Staff at a Manchester university are fearing ‘devastating’ redundancies which they say were not made clear in consultations.
An employee at the British and Irish Modern Music Institute’s (BIMM) Manchester campus has told the M.E.N. that the news, which they say was delivered in a ‘key assessment week’, has been ‘very stressful and upsetting’. The staff member has also blasted BIMM, saying it ‘as a focus on investors, rather than young people and education’.
In response, a spokesperson for the University says that ‘there will be no reduction in teaching staff resulting from these changes’. They call the ‘restructure’ necessary in order ‘to provide a better student and lecturer experience’.
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“The consultation was not clear. We had a series of webinars but it was never framed as ‘we are going to restructure and there will be job losses’,” said the BIMM Manchester staff member.
“When they announced job losses, it was during the key assessment week. They told us what we are able to apply for, and if you are not successful you will get a package, but it’s not great. Some people have been invited to apply for their own job, or lower.”
The effect of the news has been ‘devastating’ on staff, they continued. “Staff are absolutely fearful. It’s been very stressful and upsetting,” they added.
“It’s very difficult at this end of the year. We are trying to get people through the end of their course. It’s a real pressure time.
“It’s hard to stay for a company that has treated people like this. It has a focus on investors, rather than young people and education.”
The Manchester Evening News contacted BIMM to clarify how many roles would be lost during the redundancy process, but a spokesperson did not provide a figure. A statement said: “As our institution continues to grow, and having obtained University title last year, changes in the way that we work are required to provide a better student and lecturer experience and ensure greater coordination across campuses, faculties, and courses.
“We have been consulting closely with staff members over the past three months, providing them with the opportunity to ask questions, comment on and make recommendations about any aspect of these changes. Crucially, there will be no reduction in teaching staff resulting from these changes.
”We care about our staff, lecturers and students deeply and we are doing everything we can to ensure any changes are implemented as carefully as possible, for all involved.”
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