HR AWARD - HRS4R
On the 11th of March 2005, the European Commission published the 2005/251 /EC Recommendation on the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers. The European Charter for Researchers specifies the roles, responsibilities and entitlements of researchers, employers and funders of researchers. Charter and Code pledge research institutions to create friendly working conditions, professional development and transparent recruitment process. Charter and Code addresses researchers, employers and funders, who work in the public sector as well as in the private sector.
On the 3rd of January 2018 “An Action plan for the Development of Human Resources for Research, Development and Innovation and Gender equality in Research, Development and Innovation in the Czech Republic for the years 2018 – 2020“ was submitted to the Government by Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, which introduced it as its priority. The plan was chartered as a part of implementation process of the measures listed in National Policy for Research, Development and Innovation in the Czech Republic which recommends the implementation of the EU Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers.
In line with the 2016-2020 Long-term Plan, the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice (next as „USB“) subscribed to the principles included in the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for Recruitment of Researchers in November 2017. USB was one of the first institutions in the Czech Republic that did so. Herewith, USB wanted to join more than 400 award-winning universities in Europe.
The aim is to obtain the HR Award, which is granted by the European Commission to Research Institutions that implement HRS4R (The Human Resources Strategy for Researchers) strategy based on these principles. The main benefit of the implementation of HRS4R is to ensure that the nature of the relationship between researchers and employers is conducive to successful performance in generating, transferring, sharing and disseminating knowledge and technological development, and to the career development of researchers.
On the 22nd of July 2019, University of South Bohemia obtained a prestigious evaluation HR Award.
Obtaining the HR Award was implemented within the OP VVV project “Development of USB – Capacities for R&D“.
https://www.jcu.cz/en/science-and-research/euraxess-service-centre
Benefits of a University and Researcher Strategy:
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increasing the university prestige and attractiveness for researchers (in the Czech republic and abroad),
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link up to the whole of European network of researchers and organizations, international attractiveness and visibility,
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acquisition of research fundings (from European and national programs to support research) – preference in TACR, HORIZON 2020 and others,
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improving the quality of care for human resources – positive changes in working culture,
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transparency and openness towards the public – increasing the number of students, higher interest of the young generation and the general public in science,
- creating conditions for more sustainable and attractive career in R&D at the university, among others through:
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satisfying needs of researchers and developing their professional growth,
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creating a favourable working environment,
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ensuring transparent recruitment, selection and evaluation of new researchers,
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acknowledgement of experience from mobilities in the public and private sectors.
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Schedule of the project
On the 1st of December 2017, USB in České Budějovice subscribed to principles included in The European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their Recruitment.
First of all, University of South Bohemia developed an internal GAP analysis that aimed to compare current practice at the university with the Charter and Code and guidebook for transparent recruitment of researchers, the so-called OTM-R manual. Internal inputs for GAP analysis were gathered via questionnaire survey, aiming at all university employees to guarantee objectivity as much as possible. Survey was focused on four circles of topics consequent from GAP analysis: Ethical and Professional Aspects, Recruitment and Selection, Working Conditions, Training and Development.
Focus group meeting was set up after survey processing to discuss and evaluate gathered data. The main target of the meeting was to obtain opinions of chosen university students/employees and then to draw a survey conclusion. The university not only listed these conclusions in GAP analysis, but also responded to them in Action plan in form of steps to be taken to eliminate the identified problems.
Since the 1st of December 2018 an workgroup has continuously been working on fulfiling the aims of Action plan in order to ensure the University of South Bohemia is getting to be in accordance with Charter and Code.
First phase - Initiation
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Title steps |
Terms |
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Subscribe to principles included in Charta and Code |
01/12/2018 |
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Questionnaire survey Analysis of the "HR Award" - Qualitative part Analysis of the "HR Award" - Quantitative part |
04/2018 |
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Focus group meeting |
05/2018 |
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Action plan, GAP analysis and OTM-R |
04-11/2018 |
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Sending GAP, AP and OTM-R to EC |
30/11/2018 |
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Evaluation result by EC – minor comments |
20/03/2019 |
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Sending AP+GAP analysis – modified |
16/05/2019 |
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HR Award obtained |
22/07/2019 |
Final output
Second phase - Implementation
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Title steps |
Terms |
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Implementation of steps according to AP |
Continously since 1/12/2018 |
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HR Award Workshop for employees |
13/11/2019 |
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Internal evaluation and assesment, making revised AP |
08/2021 |
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Implementation of revised AP |
08/2021 – 09/2024 |
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Evaluation by EC = defense of awarding |
09/2024 |
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If awarding defended, then renewal phase |
Check in three-year cycles |
Final output
Revised Action Plan for Period until 9/2024
Improved Action Plan for Period until 9/2027
Current outcomes
Other outcomes:
Action 5: Overview of Selection Procedure Outcome Responses
Action 7: Labour law legislative documents have been updated and new documents were also created (all of them in Czech and English version).
Action 13: Methodical support for HR (Entering a new employment relationship in EGJE; Termination of an employment relationship (non-renewal of the employment contract after a specified period); Assignment of an ACJ and a contract of employment at another faculty as a supplement to an existing contract of employment).
Both outcomes are available only for the use of the HR staff at University of South Bohemia. Contact:
Members of work group HR Award:
- Král Pavel, PhDr., Ph.D. (Vice-Rector for Development and Public Affairs USB) - main responsible person
The activities of the implementation group and the implementation of individual phases are supervised by the Steering Committee, which is composed of representatives of the University management and senior professional staff of the University.
Contact
Ing. Hynek Rossmüller
E-mail:
Mgr. Jan Cejpek
E-mail:
Interesting links
