New Employees

Below is important information to prepare you for your role at Aston. This will help you settle in and get up and running quickly. 
If you are new to higher Education complete the New to HE module on iLearn.

If you have any queries that this page does not answer please contact your line manager, your Recruitment Coordinator or HR Assistant. They will help you or point you in the right direction.

This page is aimed at new employees on permanent and fixed term contracts. If you are a casual worker looking for information, please visit our Casual Worker page.

Working here

Getting and using your staff network account

You will receive your Staff Network account details once you have had your Right to Work check completed by HR. Your Staff Network account details gives you access to your:

• Aston email
• Blackboard (our Virtual Learning Environment) for Academic Staff
• Aston Staff Portal Account (see below)
• iLearn - where you access your mandatory training, book and enrol onto courses
• other University-wide systems 

If you have had your Right to Work check completed by HR but do not have your Staff Network Account details, please contact recruitment@aston.ac.uk.

Using your Aston Staff Portal account

At Aston University we use an online system called the Aston Staff Portal to help manage administrative activities. You now have access to your account in the Staff Portal, where you can do the following: 

• View your payslips
• Make annual leave requests and see your annual leave entitlement
• Claim expenses
• Claim timesheets (if you are a casual worker)
• Update your personal details
• View your contract and salary details
• Update your HESA (Higher Education Statistical Agency) details

It is important that you keep your account up to date. As a new employee, you need to update your Portal account with some important details: 

• Emergency Contact Details
• Equality and Diversity Details
• Bank Details (so that we can pay you!)

Our commitment to you

‘Our Commitment to You’ sets out our pledge to people we interact with internally and externally and how we will deliver an exceptional experience here at Aston. It also provides a set of professional standards that share what we will do to drive a positive service experience. Learn about Our Commitment to You via our bit-sized video. 

OCTY Overview (pdf)

Mandatory training

At Aston there are mandatory courses which we ask all employees to complete. You can find all the mandatory modules on iLearn.

Values and Behaviours

Our values and behaviours influence the way that we make decisions and work together to get things done. Where there’s a strong sense of shared values we can work more effectively, deliver our best, and as an organisation be more resilient during change.

WHAT IS THEIR PURPOSE?

• Our values link directly to achieving the University’s mission, vision and 2030 strategy through:
• Building a supportive, inclusive, and highly motivated staff community across all disciplines, functions and activities.
• Attracting and retaining the talented and diverse staff we need to achieve our mission.
• Harnessing our collective strength to deliver our strategic goals.
• A supportive and considerate community based on diversity, mutual respect and a commitment to excellence. An environment which is respectful and collaborative and has a zero-tolerance approach to bullying and harassment.
• Creating positive workplace which enables all staff to deliver for our beneficiaries and for each other.

Our shared commitment130.5 KB

Our behaviours

Induction

Local induction with your manager

The majority of your induction as Aston University will be carried out by your line manager. In your first week at Aston you will sit with your manager to discuss your role and meet with your team, to learn about the University’s history, culture and values and the vision. This is a chance to get to know your manager and for them to get to know you.

In the first couple of months we will send you a short survey so you can tell us about your local induction experience.

 

Casual and agency worker induction 

As a new casual member of staff you will need to complete the ‘Welcome to Aston - an introduction for casual workers’ online course which can be accessed through iLearn. If however, you have previously been employed at Aston and have completed this course in the past 12 months, you don’t need to complete it again.

 

 

Probation

As a new employee you will have a period of probation.

A probation period is an initial period of employment at the start of a new role. During this time, your suitability for the role will be assessed. Essentially, it’s a trial period for both the employee and the employer. Your role will only become permanent if you successfully complete the probationary period.

Here are some key points about probation periods:

1. Purpose: Probation periods allow Aston (the employer) to ensure they made the right choice in hiring. It also gives employees a chance to assess if the job aligns with their expectations and goals.
2. Duration: Probation periods are dependent on your role and grade and are set in out in your contract of employment.
3. Assessment: During probation, your manager will assess your performance, skills, adaptability, behaviour, and cultural fit.
4. Development and support: If additional development or support is needed, it can be identified during probation process.
5. Your manager will have regular conversations with you so come prepared with updates on your work, and any questions you may have. It is important that you fully engage with the process to build relationships and get up and running quickly into your role. Approach this time as an opportunity to learn, grow, and demonstrate your value to the organization.

To find out more about probation at Aston read the policy here:

• Professional Staff
• Academic Staff

Here are some top tips for being successful in your probation period:

1. Show enthusiasm right from the start.
2. Be friendly and communicative with the team of people you are working with.
3. Organise your time well and be sure you are going to be able to meet deadlines. If you risk not making one then be open about it – honesty is always appreciated.
4.  Accept feedback you are given whether it is positive or negative and learn from it. 
5. Regularly read through your job description as this will help you stay grounded and carry out the role expected by you.
6. Play to your strengths. If you know you are good at something then make sure others see this too. It could be a task, something technical that needs solving, or something else.
7. Don’t self-sabotage your probation. Know your contract, your duties, and your employer’s expectations.
8. Be keen to get involved. Show an eagerness to learn new things.

 

Pay, pensions and benefits

For more information on our pay structure, pension schemes and benefits of working at Aston, go to our Payroll, Pensions and Benefits pages.

Development at Aston

As well as offering a range of learning and development programmes and coaching support, Organisational Development Partners provide tailored development to leaders, managers and their teams, to improve performance and engagement across the University.

Visit iLearn for all development opportunities. 

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Explore Equality, Diversity and Inclusion modules on iLearn. 

For HR Policies click here. 

Annual leave

Aston offers a generous annual leave entitlement. For full time employees this is:

• 25 days for staff on grades 1-6
• 30 days for staff on grades 7-10
• 31 days for Professorial staff

Entitlement is pro-rated for part-time staff, and for staff starting part way through an annual leave year. See here for more information.

Managing at Aston

If you are a new manager at Aston, visit our Manager's area.

Unions

There are two recognised campus unions which represent appropriate grades and certain roles/jobs within the university. Details are available here. 

Citizenship at Aston

Citizenship is an integral part of our Aston life. It’s something we all do when we help each other, our students and the community. Watch this short video to find out more:

Check out the Staff Volunteering Page 

Relocation expenses

Aston offers a relocation package for employees moving to the Birmingham area. This is subject to new employees meeting certain criteria.
 

• Relocation Policy
• Relocation Expenses Claim Form

Full terms and conditions

• Terms and Conditions of Employment
• Terms and Conditions of Employment - KTP Associates

Environment and Sustainability

Here at Aston we are strongly committed to becoming a more sustainable University and have various initiatives in place to make this happen.  As new members of staff we would like you to get involved with these and help Aston to make a difference. You can find out more in the University's Sustainability Policy and on our Sustainability Webpages. 

All new employees are encouraged to look through Our Environment and Sustainability Induction. 

Employee Wellbeing

Visit out Wellbeing Pages for more information.

Aston News 

Find out about whats happening across Aston with our regular news bulletins, termly magazine, Platform, and our social media channels, Yammer.

• Aston News 
• Platform Magazine (3 editions a year March, June and October)
• Yammer