Employment At Unisa, Remuneration & Employee Benefits
Taken As It Is From The Unisa Website
Set against a vision of putting employees first within the institution, the University of South Africa (UNISA) has aligned all policies and procedures sufficient to be regarded as the “Employer of Choice” within the higher education sphere.
The Association of Commonwealth Universities recently conducted a salary survey with regard to academic staff in the Commonwealth countries. The survey results indicated that South African universities ranked 3rd highest with regard to remuneration paid to academics. After comparing the remuneration packages of academic staff within UNISA with the other South African universities that participated in the survey, UNISA ranked the highest.
Cultivating a mindset within the institution that employees are the main priority is made possible by an institutional culture premised on the Vice Chancellor’s vision for the university. Unisa’s remuneration strategy boasts, amongst others, competitive salaries that are in relation to the market on an annual basis and the payment of scarcity allowances in areas where skills are scarce and critical.
Employee benefits
As part of the Conditions of Employment, UNISA offers a wide range of benefits to an employee, in addition to a competitive salary, that would be difficult to match within the higher education sphere.
Leave provisions in the various categories viz. vacation, research and development, sick leave, relocation leave, maternity leave etc. are extremely generous whilst the institution supports not only the postgraduate development of its employees but also the development of spouses and children through a unique study benefit system. Contributions towards the official retirement fund ensure a healthy accumulation of savings which should support the maintenance of a comfortable lifestyle upon retirement. UNISA subsidizes the employee’s membership in medical aid and participation in an employee Group Life Scheme thereby giving an employee peace of mind in the event of unforeseen circumstances.
The fact that some employees have been in the employ of UNISA for more than 30 consecutive years bears testimony to the fact that employees have felt a sense of security within the institution and have appreciated the employee benefits it has offered over the years. Unisa honours those who have invested long service in the institution through the payment of long-service monetary awards and the presentation of a certificate to an employee personally by the Principal of the institution.