Why personnel policy?
The University of Agder (UiA) aims to have an attractive, inclusive and dynamic work environment that motivates all employees and fosters job satisfaction. The goal of the personnel policy is to describe how we at UiA collaborate to fulfill our societal mission, realize the vision and implement UiA's strategy.
Vision and values
UiA's vision, 'co-creating for tomorrow's knowledge', is based on UiA's core values: academic quality, openness, respect and trust. Our academic culture is characterized by academic freedom, sustainability and diversity. UiA's core values are elaborated in the Ethical guidelines for the University of Agder and serve as the foundation for co-creation, collaboration and leadership at the University. The values should be emphasized during interactions and when resolving issues. All employees should be familiar with these values, and as good role models, leaders are expected to practise these values.
Plans, documents and declarations
Our personnel policy is in part based upon the national personnel and employer policies. The University has endorsed the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, along with the associated development process, HRS4R (Human Resources Strategy for Researchers).The declaration sets quality requirements for recruitment and the development of working conditions for researchers, thereby committing UiA as an employer.
An equal workplace
Equality and the equal worth of all individuals should characterize the fundamental attitudes and daily actions of all employees at the University. A central leadership responsibility is to ensure that the goals and measures in the action plan for equality, inclusion and diversity are embedded in day-to-day management and influence the work environment in each unit.
We create a positive work environment together
Leaders are responsible for actively supporting their employees. Each employee's circumstances, life stage and personal situation should be taken into consideration. Leaders should demonstrate trust, motivate and involve the employees, thereby fostering the development of skills and effective work practices. The most important skill development occurs through daily work.
Tasks should be realistic, with each employee contributing positively to the community and co-creation. We must all be mindful of our responsibility to contribute to a positive work environment. We are each other's work environment.
We live in a time of rapid changes. Therefore, it is crucial that we, as a university, are flexible, adaptable and open to new solutions. The personnel policy reflects this while also ensuring the need for a safe, diverse, inclusive and fair working environment for all our staff.
Through the personnel policy, we aim to enhance the University's status as an attractive workplace and to help UiA retain, develop and recruit competent employees.
This is particularly evident in:
1. Work environment and job satisfaction
- that employer and employee share a joint responsibility for contributing to the work environment
- that there is continuous improvement of the physical and psychosocial work environment to promote health, engagement and positive collegial relationships, thus creating psychological safety
- that preventive measures are taken against workplace harassment
- that conflicts are handled constructively and as early as possible in accordance with conflict management procedures and/or reporting procedures, Speak up
- that we are particularly attentive to the work environment of PhD candidates and employees recently recruited from other countries
2. Attractive working conditions
- that we utilize available resources to retain, develop and recruit competent employees
- that we have a consensual salary policy reflecting the personnel policy and ensuring effective recruitment
- that the personnel policy is considerate of different stages of life
- that conditions are established to make leadership positions attractive at UiA
3. Professional development and career development
- that we facilitate individual career development
- that we encourage knowledge sharing by creating opportunities for employees to enhance their competence in developing effective learning environments
- that we support and leverage opportunities for digitalization, including AI
- that teaching, research, academic and artistic development work and dissemination are recognized as equal responsibilities
4. Employee engagement
- that all employees take responsibility for UiA's goals and strategy, seeking to find suitable and cost-effective solutions in their work
- that everyone has the opportunity to contribute to the development of the work environment and operational areas
- that everyone contributes to achieving goals through collaboration with both internal and external partners, with an increased focus on interdisciplinarity and co-creation
- that academic, technical and administrative staff exhibit mutual support and respect
5. Leadership
- that leaders are responsible for realizing UiA's goals and implementing measures to achieve them
- that leadership takes place through dialogue, delegation and employee participation
- that leaders support employees and create conditions for co-creation, enabling staff to contribute to an attractive, inclusive and dynamic work environment, with individual adaptations as needed
- that leaders when necessary help set boundaries to ensure a good balance between work and personal life
6. Collaboration and employee participation
- that UiA provides forums at all levels where employees can influence the realization of strategies and goals, and have opportunities for innovation and participation in decision-making processes that significantly affect their working conditions
- that collective employee participation is ensured through trade unions and conducted according to the adjustment agreement
- that we strive for consistent practices across faculties and divisions in the administration of regulations
- that we build teams across faculties and divsions, including both academic, technical and administrative staff