Key features of the relationship

A Registration Agreement for Casual Work may be appropriate to use if the following features apply:

• There is no guarantee or expectation of continued work.
• It is understood that any offer of work may be withdrawn.
• It is understood and accepted that individuals can refuse any work offered without penalty* and that this is allowed to happen in practice.
• It is understood and accepted that individuals could withdraw their service without penalty*, prior to starting a work session, even after agreeing to it.
• It is understood by both parties that once an engagement has begun, there is an expectation that it is completed by the individual.
• The level of demand for work is variable and may fluctuate, and is not guaranteed or agreed far in advance.
• Each period of work or work session is of a short duration and termination of each session is agreed in advance, normally by reference to a date.
• There are typically breaks of at least 1 week between each period of work, and no obligations (i.e. to either offer or accept further engagements) between periods of work.

However, once an individual has accepted and commenced the engagement, the expectation is that:

1. Work is completed by the contracted individual, with no right of substitution during the session;
2. During the engagement the individual cannot temporarily or permanently withdraw their services without notice.

If all of the above are features of the arrangement are present then there should be no employment relationship between periods of work, and a `Registration Agreement for Casual Work´ could be used.

*’without penalty’ means without the threat of, or actual removal of their registration to undertake other casual work simply for rejecting work.

Principal individual rights associated with contract: Unless the employment relationship type changes over time, can only obtain List A rights. See Employment rights summary.  However, during each engagement they would also be eligible for List B and C rights, subject to fulfilling defined criteria.

University statutory obligations

Immigration & Preventing Illegal Working: The offence of employing a person subject to immigration control (Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006) applies. Civil penalty of up to £20,000 per illegal employee, and knowingly employing someone illegally is a criminal offence with a potential prison sentence or unlimited fine.

Pre-placement Checks: Health checks and criminal record checks (where relevant), are processed by Human Resources with the applicant prior to confirmation of appointment.

Health & Safety: Employees are in the scope of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HSWA), and the common law provisions.

Equal Opportunities: In line with the University’s commitment to equality all employees are required to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with and follow the Equal Opportunities Policy and Code of Practice for Staff.

Recruitment process: For all recruitment and engagement activity undertaken by engaging department, please see the process for engaging casual workers.  Please note the process differs when engaging student casual workers.

Financial authorisation: Requires prior approval from the Head of Department. It is an engaging department’s responsibility to ensure that there are sufficient funds available within their existing budget to pay workers, including for associated benefits (see below).

Responsibility for administration/record keeping: Department to maintain sufficient records relating to each engagement period undertaken by the individual. This also includes all refusals of offers of work / cancelled engagements, etc. (to evidence breaks in employment).

Department to calculate annual leave entitlements, maintain records and arrange payment for annual leave.

Work allocation: Determined by the engaging department.

Pay and grading: See wage types and pay rates.

Payment process:  Payments made via submission of claims forms, authorised by engaging department.  Payments are made monthly following the submission of a claim form, with payslips sent to the home address.

Tax treatment: Income tax and NI to be deducted at source.

Staff benefits: Statutory benefits accrue during each engagement period ONLY.  These include:

• Right to paid annual leave (maximum of 28 days per annum)
• Eligibility to SSP / SMP / SAP if meeting the relevant criteria
• Pension Scheme Membership (subject to meeting eligibility criteria)

UCard Allocation: External UCard for those undertaking non-teaching work, Associate UCard for those undertaking teaching-related activity. Departments should request that individuals return their UCards back to the department between engagements.

Induction: An Induction checklist for workers provides the suggested minimum induction. Departments should pay individuals for any time required to undertake induction training.

Development and training: Departments are responsible for ensuring casual workers are equipped and skilled to undertake their role.

Please note that example activities and example job titles are provided as a guide.  If you are uncertain about the appropriate equivalent grade for the role, please consult the Grade Profiles or seek advice from your Faculty HR Contact.

Please note that example activities and example job titles are provided as a guide.  If you are uncertain about the appropriate equivalent grade for the role, please consult the Grade Profiles or seek advice from your Faculty HR Contact.

Please note that example activities and example job titles are provided as a guide.  If you are uncertain about the appropriate equivalent grade for the role, please consult the Grade Profiles or seek advice from your Faculty HR Contact.

Please note that example activities and example job titles are provided as a guide.  If you are uncertain about the appropriate equivalent grade for the role, please consult the Grade Profiles or seek advice from your Faculty HR Contact.

PLEASE USE THESE CODES FOR UNIVERSITY TEACHING ONLY.

Please note that example activities and example job titles are provided as a guide.  If you are uncertain about the appropriate equivalent grade for the role, please consult the Grade Profiles or seek advice from your Faculty HR Contact.

Please note that example activities and example job titles are provided as a guide.  If you are uncertain about the appropriate equivalent grade for the role, please consult the Grade Profiles or seek advice from your Faculty HR Contact.

Please note that example activities and example job titles are provided as a guide.  If you are uncertain about the appropriate equivalent grade for the role, please consult the Grade Profiles or seek advice from your Faculty HR Contact.

New casual workers should:

• Complete the Registration Form for Payment of Workers.
• Access the Registration Agreement for Casual Work.
• Then submit the form to the department for authorisation. 

The department will:

• Conduct an Eligibility to Work (ETW) Check.
• Return ETW and Registration Form to HR by email (hr-registration@sheffield.ac.uk).

Click here to view the full registration process.

• Eligibility to Work in the UK
• National Insurance Numbers for Casual Workers
• Guidance: Pensions Auto-enrolment
• Payroll Dates
• Guidance: Changing Your Details
• FAQs