Exceptional Contribution Awards
The following pages give information and guidance about the University of Sheffield's Exceptional Contribution Award (ECA) scheme.
The ECA process for 2012-13 has been streamlined pending a review of the University’s Reward & Recognition Strategy. The principles for ECAs remain unchanged from previous years.
These awards are available to all staff on The University of Sheffield Grading Scheme, regardless of their position on their grade. ECA recommendations can only be made following an SRDS review, where the staff member was rated 1.
ECAs are used by the University to reward both staff who have contributed exceptionally, and staff who have demonstrated sustained excellence (as evidenced by their SRDS review). Departmental recommendations are considered and approved at faculty level.
ECAs are paid as a lump sum, equivalent to an increment. If a member of staff is awarded an ECA in two successive years, it is consolidated into an extra increment in the second year.
ECAs are effective from 1 January, so all panels and decisions will need to be concluded within Faculties and Professional Services by 31 December 2012.
If you have any queries about ECAs, please contact Reward & Benefits (promotions@sheffield.ac.uk).
Principles
The following are the general principles underpinning the award of ECAs.
- ECAs are applicable to all staff, at any point on the University of Sheffield Grading Scheme.
- ECAs can be awarded on the basis of exceptional contribution within the previous review year, or excellent contribution sustained over the previous few years (normally more than two).
- ECA recommendations will be considered within faculties.
- ECAs are not a substitute for promotion.
- ECAs will be paid in January.
- ECAs are in the form of a lump sum payment equivalent in value to an increment.
- ECAs are non-consolidated and non-superannuable in the first year.
- ECAs are consolidated into superannuable pay in the second successive year of award, in addition to a lump sum payment.
- ECAs do not confer on the individual concerned the expectation of automatic progression to, or within, the exceptional contribution range within the grade.
- ECAs can only be recommended as a result of SRDS reviews and an assessment rating of 1.
Exceptional Contribution
Exceptional contribution should be clearly recognisable and be well beyond simply exceeding the level agreed or anticipated for a role. Alternatively, it may be a particularly outstanding achievement or innovation.
Sustained Excellence
Sustained excellence should be clearly recognisable and beyond simply exceeding the level agreed or anticipated for a role. The excellent contribution has to be sustained over a number of years (normally more than two).
Recommendations
Recommendations should include evidence and examples of actual outputs and achievement (sustained over a number of years if the recommendation is for sustained excellence). It should also take account of and be determined in the light of the relevant context – i.e. the particular department and/or discipline, and the grade of the individual concerned.
Deadlines
| Faculty ECA Deadlines | |
|---|---|
| Faculty of Arts & Humanities | 30 September 2012 |
| Faculty of Engineering | 28 September 2012 |
| Faculty of Medicince, Dentistry & Health | 5 October 2012 |
| Faculty of Science | 19 October 2012 |
| Faculty of Social Sciences | 5 October 2012 |
| Professional Services | 12 October 2012 |