever is greater.
Employers were also required to undertake a gender pay equity analysis in their workplace and outline how they would address any female/male pay gaps they identified.
Director of EOWA Anna McPhee said, ‘These businesses have moved beyond simply writing policies and providing basic flexibility. For these organisations creating equity is about changing culture, changing expectations, breaking down the outdated myths about women and finally valuing the massive contribution women make to the workplace.”
For more information about the 2008 Employer of Choice for Women list and the pay equity analysis visit the EOWA website
Anne Scahill
Director of Change and Development
SydneyPeople
Tuesday, 26 February 2008
If you’re a new UniSuper member this seminar provides you with all the information you need to know about your new fund, including:
- A brief description of UniSuper
- How your retirement benefits are calculated
- Your investment choices and how to choose
- Your death and disablement insurance options
- How to top up your super with voluntary contributions and rollovers
- Other UniSuper products and services you may wish to access – such as our retirement Pensions and Spouse Accounts.
Details
Date: Tuesday, 18 March 2008
Time: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Venue: Quadrangle Building, History Room, S223
Audience: New University staff
Register online
The registration page is easily accessed through the Seminars section of the UniSuper website. Click here to view the seminars currently scheduled and to register to attend.
Thursday, 14 February 2008
I would like to introduce Colin Streeter who will take over from me as Director of Human Resources (SydneyPeople) as of 18 February 2008.
Colin joins the University from CSR Limited, where he was General Manager Human Resources since May 2006. Prior to that he spent six years at Telstra as Head of Human Resources for Telstra Operations Group and has had senior HR roles with Boral, Amcor and Nampak.
Colin and his team will work in partnership with faculties/units across the University to develop and maintain an environment where staff can succeed, develop and enhance their careers; an environment which helps the University attract and retain a high-functioning, diverse workforce.
I will stay on at the University in a reduced capacity providing mentoring and advisory support to Colin and the SydneyPeople team.
John Dyer
Director, SydneyPeople
Monday, 10 December 2007
Valerie Odewahn, Senior Technical Officer, Sydney College of the Arts (SCA) received the 2007 Peter Dunlop Memorial OHS Award at a ceremony held on10 December last year.
The award, named in memory of the late Peter Dunlop, OHS and Radiation Protection Officer from 1987 to 1992, recognises outstanding contribution to OHS in the University by an individual or group.
“Protecting the health and safety of our staff, students and visitors is very important to all of us,” said Bob Kotic, Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Vice-Chancellor and host of the award ceremony.
Valerie was nominated along with Jasmine Feeney (University Veterinary Clinic), Sam Carroll-Bell, (Faculty of Science), Carlo Piscicelli (School of Chemistry) and Peter Loxton (Sydney Conservatorium of Music).
Jon D’Astoli, Manager Occupational Health and Safety outlined Valerie’s extensive OHS qualifications and her achievements over last 20 plus years at the University. Her achievements include:
- Current role of SCA Safety Officer
- Founding chair of the SCA Occupational Safety Committee in 1984 and representative on zone and central OHS committees from 1992 to 2006.
- Helping develop several SCA policies, the student technical induction program and standardised instruction and procedures manuals.
“Valerie has been vital to the sustained and ongoing improvement of the health and safety of SCA,” said Jon. “The award is long overdue and a more deserving candidate would be hard to find.”
The University’s OHS network consists entirely of volunteers taking on the roles such as:
- Departmental safety officers
- Building evacuation wardens
- In-house OHS auditors
- First aid officers
- OHS committee members
“The OHS network make a wonderful contribution to enhancing health and safety in their workplaces,” noted Bob.
Thursday, 15 November 2007
SydneyLearning, the University’s staff training and development unit has a new name: Learning Solutions. We also have a new website address: http://www.usyd.edu.au/learningsolutions
Our name has changed but everything else remains the same - still the same great service and commitment to increasing the capability of staff. We will continue to offer open calendar programs aligned with the University’s strategic objectives, especially in the areas of research and leadership.
Whether you’re an academic or a member of the professional staff, Learning Solutions can work with you and your team to identify your learning and professional development needs and design and advise you on programs that help you increase your personal capacity and the effectiveness of your organisational unit.
You can contact your Learning Advisor at Learning Solutions on 02 9351 7655, email learningsolutions@usyd.edu.au or visit our website.
Learning Solutions
Identifying needs, designing solutions
Thursday 13 September 2007
Staff at the University of Sydney will be one of the groups to benefit from the introduction of new ‘Super Metro’ buses by State Transit. The trial of the high capacity buses, carrying twice as many passengers as a standard bus, is scheduled to start in 2008. This will increase passenger capacity along Parramatta Road, with a new PrePay only service using these buses running from Leichhardt through to Oxford Sreet and Anzac Parade services via Central and Town Hall.
Friday 31 August 2007
Periodic Review - The University has approved a 2% base salary adjustment for most non exempt AWA staff effective first pay period on or after 16 September 2007.
Generally, the increase will be subject to:
- the staff member having signed an AWA before September 16, 2007;
- the staff member working at a satisfactory or higher performance level;
- the staff member’s total earnings (i.e. base salary plus additional loadings and allowances) not exceeding 125% of AWA standard rates; and
- the staff member having completed six months service and having successfully passed their probation. Staff who are still on probation will be considered for a salary adjustment provided their manager/supervisor believes they are likely to pass their probation.
Salary levels for Exempt Staff (both Academic and General) will be reviewed on an individual basis with consideration being given to any September 2007 salary increase specified within their AWA and any contractual obligations for a salary review.
SydneyPeople Relationship Managers will work with Heads / managers to administer the salary adjustments.
Queries should in the first instance be directed to your supervisor who can direct questions through to the HR Relationship Manager.
More information for Managers: 2007 Remuneration Administration Guidelines
AWA Remuneration– Operational details of the AWA Performance Bonus Plan have now been released.
For more information: AWA Performance Bonus Plan
Wednesday 20 June 2006
Successful placement of several specialised psychologist positions.
Wednesday 16 May 2007
Peter Dutton, Minister for Revenue and Assistant Treasurer, today announced that the Tax Office is writing to 1.85 million people whose super fund or retirement saving account doesn’t have their tax file number.
The letter will let people know that the Tax Office will provide their tax file number (TFN) to their super fund or retirement saving account.
“By providing TFNs to funds and accounts the Tax Office wants to help people ensure they make the most of their super investment,” Mr Dutton said.
From 1 July 2007 super funds or retirement saving accounts without their members’ TFNs won’t be able to accept additional personal contributions and contributions will be taxed 46.5 per cent.
“People who receive these letters don’t have to do anything. The ATO is simply letting them know they will provide their TFN to the super fund or retirement saving account for them,” Mr Dutton said.
“Anyone who would prefer the ATO didn’t do this, needs to contact them within 28 days from receiving the letter.
“Giving funds and accounts TFNs will also help people eligible for super co-contributions get the money they are entitled to.”
“If you have more than one super fund or retirement saving account you can expect to receive a letter for each fund or account that doesn’t have a record of your TFN,” Mr Dutton said.
“While the Tax Office will provide TFNs to super funds and retirement saving accounts, it is still a good idea to check your most recent membership contribution statement to see if your fund has your TFN.”
For further information on super obligations or to advise you don’t want your TFN to be provided, call the Tax Office on 13 10 20.
Brad Emery (02) 6277 7360 – 0414 225 638
Link to press release
Friday 27 April 2007
The University of Sydney is looking to appoint an outstanding leader as its next Vice-Chancellor and Principal to build on the achievements of Professor Gavin Brown whose term expires in July 2008.
For full details and how to apply click here
Thursday 12 April 2007
Welcome to the SydneyPeople website!
The site has been designed as a one-stop shop for Human Resources information where you can find everything you need to know about your employment with the University, your career development etc. If you're a manager, there's also a section designed to help you recruit and manage staff.
We will be adding new content to the site regularly and I recommend you have a look round the site as it is now to become familiar with the content. Then check back frequently to see what's new.
The news and events section will keep you up to date with the latest happenings in HR and any legistlative or procedural changes that might affect you. You'll also find invitations to educational seminars on a range of topics for instance, our current Super Seminar Series.
If you have any feedback on the site, or any suggestions for additional content you would find useful, I'm keen to hear from you. Please me.
Kind regards
John Dyer
Director, SydneyPeople
Thursday 12 April 2007
As part of the process of improving the service to you and your staff, the HR Service Centre is undergoing a number of changes.
Phase 1 of the change saw staff move to new premises at Level 3, G12 – Services Building. The move was completed on Monday 5 March 2007.
There are no changes to the previous phone, fax and e-mail contact details.
New contact details:
HR Service Centre, SydneyPeople
Level 3, G12 - Services Building
353 Abercrombie Street
Darlington Campus
To contact the HR Service Centre:
- Email your existing contact – on their current e-mail from 5 March 2007
- Phone your existing contact – on their current number from 5 March 2007
- Search under 'contact us' in the SydneyPeople website
- Search under ‘HR Service Centre’ in the staff phone book
- Phone the HR Service Centre reception on 1300 850 484
To submit forms:
- Scan and email your existing contact
- Internal mail to your existing contact
- Fax to 9351 5310 (from 5 March 2007)
- Drop into level 3, G12 reception between 9.00am and 5.00pm Monday-Friday
Thursday 12 April 2007
Since inception, SydneyRecruitment has saved the University $108,219 in print advertising costs by promoting the use of shorter print ads, talent pipelining and passive sourcing. According to third quarter results, hiring managers’ satisfaction with SydneyRecruitment’s service averaged 86% for the quarter, up from 82%, while candidate satisfaction remained steady at 83%.
A recent SydneyRecruitment’s success story is the Electron Microscope Unit (EMU) recruitment project. Since securing competitive research funding in excess of $3.2 million late last year, the EMU has worked with SydneyRecruitment to produce a $12,500 advertising campaign for approximately 10 positions consisting of passive sourcing and composite ads in the Sydney Morning Herald, the Australian and a number of online publications.
The EMU’s approach was experimental and included a call for expressions of interest (EoI) for a range of areas of research at various levels as well as defined positions. “SydneyRecruitment were willing, at short notice, to sit down with us and explore options,” said Dr Kyle Ratinac, EMU Research Development Manager and hiring manager for the project. “Rather than limit our choices, we wanted to scope what was out there, pick out the best talent and tailor some of the roles to suit.”
The campaign resulted in 181 applications, some of which were fed into the talent pipeline. “The EoI was an effective way of getting quality CVs into our office,” said Dr Julie Cairney, EMU Senior Lecturer and hiring manager. “They were able to cost-effectively fill existing vacancies and develop a talent pipeline to create and fill new positions,” agreed Lisa Rouse, Head of Permanent Recruitment.
Dr Ratinac and Dr Cairney reported quick response and turnaround times from Fabrice Noel, Recruitment Specialist and Fang Zhou, Recruitment Advisor. However, one area of improvement identified was the need to work closely with hiring managers on the technical aspects of advertising copy. “We appreciate SydneyRecruitment’s help to write copy, however, sometimes the technical meaning is changed, which can have a dramatic impact on the success of a campaign,” said Dr Cairney. Going forward, the technical component will be written by the EMU and the rest will be written by SydneyRecruitment.
“The project showcased SydneyRecruitment’s service and ability to partner with hiring managers to source specialised researchers and technical roles and demonstrates the benefits of talent pipelining,” said Lisa. “We plan to use the project as case study to encourage other hiring managers to utilise our services in a similar way.” “Compared to the ‘toe the line’ practices found in some other areas of the University, we were very happy with SydneyRecruitment’s willingness to take on an alternative approach,” said Dr Ratinac.
To date, six EMU appointments are at offer stage, with further recruitment planned through to June. Since commencing operations in May last year, SydneyRecruitment has filled 660 vacancies, with a further 50 at offer stage.
Click here for more information on the EMU Recruitment Project
Thursday 12 April 2007
Register for a seminar
| Topic | Date | Time | Location | Audience | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intro to Superannuation and UniSuper in brief | Tuesday 13 March | 10.30am-12.00pm | QuadrangleBuilding, Professorial Boardroom | SydneyPeople staff | ||||
| Preparing for July 2007 taxation changes | Thursday 15 March | 12.30pm-2.00pm | Footbridge Lecture Theatre | All University staff | ||||
| Preparing for July 2007 taxation changes | Wednesday 11 April | 12.30pm-2.00pm | Carslaw Lecture Theatre 159 | All University staff | ||||
| Preparing for July 2007 taxation changes | Tuesday 3 April | 12.30pm-2.00pm | Cumberland Campus Seminar S133 | All University staff | ||||
| UniSuper Pension Product Changes | Thursday 10 May | 12.30pm-2.00pm | Footbridge Lecture Theatre | All University staff | ||||
| Superannuation Co-contributions | Tuesday 15 May | 12.30pm-1.30pm | Quadrangle Building, Latin 1 S224 | All University staff | ||||
| New members | Tuesday 14 August | 12.30pm-2.00pm | Teachers College Assembly Hall | New University staff | ||||
|
Your super benefits when you leave |
Wednesday 24 October | 12.30pm-1.30pm | Bosch Lecture Theatre 4 |
For Unisuper members intending to leave work within 18 months |