University of Derby UK Reviews

Pros

Amazing sites and facilities filled with lovely people, state of the art facilities with a really relaxed working environment. The University has a real desire to grow and better itself and its achieving this.

Cons

The pay is not competitive, mine is out by about 20k. They say the working environment is but it isn't really. The main campus has an issue with parking it was not uncommon to not be able to park. They charge employees for a parking permit but then say they cant use the facilities on certain days. To try and get around some of the issues they have brought in a private enforcement company who are now fining employees who are just trying to get into work and make the university a better place. I have heard some of my colleagues who look after the service delivery have been exposed to asbestos.

Pros

* work life balance * friendly colleagues *supportive teams * facilities are fairly new and developed *accessible and easy to get too

Cons

* poor management style and managers who arent qualified to be managers *low morale overall *unprofessional *inconsiderate and uncompassionate *offload work onto you when someone has left *unsupportive * like being in a cult except your not part of it and only the managers are *clicky atmosphere and environment between everyone who has been a 'longstanding employee'

Pros

Great place to study and better oneself as a person

Cons

Online learning needs a lot of self discipline and hard work

Pros

- Not much! Some good people

Cons

- Deluded and incompetent Senior Management who are focussed on their own careers and self importance. Many also try to manage by fear and thus alienate those working in their area but wonder why engagement is so low - genuinely clueless! - Shambolic and completely unrealistic approach to longer term strategy. The ‘Strategic Framework’ and associated compulsory indoctrination courses are woeful and embarrassing - Internal processes (ordering goods, recruiting etc) largely not fit for purpose and impede on ability to do job - Increasing workload without potential for decent increase in reward/recognition - Many academics are trapped and want to leave but can’t due to family, location, state of HE generally etc - Almost constantly under some form of reorganisation meaning nothing gets embedded before it’s changed again. Such flux means difficult to do job - Not exclusive to this institution, but likely future devaluing of pension provision due to escalating costs - If you have any research ambitions, this is NOT the institution for you!