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Rewarding and developing staff in HE: evaluation of phases 1 and 2

Summary

This report evaluates the first two phases of the HEFCE's initiative on 'Rewarding and developing staff in higher education'. It concludes that the initiative has resulted in improved human resource management practices across the sector. In this first year, institutions have implemented a range of solutions to tackle the six priority areas identified by the HEFCE. There is evidence to demonstrate that the initiative has resulted in significant changes being introduced at an institution level: including improvement in HR infrastructure; policies to address recruitment, progression and performance management; initiatives to tackle equal opportunities and job evaluation issues; and measures to improve the level of management skill. These have the potential to raise the level of institution performance and that of the sector as a whole.

There are trends emerging that point to the evolution of HR management from a transactional approach, focused on administration, to a transformational approach focusing more on strategy and change within the sector. There is also evidence that the project funding has either kick-started fundamental change in HR practice or speeded up implementation of planned initiatives, both with very positive impacts. However, it is too soon for the evidence to be available that indicates a causal link to sector performance as a whole.

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Last updated 4 September 2003