Principles
The following are the general principles underpinning the guidance in the other sections of the ECA webpages:
- 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.