A new take on zero hours contracts?

As another Scottish Further Education College principal is reported being given ‘garden leave’ worth £70,000, we actually wonder as to whether it might actually be considered as another take on zero hours contracts?

The difference being that, if you are not a college principal or senior manager, then you get paid zero, zilch, zip if you actually do zero hours.

But this take is £70,000 – while doing zero hours!

Mind you, you might need to be available if the college needs to ask you something even if you go on a world cruise!  We are not aware of any questions being asked; indeed we understand that Ronnie Knox advised that it was not his fault that he was not asked anything!

The HeraldScotland reports Wednesday 26 November 2014

Six-figure salaries for top jobs as costs are cut
 

Scotland's largest college is paying six-figure annual salaries for two principals despite facing a £1.7 million black hole.

Former principal Mandy Exley, who submitted her notice four weeks ago, will receive roughly £70,000 while on gardening leave for six months.

Interim principal Dr Elaine McMahon has already started in the role and is believed to be earning £140,000 a year.

College union chiefs said staff were surprised at the spending when education is facing serious cuts. Union leader Mike Cowley, of the college's EIS-FELA branch, said: "Staff are bewildered and angry at what they see as squandering of public money in a climate of austerity."

A college spokeswoman said: "Edinburgh College is one of the biggest in the UK and it is essential to have a principal and a strong executive team to cover the large remit associated with running a college of this size."

Is the ‘remit’ bigger than other colleges?

Could we suggest that for all colleges “it is essential to have a principal and a strong executive team”  although we would not agree that this team needs to be bloated and on salaries that are excessive, indeed are ????

Who in government is dealing with this? Anyone?

Who in the unions is dealing with this? Anyone?

And why the surprise ? Considering national positions held by EIS members in this college we find this incredulous!

The Correlate 6 October 2014

“The head of Scotland's ­largest college is to step down from the role next year.
Mandy Exley, principal of Edinburgh College, has told staff she will leave the post in June after leading the 2012 merger of the institution from three former colleges in the capital.
Since the merger staff have been out on strike over pay and there is ongoing concern over the lack of progress in uniting terms and conditions of staff from the original colleges.
In a statement to staff, Ms Exley said the time was right for her to take up a new venture. She said: "I am developing different business interests, including some non-­executive director roles and plan to fulfil my long held desire to work in international developments.
"These first two years of building Edinburgh College have been challenging yet extremely rewarding.”
Just how rewarding will be interesting considering the level of payouts made to exiting Principals in the recent past … including reports of “garden leave” .. which in one case was alleged as being six months.
Just enough time to go on a world cruise - while earning around £60k? (we note our underestimate! sorry!)
Anyone for gardening?