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 is implemented within the OP VVV project “Development of JU – Capacities for R&D“.


Benefits of a University and Researcher Strategy:

  • increasing the university prestige and attractiveness for researchers (in the Czech republic and abroad),

  • link up to the whole of European network of researchers and organizations, international attractiveness and visibility,

  • acquisition of research fundings (from European and national programs to support research) – preference in TACR, HORIZON 2020 and others,

  • improving the quality of care for human resources – positive changes in working culture,

  • 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:
    • satisfying needs of researchers and developing their professional growth,

    • creating a favourable working environment,

    • ensuring transparent recruitment, selection and evaluation of new researchers,

    • acknowledgement of experience from mobilities in the public and private sectors.


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.

Source: Euraxess

 

First phase - Initiation 

Title steps

Terms

Subscribe to principles included in Charta and Code

01/12/2018

Questionnaire survey

Analysis of the "HR Award" - Qualitative part

Analysis of the "HR Award" - Quantitative part                  

04/2018

Focus group meeting

05/2018

Action plan, GAP analysis and OTM-R

04-11/2018

Sending GAP, AP and OTM-R  to EC

30/11/2018

Evaluation result by EC – minor comments

20/03/2019

Sending AP+GAP analysis – modified

16/05/2019

HR Award obtained

22/07/2019

Final output

Action plan

Gap analysis

OTM-R

 

Second phase - Implementation

Title steps

Terms

Implementation of steps according to AP

Continously since 1/12/2018

HR Award Workshop for employees                              

13/11/2019

Internal evaluation and assesment, making revised AP

08/2021

Implementation of revised AP

08/2021 – 09/2024

Evaluation by EC = defense of awarding

08/2021 – 09/2024

If awarding defended, then renewal phase

Check in three-year cycles  

Final output

Revised Action Plan for Period until 9/2024

 

Current outcomes

Action of AP Outcome
1
 
Rector´s Ordinance No.432_Stipulating the USB Code of Conduct
Rector´s Ordinance No.432_Annexe 1
Rector´s Ordinance No.432_Annexe 2
2

 
Rector´s Ordinance No.433_The Rules and Procedure of the USB Ethics Committee
Ombudsman of the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice
Call for Investigation to the USB Ombudsman
Rector's Ordinance No.434 Dealing with Harassment in the Workplace
Appendix no. 1  to the Rector's Ordinance Stipulating the USB Code of Conduct (R253)
3 Internal Communication Strategy
Annexe 1_ List of major information systems used at USB
4 Internal Communication Strategy
Annexe 1_ List of major information systems used at USB
5 How to publish an advertisement on Euraxess
Guidance on Processing of Personal Data of Job Applicants
Filling and Handling Job Applicants Complaints
Recommended Recruitment Process for Non-Academic Staff at the USB in České Budějovice
Annexe 1: Members of Selection Committee
Annexe 2: Job Applicant Evaluation
6 USB Staff Training and Development Strategy - Concept
8 Mobility at the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice
Annexe 1: International Mobility Opportunities for Researchers
Annexe 2: International Mobility Opportunities for Academic and Non-Academic Staff
Annexe 3: International Mobility Opportunities for Doctoral Students
9 Postdoctoral positions at the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice (Recommendation)
10 Rector's Ordinance No.421 on Performing Work for the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice  outside the Employer's Workplace - Homeworking
Annex to Rector’s Ordinance No. R 421
17 Gender Equality Plan of the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice

 

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).

Both outcomes are available only for the use of the HR staff at University of South Bohemia. Contact: dolezalovav@jcu.cz

Members of work group HR Award:

 

Contact

Ing. Hynek Rossmüller

E-mail: rossmh@jcu.cz

 

Mgr. Jan Cejpek

E-mail: cejpek@jcu.cz

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