University of Lincoln could lose 285 staff members due to structural changes

University of Lincoln could lose 285 staff members due to structural changes.

The institution has admitted that it is entering a “significant new phase of organisational structure and reform”, which as a result could see the university lose nearly 300 members of staff, according to the UCU.

A spokesperson for the university has stated that Lincoln is doing everything in their power to avoid as many losses as possible and stated that the estimated 285 jobs lost is a “worst case scenario”.

According to the BBC, Dr Owen Clayton, chairman of the University and College Union (UCU), said the union does not agree that compulsory redundancies are necessary.

The university has announced a voluntary redundancy scheme, attempting to encourage staff to leave their posts rather than introducing compulsory redundancies. However, it has admitted that departmental restructuring “may result in some redundancies”.

A spokesperson added: “We’re continuing to take prudent, practical measures to balance income and expenditure as we plan for a bright future ahead. This includes careful management of staff costs, our single biggest area of expenditure.”

The university made clear it is not in deficit and expects to “return a break-even position” in this financial year, but the spokesperson explained that “financial headwinds facing universities have not gone away”.

The University of Lincoln has made it clear that it is not in deficit, despite the gruelling financial position many UK universities are currently in, and that it aims to “return to a break-even position” this financial year.

This comes as universities such as Cardiff and Nottingham are facing proposals to cut a high number of staff. The former is currently holding a consultation to decide on whether 400 jobs need to be cut, whilst the latter has nearly 4,000 staff members at risk of redundancy.