A major Australian university is looking for a new deputy vice-chancellor amid a work-from-home storm.
Paula Ward resigned from her role as Adelaide University’s deputy vice-chancellor — People and Culture after claiming staff working from home on Fridays and Mondays were effectively getting “four-day weekends”.
The remarks were made during an all-staff “town hall” meeting on October 28, attended by about 1000 university employees, where Ward outlined stricter work-from-home rules.
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In a video obtained by The Advertiser, Ward said the rules would apply to professional staff, not academics.
“Up to two days per week you can elect to work from home, and that’s by agreement with your manager, in alignment with what your workload is and what’s going on at any particular point in time, and obviously always in alignment with legislative obligations,” she said.
“And then one day during your week must be a Monday or a Friday, effectively not looking for people to have a four-day weekend on a regular basis.”
Paula Ward addressed about 1000 staff during a town hall meeting on October 28. Credit: The Advertiser The outlet reported that “the roof exploded” after the remarks, with university employees commenting on Ward’s remarks.
Andrew Miller, SA secretary of the National Tertiary Education Union, told The Advertiser the remark showed “the head of HR does not trust the professionalism of staff” and that it demonstrated a lack of sensitivity to flexible work arrangements, including caring responsibilities.
“The deputy vice-chancellor promptly realised the error and apologised, but the damage was done,” Miller said.
Ward was absent from the next town hall on November 12, and the university later confirmed her resignation.
“Adelaide University recognises the contribution Paula Ward has made to the establishment of Australia’s newest university, and we thank her for the hard work and dedication she has displayed in her role as Adelaide University’s Deputy Vice Chancellor – People and Culture,” a spokesperson told 7NEWS.com.au.
The university added that “a competitive recruitment process” would soon begin to fill the position, and confirmed that flexible work arrangements would largely remain unchanged.
“Ahead of the merger the two foundation universities support a variety of flexible work arrangements, including working from home options, to support the professional and personal needs of its staff balanced with the requirement of the communities it serves such as the students who are on campus,” the spokesperson said.
“The work from home principles proposed for Adelaide University are very similar to those already in place at the two antecedent universities.
“Accordingly, we do not expect working from home arrangements will significantly alter going forward.”
Ward began her role as Deputy Vice Chancellor – People and Culture in October last year, while also being the director of The Rugby Club Foundation, according to her LinkedIn.
Adelaide University will officially launch in January next year, following the merger of the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia.