Guidance on the Use of and Examples of Relevant Factors
When determining whether it is appropriate to use a relevant factor, the following questions should be considered:
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What is the main function of the role?
What unique tasks are required from the post?
How long will it take to complete the work required?
Have you got enough funding to complete the specific tasks identified for the post within the timescale?
What funding has been identified to support this post? (Please note that funding alone cannot be used to justify the use of either an open ended
contract with relevant factor or a fixed term contract.)
Will you be appointing a number of similar posts to work on the same tasks?
Is this a strategic investment in a particular area of work?
Is this covering a period of staff absence?
Is this a career development opportunity?
Is the demand for the role uncertain? (The demand for a role should be considered in accordance with the Strategic direction of the
College/Department or School and wherever possible a long term approach should be taken.)
Once you have considered all of these questions, you will be in a position to define the relevant factor that meets the requirements of the post. The following
table gives examples of relevant factors, although it is not exhaustive. If you require further advice, please contact your HR Manager.
To provide cover (e.g.
sabbaticals, leave of
absence, sickness
absence, maternity
leave); please include
name of individual on
leave in justification1
the post is a clearly defined training or
career development position
for short/medium term appointments which
are project or task related or require
specialised skills for a time limited period
normally of 4 years or less
in terms of specific business
uncertainty where there may be a
need to make adjustments to the
workforce.
This post is to cover a
period of maternity leave
from xxxx until xxxxx
This post is a clearly defined training post
in xxxxx from xxxxx until xxxxx
This post is to undertake specific
technical/research/ clinical/ admin tasks (as
detailed in the attached job description) on xxxx
project which are required from xxxxx until
xxxxx.
This post is to provide additional
teaching on the following modules
xxxxxx due to a temporary increase in
student numbers until xxxxxx.
This post is to cover a
This post is part of the Knowledge
This post is to undertake specific teaching
This post is to provide additional
1
Please note: For these types of posts an individual will not be considered as redundant at the end of this post and will therefore not be eligible for redundancy pay or redeployment
member of staffs period of
agreed leave from xxxx
until xxxx
Transfer Partnership Scheme which is
funded by the Government in order for an
individual to gain specific research
experience within a clearly defined
research This will be working with an
external party to deliver on xxxxxxx
research project from xxxx until xxxx.
This post is to cover a
This post is part of an EU Marie Curie
period of secondment from International Fellowship scheme which is
xxx until xxxx
funded by the EU in order for an individual
to gain specific research experience within
a clearly defined research area. This post
has been established to xxxxxx on
research project xxxxxx
This post is to cover a
career break from xxxx
until xxxx
activities (as detailed in the attached job
description) which have been identified while
the School is carrying out a full review in the
areas of xxxxxxx teaching. The review of
teaching is due to be completed on the xxxxxx
teaching due to an increase in students
on the following course/s until xxxxxx.
This post is to provide short term specialist
skills (as identified in the attached Job
description) on xxxx project from xxxx until
xxxx.
This post is to provide teaching on the
following newly established course as
student demand for this course is
uncertain.
This post is for a 2 year period as part of the
University/College/School's strategic
investment plan to invest in xxxxxxxx to
develop a portfolio of self financing high
impact/quality research complementing the
existing xxxxxxx research programme.
This post is to provide administrative
support while a review of the current
administrative structure is being carried
out/on a temporary basis while we
introduce a new IT system which is due
to be completed on the xxxxxx. This is
financially supported by xxxxxxxx.
This post is to cover the
teaching on module
x/undergraduate course x
while the normal
Lecturer/SL/Prof is on
sabbatical until xxxxxx.
This post is to provide specific xxxxx
investment as part of the University/College/
Schools/Professional Services strategic
investment in xxxxxx . The work identified (as
detailed in the attached job description) is until
xxxxx. This is financially supported by xxxxxx. (
This relevant factor should normally only be
used where this is an initial investment in an
area for example to pump prime an area once
established and if there is an on-going need the
relevant factor should be reviewed or an open
ended contract should be considered)
This post is to provide teaching on a
course in xxxxxx where the demand for
these courses is currently uncertain
due to a decline in student numbers/
change in teaching requirements until
xxxxx.