Your Employment
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RIGHT TO WORK CHECK
All prospective employees for the University must provide evidence to confirm their right to work in the UK before commencing employment (e.g. passport and visa/biometric residence permit).
The original documents must be presented in person, prior to any work being undertaken. Therefore, please ensure that an appointment is made with People and Culture for the right to work check to be conducted ahead of (or first thing on) your first day. At this time you can also present any other required documentation, such as original qualifications. People and Culture is located on level 4 of the Administration Building.
If you are a Tier 1, Tier 2 or Tier 5 visa holder, please schedule your appointment with International Staff Support. If you hold another category of visa (including Tier 1/2/5 dependants) or if you are an EEA national, please liaise directly with the Hub Adviser who has been handling your on boarding.
If the University has sponsored your Tier 2 visa and you are unable to take up post on the date indicated on your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), please notify International Staff Support immediately. Note that the Home Office will treat the period between the CoS start date and the actual start date as unpaid leave. If you accumulate more than 4 weeks unpaid leave in any calendar year the University must stop sponsoring you.
During your employment, you must continue to hold the right to work in the UK and cooperate with the University on any request to view such confirmation. If you move to another immigration category, you must advise People and Culture immediately so that your status can be updated.
- STAFF CARD AND LOG ON
Your Staff Smart Card (SSC) is your staff ID and should be carried at all times when on campus. The staff card, along with your computer logon/email address, will be available to collect from People and Culture reception on your first day provided you have previously completed the right to work check, presented your original qualifications and submitted your photograph.
If you are unable to present your original documents (in person) ahead of your first day, your staff card and logon should be available to collect within 48 hours of completing the check.
- INDUCTION
As you join this large organisation it will take time to settle in, find your way around and find out what you need to know. In all cases your manager and other experienced staff should be on hand to help you with any immediate questions you may have.
As well as the induction provided locally by your new department you will also be invited to attend an "All New Staff Induction" within your first few months of employment. Learning and Development will contact you directly with an invitation to confirm the dates. The main aim of this event is to provide participants with an overview of the University’s objectives as well as an understanding of how the University functions. There are also further job specific induction sessions for new clerical, research and academic staff. You will receive an invitation to the most appropriate event for your role, but the events are also available by visiting Queen’s Online.
- PROBATION
The probation procedure applies to all new staff and provides a mechanism whereby managers meet with new staff, set expectations and establish specific objectives. The procedure also provides a means of performance review and feedback. Visit the Probation Webpage for full details and to access the probation regulation relevant to your grade.
- EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Employees at Queen’s University have generous terms and conditions of employment underpinned by excellent salary and pension benefits. It also provides attractive wellbeing, family friendly and other lifestyle benefits.
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LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT
Learning and Development is responsible for enhancing the quality of leadership and management, supporting development of our research staff, and ensuring that employees have the tools to support their career and personal development. A full programme of training events are run each year. You can view the current schedule of courses and register to attend via iTrent Self-Service.
There are a selection of training courses which are mandatory for staff to complete. The applicable courses will be available on the first page when logging in to Queen’s Online (QOL).
- INTO
INTO at Queen’s offers a programme of language support for students which also extends to staff whose native language is not English.
- RECOGNITION
Staff are encouraged to strive to do their best at all times and deliver the best results. In turn, Queen's University is committed to creating a culture that celebrates and empowers excellence. The aim of the tiered STAR (Staff Recognition) Scheme is to ensure staff are recognised for their exceptional performance, contribution and accomplishments, whether individually or as part of a team.
- ACADEMIC LIFE
Queen's University can trace its roots back to 1845 when it was established as one of three Queen's Colleges in Ireland. It is the second oldest university in Ireland, and the ninth oldest in the United Kingdom. Queen's became a university in its own right under the terms of the Irish Universities Act 1908 following the signing of a Royal Charter by King Edward VII in the same year. The University is an autonomous body and a registered charity. Queen's prides itself on the quality of its academic leadership, with a united team of academics and academic support directors working together to deliver its Vision.
Queen’s University is becoming an increasingly diverse institution with staff from all over the world. Over 15% of our staff population come from outside the island of Ireland and we value the contribution international staff make to the community campus and city life.
The Staff Gateway contains news, events and information for Queen’s staff, including working life and staff communications, as well as specific information for academic staff.
The Research and Enterprise Directorate supports our researchers in a number of ways, providing guidance on ethics and governance, funding projects, working with partners, and commercial developments.
Queen's wants to recruit, develop and nurture outstanding researchers who will deliver world-leading research and become our research leaders of the future. As an Illuminate Fellow (The Vice-Chancellor's Fellowship Scheme at Queen’s University Belfast), you will be part of a world-class international university built on teaching excellence, leading-edge research, innovation, collaboration and engagement, and will play a key role in shaping our future priorities. With a career pathway to a permanent Senior Lecturer/Reader post, you will benefit from membership of the Fellowship Academy to support your development and progression.
Queen's University runs its own academic costume hire service and this can be used by students, staff and local schools and colleges for ceremonial use – Understanding Academic Costume.
The award–winning McClay Library, which opened in 2009, blends the best features of a traditional library with the latest technology and all staff can enjoy access to its many resources. The Library's collections support teaching and research in the arts and humanities, science and engineering, the social sciences and law. The iconic CS Lewis Reading Room is a serene reading space, decorated with glass-engraved inscriptions from the Belfast author’s works as well as a hand-carved replica of the famous wardrobe door from The Chronicles of Narnia.
EURAXESS UK is a British Council managed hub which aids researchers in their career development, supporting mobility and acting as a support mechanism for researchers moving abroad or moving to the UK.
TED Talks, a large online library of previously broadcasted lectures, covering a wide array of topics including careers advice. This is the inspirational TEDxStormont talk given by Queen's late vice-chancellor Professor Patrick J Johnston entitled “Imagining Success through Failure”.
- ACADEMIC LIFE, FURTHER INFORMATION
Campus Internet
There are a number of ways to connect to WiFi at Queen's. If you cannot immediately access Wi-Fi through the University's network, there are many Wi-Fi hotspots available across the city. Students (and staff) can use the new University Mobile app to find campus news, buildings on campus, timetable, and more besides.
Changes in Your Circumstances
All members of staff can update their personal details, contact information and emergency contact information through the Employee Self-Service. You must do this as soon as practicably possible. This is especially important if the University is sponsoring your Tier 2 or Tier 5 visa as we are required to hold the most up to date contact details for you throughout your sponsorship.
If the University has sponsored your Tier 2 or Tier 5 visa, we are also required to report certain changes in your circumstances to the Home Office. In order to ensure that reports can be made within the ten working day time limit, you must advise International Staff Support immediately if:
- You are unable to take up post on the date indicated on your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS);
- Your contract comes to an end before the date on your CoS, e.g. if you resign;
- There are changes to your circumstances listed on your CoS, e.g. changes to your:
- Job title
- Core duties
- Hours of work
- Salary level. Note that this includes salary changes due to maternity, paternity, long term sick leave or other unpaid leave, but not salary changes due to University-wide pay increases;
- You are working at another UK location from that stated on your CoS, e.g. if you are based off campus for a number of weeks (not brief business visits or attendance at conferences). The University uses the main campus address to cover all sites in the greater Belfast area, including the Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH) and Queen’s Road sites;
- You move to another immigration category that does not require sponsorship, such as Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
Please also note that if you are absent for more than 10 consecutive working days without permission or accumulate more than 4 weeks unpaid leave in any calendar year the University must in certain circumstances stop sponsoring you.
Visa Extensions
At least 3 months before the end of your current visa, you should arrange to meet with your line manager to discuss your intentions and the options available to you. Ensure you present any document that updates your immigration status in the UK to People and Culture before your current visa expires, including where you have switched to another visa category.