As I write this we’re in Week 4 of the new academic year, and for some Reading Week will soon be upon us. It feels like it can’t come too soon – the beginning of this term has been extremely busy for everyone. If you’ve been one of the unlucky many to have problems with the new attendance monitoring system then hopefully it’s now been resolved, but do consider letting us know via our new ‘Grievances box’. If you haven’t heard about this, it’s a quick way to let us know there’s been a problem or you have a concern about an operational issue related to teaching, research, recruitment, EDI, administration, or similar. We are collating these so we can demonstrate to management how the University is not meeting even its most basic obligations. We will also be following up on these in negotiations we hold regularly with management.

Sometimes the grievances are ‘small’ problems that are perhaps constantly ongoing – rather like the initial chaos around attendance monitoring. As always, Professional Service colleagues do a brilliant job of sorting out most issues of this type, but they’re increasingly under huge pressure to do more with fewer staff members and less resources. We all know only too well how difficult this is…. But do still tell us because you’re probably not the only one experiencing that problem and we’re always stronger together. Don’t forget though that we also have caseworkers; so if you’re experiencing a ‘bigger’ problem then let us know. Sometimes just having the opportunity to talk through the issue with someone who is unconnected to the problem, but also has useful insight as a caseworker, can help to resolve the problem. You can find out more about what a caseworker can help with here – Casework a Reminder

Now if we can just get the weather sorted out too….

Don’t forget, if you’re on social media we now have a BlueSky account that gets regular updates and the occasional UCU pet picture too, so do give us a follow. @ucukent.bsky.social