University Christmas close-down impacts

Due to the university close-down period, there is a need to adjust the normal deadlines for the submission of payroll documentation, (eg. timesheets and other salary claim forms) and termination documentation (eg. resignations, fixed-term contract end).

To enable timely processing of payments over the Christmas period, it is important that all staff and supervisors are aware of the following payroll deadlines/payment dates:

NB. Due to the university close-down period, it will not be possible to process payments received after the published deadlines, nor process any requests for manual payments.

Internal Recruitment and Redeployment

Internal recruitment may continue throughout the December/January period to support internal mobility post change. For hiring managers planning internal recruitment activities during this time, please remember that the participation of panel members may be limited and that staff may have planned leave.

The Talent Management Team are available to assist hiring managers with any recruitment queries via a general enquiry in Service Central. 

External Recruitment

As the university moves into the December/January period, the external candidate market slows down as candidates are not generally searching for new job opportunities at this time. This makes attracting and engaging high quality external candidates for ACU’s employment opportunities unreliable.

Friday 17 November 2023 is the final day that members of the senior executive will be approving external recruitment request (forms) for this year, with only approved recruitment to continue being advertised after this date. 

Hiring managers are reminded that any current recruitment actions progressing will also need to comply with end-of-year approval deadlines to ensure the offer letters and onboarding processes can be completed within the required timeframes.  

Finalising fixed-term contracts ending December 2023/January 2024

Supervisors with staff who have a fixed term contract ending in the next three months will have already received Staff Connect and email notifications regarding the initiation of an online form that outlines available employment options. Supervisors are reminded to action these promptly via Staff Connect forms.

Where a further employment contract is being requested as part of the fixed-term process in Staff Connect, approval to proceed should be with P&C by Monday 11 December 2023 in order for both an offer and acceptance of the new employment contract to be completed prior to the Christmas shutdown.

Prompt action is also required where a fixed-term contract is ending to allow the required notice period to be provided to the staff member. Where this does not occur, payment in lieu of notice is payable.

Subject to the timelines outlined above and the completion of the required processes within these timelines, any questions or queries relating to status of offers, contracts or onboarding tasks should be directed to the P&C Appointments Team via a general enquiry in Service Central.