From: Diamond Versi Organization: Keble College To: Averil Cameron Date sent: Fri, 9 Jan 2004 10:54 Subject: Salary review
Dear Averil
I have just spoken to Roger regarding the forthcoming Finance Committee. He is refusing to let me have the sight of the agenda papers. Since he has told the FC that I had requested the review I would have thought I would be invited when this item is being discussed. But instead I am also denied access to the agenda papers. I also attach one of many emails where I have argued the case for the Accounts staff. The emphasis is on the salary and not what the Bursar has reviewed. I have not been successful in ascertaining the purpose of this investigation. Would a similar exercise be repeated across the other departments? The Bursar says no. So why just choose my section? I am not getting all the answers. The purpose of this note is to ask you, as the Chair of the FC, if you whole-heartedly agree with the Bursar's decision not let me have the agenda papers of the FC due to take place on 14 January 2004. I look forward to your reply.
Best wishes
Diamond
From: Averil Cameron Organization: Keble College To: Diamond Versi Copies to: Wade Allison, Martin Oldfield, Roger Boden Date sent: Fri, 9 Jan 2004 12:34 Subject: Salary review
Dear Diamond,
This is something that needs to be addressed by the Bursar and I understand that he will be back in College about 3 this afternoon. As to the review, salary recommendations can only be judged against job evaluations, and in fact the Bursar has systematically reviewed staffing in this light right across the College, with the exception of Accounts. At the last review of staff salaries it was clear that such an evaluation needed to take place and that is what has happened. There will clearly be all appropriate staff consultation but FC has to take its view before we know what is to be consulted about.
All best,
Averil
From: Diamond Versi Organization: Keble College To: Averil Cameron Date sent: Fri, 9 Jan 2004 12:50 Subject: Salary review
Many thanks for this, Averil. I shall await your decision regarding me having the sight of the FC agenda. I need to know if you concur with the Bursar's decision of not letting me have a sight of the FC papers because this would be the first time he has ever refused my request in this respect. If what you write is the case then why not let me see the report which is, allegedly, what I requested?
Yours
From: Averil Cameron Organization: Keble College To: Diamond Versi Copy to: Roger Boden Date sent: Fri, 9 Jan 2004 14:21 Subject: Salary review
You are asking me to overrule the Bursar in his absence and I'm afraid I can't do that.
Yours,
From: Diamond Versi Organization: Keble College To: Edwin Peel Date sent: Mon, 12 Jan 2004 10:35 Subject: Salary review
Hi there Ed
I would like to share this [above] emails with you. I disagree with the Warden. If all the other departments have been reviewed in this manner then where is the evidence? I have not seen any FC or GB minute recording any departmental reviews. My main complaint is the devious way Roger has gone about conducting this review. He promised me that he was going to look at pay differentials and then he proceeded doing a time and motion study. This has upset both my staff and I. He has misled the FC (in the last minutes) by recording that I asked for the review. I am now finding very stressful working at Keble. Last year Roger investigated me and this year my department is being investigated. There has been a multitude of harassing and intimidating actions taken by the Bursar the whole of last year. You may recall that I asked you if you could recommend a good employment lawyer. I think the time is right; I would be grateful if you would point me in the right direction. The College Nurse has been monitoring my blood pressure. It is high. I would be grateful for any help I can get.
Kind regards
Yours Diamond
From: Edwin Peel Organization: Keble College To: Diamond Versi Copy to: Roger Boden Date sent: Mon, 12 Jan 2004 11:20 Subject: Salary review
I am sorry to hear that relations have worsened again and that you are feeling under stress. I hope that matters can be resolved without recourse to law (and I must warn you there may be a considerable expense involved). The leading employment law firms locally are based in Birmingham. If you wanted an Oxford firm, I suspect the best would be Morgan Cole whose offices are located at the bottom of Botley Road. I am afraid I do not have an individual to recommend within the firm, but they will ensure that you see an appropriate employment specialist. If you prefer to go to Birmingham, do let me know and I will recommend firms/individuals there. I am happy to make these recommendations, but since matters are reaching this point and I am a member of the finance committee, I hope you will understand that it may be better if I remain independent and do not offer you any further advice myself. That said, if you think I can help to resolve any matter without having to go to law then please do not hesitate to contact me.
Best wishes Ed
From: Diamond Versi Organization: Keble College To: Edwin Peel Date sent: Mon, 12 Jan 2004 11:36 Subject: Salary review
Hello again. Many thanks for your input. I do realise that it is difficult for you to advise me because of your FC membership and KC fellowship; but I have always valued your opinion. Before I embark on an expensive action I would definitely welcome an arbitration/mediation exercise. So thank you very much for that.
From: Roger Boden Organization: Keble College To: Diamond Versi Date sent: Thu, 29 Jan 2004 08:35 Subject: Possible redundancy settlement
Dear Diamond
WITHOUT PREJUDICE
As you requested when we met on Monday, I have now prepared, with Manches help, a calculation of possible settlement terms should the position of Accountant be made redundant. You will appreciate that this is a matter which would be decided by Finance Committee, but they are terms which I believe it would be reasonable for me to recommend. I thought you might find it helpful to have the attached spreadsheet before our meeting at 10 tomorrow. The first part deals with the calculation of your statutory entitlement, which on these calculations amounts to £16,692 (including the pension contribution which assumes that you would contribute your share). The second part calculates the enhancement that would arise were the College to agree to 'uncap' the weekly rate for the redundancy calculation. This brings the total to £30,951 - equivalent to almost a year's net salary.
Roger
From: Roger Boden Organization: Keble College To: Diamond Versi Date sent: Fri, 30 Jan 2004 10:38 Subject: legal advice
One point that I ought to have mentioned yesterday is that if the restructuring does proceed and the College offers an enhanced redundancy settlement coupled with a compromise agreement then you must have legal advice about the significance and consequences of that agreement. I am advised that it is usual in such circumstances for an employer to make a contribution to the legal costs relating to that advice, and that a contribution of £250 plus VAT is considered reasonable. So this is just to let you know that, were the circumstances to arise, I would be prepared to authorise such a contribution at the level of £250 plus VAT.