LIFE marked by cutbacks

The past few months at LIFE have been marked by a large cost-cutting round caused by cutbacks in the 2011-2013 budgets. Temporary Dean Erik Bisgaard Madsen regrets the situation but hopes, at the same time, that we can look forward to a year in which everyone at LIFE will work together to meet the challenges ahead of us so we can attain our goals.

 

As we all know, LIFE has had to implement cost reductions amounting to 48 million DKK (24 million of which will be saved in 2011). Unfortunately, the cost-cuttings have influenced many employees at the faculty.

 

Yesterday, Wednesday 5 January 2011, 60 LIFE employees were dismissed, 10 employees were notified about reduced works hours and one employee was notified about alternative tasks. 17 of the 60 dismissed employees are academic staff while 43 are technical or administrative staff.

 

The Faculty Management hopes that part of this overwhelming number can be alleviated through a set of initiatives. Hopefully, some will be offered new employment during the notification period which can make it possible to withdraw some of the dismissals. And, like last year, the University of Copenhagen has established a CV database which will ensure that dismissed employees can be taken into consideration for relevant positions. Another offer which the implicated employees can choose to take part in is a so-called outplacement course. The course provides external expertise on job seeking as well as an opportunity to receive critical incident stress debriefing or support in the difficult time in between employment.

 

Regardless of these initiatives, the Faculty Management regrets that LIFE has had to dismiss very competent employees. And naturally many people at LIFE will feel very affected by the difficult situation we are in.

 

The Faculty Management hopes that all managers and employees will do their utmost to support the colleagues who must leave us to get through the difficult times ahead of them. With fewer available resources we must, at the same time, work together to ensure a reasonable prioritisation of tasks in order to re-establish the balance between work life and sense of community as soon as possible.

 

Best regards and wishes for a happy new year

Erik Bisgaard Madsen, Temporary Dean

 

At www.life.ku.dk/cutbacks, you can read more about the cutbacks at LIFE. That is also where you will find advice and guidance if you have been dismissed.