The lecturers' collective agreement

Following certain comments in the press the University has clarified some points regarding the academics' collective agreement.

The contractually agreed working week for academics remains 40 hours, with flexible times depending on agreed timetables. These 40 hours are to be distributed reasonably between lecturing, academic research and other duties, including academic administration and professional activity.

All academics employed at the University from now on will perform duties between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. The University will be responsible for timetables and will specify the lecturing times of these academics, whose duties will always be performed within the parameters of a 40-hour working week.

Academics who are currently already employed with the University will have two options. They may either choose to perform all their duties, including lecturing, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. or they may choose to perform their duties from Monday to Friday between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., with the proviso that they may not be compelled to lecture after 5 p.m. for more than one day a week. However, if academics wish to lecture after 5 p.m. on more than one day per week, they may do so in agreement with the University.

The collective agreement in all its sections, including that regarding the financial package, must be understood in the light of what academics do in real terms. The life of an academic cannot be measured solely in terms of the formal hours worked.

It is important to point out that those academics who aspire to progress to senior grades are well aware that this is only be possible if they involve themselves in research of an international standing. Academics, who are involved in research, many of whom write books and other publications of substance, including articles in peer-reviewed journals, must necessarily work long hours far beyond that which is contractually required of them.