High Psychological Distress Among UTS Staff as 400 Jobs Face Elimination

Staff at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) are experiencing high levels of psychological distress as they brace for 400 redundancies as part of a broader cull of Australian university workers, according to a leaked survey.

The survey of 380 workers by the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU), obtained by ABC News, found 35 per cent were experiencing very high levels of psychological distress.

Dr Hossai Gul, a UTS expert in change in complex systems, highlighted the feelings of helplessness and uncertainty among the staff. She emphasized the importance of handling the situation with kindness and compassion to prevent negative impacts on employees.

The redundancies at UTS are expected to lead to the downgrading of important areas of scholarship and teaching, causing distress among the workforce.

The university is undergoing a $100 million restructure to address financial challenges, with the need to reduce spending to protect core teaching and research activities.

Consultants KPMG have been engaged to provide advice on the Operational Sustainability Initiative (OSI), which could result in 400 job losses and course cuts at UTS.

Staff members have expressed fear and uncertainty about the situation, with concerns about job security and the lack of consultation by university management.

The National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) has raised concerns about the impact of job cuts on staff wellbeing and the lack of proper consultation by UTS management.

Universities across Australia are facing similar challenges, with job losses and course cuts being announced in various institutions.

This wave of job cuts has raised anxiety among university staff, prompting calls for greater transparency and accountability in university governance.

UTS is not alone in the struggle, with several other universities also planning significant job cuts to address financial pressures.

The sector is seeking additional funding from the government to support research and teaching activities.

According to the source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation.