Guide to Fixed Term Appointments of Six Months or Less
A Step by Step Guide to Filling Out Forms
Employment practices must be efficient and streamlined for USQ to be successful. Human Resources (HR) has designed this ‘step-by-step' guide to assist you when filling out forms for appointees on fixed term appointments of 6 months or less.
It is the joint responsibility of employees in Faculties/Operational units and Human Resources to ensure forms are filled out ‘correctly'. Your responsibilities include:
- reading and following this guide;
- sending forms to HR that are ‘accurate' and ‘complete'; and
- requesting help from Human Resources before submitting forms.
It is the responsibility of HR Officers to:
- ensure this guide is easy to read, understand and use;
- provide you with assistance (on request);
- contact you to resubmit forms that are not ‘complete'; and
- only process forms that are ‘complete' in accordance with legislation, enterprise agreements and HR policy.
The following information is provided in this ‘step-by-step' guide to assist you:
‘Frequently Asked Questions' have also been developed as part of this ‘step-by-step guide'.
Fixed Term Appointments at USQ
A fixed term employee may be appointed for a specified term or ascertainable period subject to the termination, change and redundancy provisions of the USQ Certified Agreement 2010-2013. These appointments will not normally be renewed and the employee should not have any expectation of continuity of employment. There are no restrictions on the type or category of fixed term appointment
A terminating fixed term employee with over twelve months continuous service who has had more than one contract for a specific task or project, or research, may be entitled to a severance payment. A fixed term employee appointed for any other 'reason' is not entitled to a severance payment.
Specific Task or Project
An employee can be appointed to a fixed term appointment of less than 6 months, to perform a definable work activity with a start date and which is expected to be completed within an anticipated timeframe. Without limiting the generality of that circumstance, a specific task or project may include a period of employment provided for from identifiable funding external to the employer, not being funding that is part of an operating grant from government or funding comprised of payments of fees made by, or on behalf of, students.
For example: Additional students have enrolled in a course which is offered in semester 1 only and Fern Green is appointed on a 'specific task or project' fixed-term appointment to assist with the teaching load from 1 March 2004 until 2 July 2004 (approx 4 months).
Research
An employee can be appointed to a fixed term appointment 6 months or less, to perform primarily 'research' functions for the contract period.
For example: USQ has successfully gained a research grant to develop a vaccine strain against whooping cough. The Office of Research and Higher Degrees appoints Sue Smith on a 'research' fixed term appointment from 5 April 2004 until 4 October 2004(6 months) to perform this research.
An Example of a Complete Fixed Term Appointment Form
This form can only be completed for fixed-term appointments of 6 months or less. An example of a properly completed form (PDF 58KB) is provided for your information. Forms for other appointments are available on the HR website.
Remember to contact Sonya Krenske or Jessica Millett if you need help before you complete the form.
Getting Help
It is important that you contact Sonya Krenske or Jessica Millett for help before you send forms to Human Resources.
Your Feedback Is Wanted
HR has designed this ‘step-by-step' guide to assist you to fill out forms correctly. If you have any feedback on this 'step-by-step' guide or have suggestions for other information you would find useful, please contact Sonya Krenske or Jessica Millett .