Reward, recognition and development programs

The University highly values and recognises the contribution that employees make to USQ's success and consequently has in place a range of programs and initiatives which reward employee effort.  Reward and recognition initiatives available include:

Recognition programs

  • USQ Employee Recognition Program - An employee recognition program to acknowledge individuals or groups of employees who achieve high standards of performance in the workplace, primarily through non-monetary rewards including public recognition, the presentation of personal gifts and small incentives, or the giving of work related items. 

Learning and development initiatives

  • Academic Development and Outside Studies Program - A well established Academic Development and Outside Studies Program program to provide a period of paid leave for academic employees to undertake research, scholarly activity or professional experience.
     
  • Professional Development Leave - General Employees - An opportunity for general employees to undertake a period of Professional Development Leave (PDL) to enhance and develop their professional knowledge, skills and abilities outside the University.
     
  • Academic Promotion - A biennial academic promotion process for academic employees on the basis of meritorious performance.
     
  • Study Assistance - A generous study assistance program to provide financial assistance and encourage and support employees to undertake further education.  
     
  • Certificate IV/Traineeship Scheme - A traineeship scheme for existing general employees to obtain a Certificate IV (Business Administration or Frontline Management) qualification.
  • Staff Development - A range of internal and external staff development opportunities to increase employee skills, broaden experience and enhance future career opportunities.
     
  • Management and Leadership Development - A comprehensive program aimed at aimed at building capacity for managers and leaders in the areas of people management, personal leadership, strategic management and business sustainability.

On-the-job career development opportunities

  • Acting Appointments - The opportunity for employees to act in higher classified positions as a mechanism to reward exceptional work performance by an employee and/or to provide an opportunity to acquire advanced knowledge, skills and abilities.
     
  • Internal Transfers and Secondments - The opportunity for employees to be transferred or seconded to a position in order to recognise and reward exceptional work performance and/or provide an opportunity to acquire expanded knowledge, skills and abilities.
     
  • Linked Classification Program - The linked classification program for general employees has been developed to promote increased flexibility within the USQ position classification standards, meet the needs of the individual work areas and offer employees the opportunity for further career development and salary progression. 
  • Employee Exchange Program - The availability of a scheme which provides for exchange between University employees and employees of other appropriate organisations as a reward for exceptional performance and/or an opportunity to acquire expanded knowledge, skills and abilities. 

Formal grants and awards

  • Awards for Excellence - Academic Employees - Annual university awards for excellence for academic employees which recognise academic employees' contributions to the University, along with a number of other grants and awards.
     
  • Awards for Excellence - General Employees - Annual university awards for excellence for general employees which recognise general employees' contributions to the University in the areas of outstanding service and innovation or process improvement.
     
  • External Awards for Excellence - Numerous excellence awards provided by external bodies. The achievements of employees who receive such external awards are recognised across the wider University community through various communication channels and publications such as USQNews.

Performance rewards

  • Accelerated Increment - Accelerated increments where an employee's performance consistently and significantly exceeds agreed performance indicators.
     
  • Additional Increment - An additional increment for employees at the top step of their current classification level where their performance consistently and significantly exceeds agreed performance indicators.
     
  • Attraction and Retention Loadings - Attraction and retention loadings which may be offered to attract, recognise and retain valuable employees in the workplace.