The budget cutbacks at Aarhus University will impact about 350 employees, including about 190 planned dismissals and 160 voluntary resignations. The rector emphasises that AU is facing a difficult time.

2014.02.21 | Sys Christina Vestergaard

[Translate to English:] Rektor Brian Bech Nielsen, Foto: Søren Kjeldgaard

After a a time-consuming yet through and locally anchored process , Aarhus University’s senior management is now in a position to announce that the university expects to have to say goodbye to approximately 350 employees. About 190 employees will receive notice of planned dismissal, and it is expected that about 160 employees will be granted voluntary resignation. In addition, about 40 employees will take partial retirement under the senior staff scheme. Finally, the School of Business and Social Sciences and the Faculty of Arts will limit the number of part-time academic staff, which will reduce expenses by DKK 13.6 million and DKK 4.5 million respectively.

“Unfortunately, the fact of the matter is that we are facing the planned dismissal of about 190 employees,” states Rector Bech Nielsen, who adds:

“That so many staff members have applied for voluntary resignation does mitigate the situation. But that doesn’t alter the fact that still have to dismiss a large number of employees. My sympathies go out to the individual employees affected by this, and this will be a difficult time, both for those who lose their job and workplace, and for those who remain behind,” says Rector Bech Nielsen.

Tasks must be prioritised

Next week the employees to be dismissed will be given notice of planned dismissal by their immediate supervisors. The mandatory consultation period that begins immediately thereafter will continue until the final letters of dismissal are sent on 26 March.
The cutbacks will affect a broad range of the university’s employees.

“However, our clear intention is to limit the negative effects on the university’s core services - teaching, research, talent development and knowledge exchange - as much as possible. For this reason, the senior management team has determined that the the ongoing reorganisation of the administration makes it possible to make the proportionally largest cutbacks in this area. Not because our administrative staff haven’t worked hard and with dedication - they certainly have. But because we have to make some tough choices in this grave situation,” explains Rector Bech Nielsen.

Respect for different competences

He emphasises that the university is a large and extremely diverse workplace with a wide variety of very different functions and jobs that require disparate competences.

“No matter what your job function is, you deserve your colleagues’ respect. I hope and and expect that we will maintain a respectful and constructive tone in our dealings with each other, even during these difficult times,” says Rector Bech Nielsen, who goes on to add:

“Recent months have already taken a heavy toll on the employees. I have deep respect for the sense of responsibility and loyalty to the university that our employees have demonstrated throughout the process.”

Table: Budget reduction targets

Dismissals and resignations

• Read Dismissal at AU: Advice, services and guidance
• Read Psychological reactions to redundancy