Position descriptions

There are a few "usuallys" in here, so keep them in mind as I give you the 50¢ tour.

On appointment, there's an appointment letter. That letter and its acceptance usually constitute the contract of employment. The terms and arrangements of the contract are usually circumscribed by a collective agreement (union agreement, it's to be hoped). Usually the collective agreement spells out pay rates and conditions — and amongst the conditions are generic position descriptors.

Generic descriptors are designed to classify the levels of work and tie them to applicable rates of pay. To do this they distinguish, for example, the academic role of a lecturer from that of professor, or a professional staff classification that supervises others from a classification that doesn't. (Because many of the features of a particular descriptor are common to all, the duties that comprise the differences are usually referred to as distinguishing duties.)

But enough foreplay: Within all this, then, are the (anything but lowly) position descriptions (PDs).

While there are often commonalities amongst PDs, each PD is intended to address the actual work of particular a job. (Sometimes, however, more than one individual does the same job — in a phone bank, for example.)

Contracts of employment can change only by agreement or by acquiescence (a topic for another time). Union Agreements (and the generic descriptors) change only through negotiation. PD's, however, can change over time without the agreement of the job holder. Any such changes must live, however, within the bounds (or "ambit") of both the contract of employment and the applicable Agreement descriptor. So, if you were hired as an accountant, you cannot be required to be a driver.

Most PD changes are evolutionary: A new computer system, for example. Some are more abrupt: Changed reporting lines, for example. But because management has some prerogative to make changes, supervisors occasionally seem to believe that PDs are infinitely malleable. They're not.

So, how malleable are they?

Every position is different. When PD changes are proposed, contact the Union — you'll work it out together.

There are 4 kinds of Homicide:
Felonious, excusable, justifiable, and praiseworthy.
—Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914)

Process

Although not a fan of Saint Thomas More himself, I've always admired Robert Bolt's characterisation of More in A Man for All Seasons. And, a favourite exchange is between More and his son-in-law to be, William Roper:

Roper. So now you'd give the Devil benefit of law.
More. Yes. What would you do? Cut a great road through the law to get after the Devil?
Roper. I'd cut down every law in England to do that.
More. Oh? And when the last law was down— and the Devil turned round on you—where would you hide, Roper, the laws all being flat? This country's planted thick with laws from coast to coast—Man's law's, not God's—and if you cut them down—and you're just the man to do it—d'you really think you could stand upright in the winds that would blow then?

For over a decade, "reform" and "flexibility" under WorkChoices flattened the laws protecting workers. But not satisfied with that, the government went on to flatten university processes as well. So that while Bolt's exchange is literally about the law, it applies equally to processes that comprise a system of governance — particularly applicable, therefore, to universities.

Writing processes or negotiating their change may seem to be gray and unrewarding tasks; but with only a little imagination, the potential benefits appear as blue sky on the horizon. Workloads, disputes and grievances, casual arrangements, governance: All these and more live within the processes.

Local improvements, however, first require member interest and support. Members interested in quality of life at their university need to speak out in union meetings or in other contacts with their elected officers.

Let me assure you, your university's management notices.

Setting a good example for children
takes all the fun out of middle age.

—William Feather (1908-1976)