HERA Information

The University implemented a job evaluation scheme called HERA (Higher Education Role Analysis) on 1 August 2006. This scheme covers the grading of all staff apart from academic and research staff, who are covered by a different but related review process- see Annual Review Procedures for Academic and Research Staff. Nationally agreed role profiles have also been adopted to assist in the grading procedure for academic and research staff.

A job evaluation scheme is a fair and objective method of measuring the "size" of jobs and then allocating them to a grading structure. HERA is used in over 120 higher education institutions in the UK and is acknowledged to be a fair, objective and reasonable means of evaluating roles across the university sector.

Agreement has been reached with the Campus Trade Unions to introduce a revised Grading Review Procedure for all posts (except academic and research), with effect from 1 November 2009. Details of this procedure can be accessed by the button at the side of this page, together with further information on the HERA process (including the form to be used to request a review of grading).

The HERA scheme is used to both review the grading of staff in post and also to establish the grading for a new post. Details are as follows:

Staff covered by the HERA process should follow the procedure set out in the document Grading Review Procedure accessed via the Grading Review Procedure button at the side of this page . Staff who wish to be evaluated must use the "Record of Evidence-(Grading Review Form)". This can be accessed via the HERA documents button at the side of this page and will allow access to further helpful information about HERA. The Link HR Officers will be pleased to assist if staff have any queries on the process or the procedure.

All new or re-structured posts must be job evaluated prior to the commencement of the recruitment process. In order to commence the process for evaluating a new post, Heads of Schools/Departments and Professional Services must complete the "Role Outline Form"(accessed by the HERA documents button at the side of this page). This form together with a job description/person specification should be sent to the Deputy Director of HR/HERA Co-ordinator. The post will be evaluated by two Job Analysts in HR (including the link HR Officer) and a grading allocated, normally within 10 working days of the form being received in Human Resources.

Documents, forms and information about HERA can be accessed by the button at the side of this page. This HERA information is password protected because the scheme is a commercial package with information restricted to members of ECC Ltd (the owners of HERA-universities across the UK). The University of Essex is a member of ECC Ltd. Once the HERA documents button is clicked, then staff will need to enter "campus\ " followed by an Essex "user name", followed by an Essex "password". This is the same routine required to access your email account in the University.