The University of Sheffield
Human Resources

Information for Agency Workers Engaged at the University Of Sheffield

1. Welcome to the University of Sheffield (TUOS)

2. Conduct

3. Terms & conditions (T&C’s)

4. Addressing any concerns/queries

5. Provisions from day one of your engagement with the UoS

6. Pregnant workers and new mother provisions

1. Welcome to the University of Sheffield (TUOS)

We are one of the world’s top 100 universities with a global reputation for excellence and a history that reaches back to 1828 with the foundation of the Sheffield School of Medicine. In 1905, the University was established by Royal Charter.

A century after we were founded by local people ambitious for the highest standards of education and a far reaching impact. We have around 6,000 staff and over 24,000 students from more than 130 nations. Our staff work in 70 academic departments across five faculties (Arts & Humanities, Engineering, Medicine, Dentistry & Health, Science and Social Sciences) and professional services (which includes Academic Services, Accommodation & Campus Services, Careers Services, Corporate Information &Computing Services, Development and Alumni Relations, Estates, Finance, Human Resources, Student Services, University Library and Sport Sheffield).

A map of the University is available via the download box.

2. Conduct

During your time at the University you are expected to adhere to the below basic principles/requests:

  1. Treat all with dignity and respect - TUOS requires all members of the University community, including agency workers, to treat each other with dignity & respect. Should you feel that this is not happening, you should raise your concerns with your Agency Provider. Alternatively, where there is an allegation that you have failed to treat others with dignity and respect, this will be investigated and where appropriate your engagement with TUOS terminated. A copy of the University’s Harassment Code of Practice can be found here. 
  2. Comply with health & safety requirements – We all have a duty under the law to work safely and not to do anything which would make things unsafe for either yourself or others. As such, as part of your engagement with TUOS you are required to cooperate over matters of health and safety. For further details please refer to the University’s Health and Safety Policy and Code of Practice Summary Code of Practice.
  3. Retain confidentiality – When dealing with confidential information make sure that this is not disclosed to any unauthorised persons.
  4. No Smoking - The University does not permit smoking within any of its premises or vehicles, should you wish to smoke you should do this well outside the building – not next to the front or side doors.
  5. Report all Absences to your Agency - Where pregnant, agency workers should advise their agency provider and their UoS manager of this, so that appropriate support in attending any ante-natal or medical appointments can be offered and a risk assessment undertaken.
  6. Carry your uCard - (if allocated one) with you at all times when at the University, and return it to your University manager, at the end of your engagement. This will only be activated for the period of your engagement.
  7. Use of IT facilities – Please refer to TUOS’s IT Code of Practice for information in relation to the use of these facilities.
  8. Comply with the Anti-bribery Statement - TUOS is committed to applying the highest standards of conduct and integrity in its business activities in the UK and overseas and as such does not tolerate bribery, this applies to all members of the University community, including Agency Staff.

3. Terms & conditions (T&C’s)

These will be as defined by your agency provider. However, from the 1st October 2011 should you attain a 12 weeks qualifying period at TUOS, your agency provider will be responsible for ensuring that you receive the same basic term and conditions that you would have received if recruited directly to TUOS.

These include basic provisions such as pay, annual leave, working time and time off for ante-natal appointments.

4. Addressing any concerns/queries

Should you attain a 12 week qualifying period and have any concerns or queries in relation to your terms and conditions, these should ideally be raised informally with your Agency Provider in the first instance. They will then liaise with TUOS and/or your UoS manager, as appropriate in order to provide a response. Should you remain dissatisfied, you may wish to put your concerns/queries in writing to your Agency Provider who in turn will respond within 28 days of receipt. If you still feel that the issue remains unresolved having received their written response, you may wish to write to the customary Human Resources Adviser for the University department you are placed within.

Should your concerns/queries relate to your ability to access any of the University’s facilities/vacancy information or pregnancy provisions, (detailed below) please speak with your UoS manager. Should you feel that your issue remains unresolved you may wish to put your concerns in writing to your UoS Manager, who in turn will provide a written response within 28 days.

5. Provisions from day one of your engagement with the UoS

To access some of the below provisions, if you do not hold an external visitors uCard, you may need to produce photographic identification and a letter from your UoS Manager confirming your engagement with TUOS.

Below is a list of facilities you are eligible to access during the length of your engagement:

Should you require hardcopies of the information retained within any of the above web links, due to lack of computer access please raise with your UoS Manager.

*Please note that the provision of car parking is based on eligibility criteria that will be assessed via the application process. Application forms and further details can be gained from the EFM Help Desk on Wheeldon Street, North Campus.

Where a waiting list exists in relation to access for a given provision e.g. staff counselling, you will have the ability to join the waiting list during your engagement. However, you will be removed from this at the end of your engagement.

University vacancies information is available to all via our Jobs web page.

From the 1st October 2011, where vacancies are occasionally advertised to internal staff only, you can access these by seeking details from your department’s customary Human Resources Assistant (please see HR Contact List for details). Should you wish to apply for any such vacancy, access will be arranged to enable you to do so. When seeking details of any internal vacancies you will be required to show evidence of your current engagement with TUOS.

6. Pregnant workers and new mother provisions

If you are pregnant you should notify both your Agency Provider and UoS Manager in writing. This is in order that both can support your ability to attend any ante-natal or medical appointments. Where you do need to attend such appointments you may be requested to provide evidence of these after the first such appointment.

If the nature of the assignment is such that a risk to Health and Safety is likely, it would also enable the UoS Manager to undertake a new risk assessment. This may result in the implementation of reasonable adjustments to remove any identified risks. This would also apply to women who have given birth in the last 6 months or women who are breastfeeding.