The Director’s View: EU Referendum follow-up

EU Referendum news

I want to write to share further information with you on how UCL is managing the impact of the UK’s decision to leave the European Union following the Referendum of 23 June.

Some days ago, I shared with the UCL Brexit Working Group a list of 13 questions which had been raised by members of Library staff about the implications of the Referendum result for them and their careers. These questions have been used to help formulate new information for EU nationals and students in UCL. These appear as a list of Frequently Asked Questions in a new webpage, which includes FAQs about the impact of the Referendum outcome on our staff and student community, including information about applying for UK citizenship: look here. UCL has also set up a helpline to provide information. If you have any queries which are not answered by the text on the website, please direct them to: eustaffqueries@ucl.ac.uk

Three of the original questions from Library colleagues refer to local issues and I am happy to give answers to these questions here:

Question: Will UCL HR and the Library Services Personnel Team have the appropriate resource (staffing and financial) in place to deal with all the extra work in checking statuses, dealing with queries, and applying for work permits if and when necessary? Will UCL be prepared to apply for work permits if it becomes necessary for professional services staff?

Response: To ensure adequate resource allocation and process efficiency, the Personnel Team will work in partnership with HR Advisory to meet the requirements of any possible change in the visa processes.

Question: Will UCL be able to issue proof of employment, including contracts for those staff who do not have them, to all EU staff – especially those who wish to apply for residency or citizenship? NB: some staff are reporting that they do not have a formal contract.

Response: Any staff members who state they do not have a formal contract are to contact the Personnel Office who will follow up with HR Advisory to provide staff with a copy of their employment contract.

Question: Could guidance be issued to all recruiting managers as soon as possible to instruct them that there must be no discrimination against EU citizens applying for a job?

Response: Recruiting Managers are unaware of an applicant’s immigration status at the time of recruitment.  There is no possibility for the recruitment and selection panel to discriminate on the basis of immigration status.

Colleagues should know that the Provost is writing individually to each (non-British) EU member of staff in the coming days to re-assure them. If colleagues have not received a letter by Friday, I would recommend that they should contact the email address eustaffqueries@ucl.ac.uk

Also, there is a Town Hall meeting today (Tuesday) at 11.00: bookings can be made here.The event is also being livestreamed and the link is here – the Provost, Professor David Price and Wendy Appleby as well as Dame Nicola Brewer will be there to take questions on what Brexit means for UCL staff.

Let me re-assure colleagues once more that no changes will take place in the next 2 years, whilst details of the discussions between the UK and the European Union on their new relationship are agreed. UCL understands how sensitive these issues are and is lobbying hard for the best deal for EU nationals working in UCL, who are trusted and valued as an integral part of the UCL family.

Paul Ayris

Director of UCL Library Services