Working environment

Deputy director apologizes and promises stricter access restrictions.

After the University of Copenhagen cancels its layoffs, the timetable will now be adjusted: Staff members to be informed earlier about where they will be placed in the new organisation structure.

Technical and administrative employees at UCPH have for a long time been in limbo — awaiting a planned round of layoffs. The layoffs have now been taken off the table. But the criticism of management is still there. The University Director regrets that the process has been so protracted.

»I am keenly aware that the prospect of layoffs has been like a black cloud over this university, and has affected both individual employees and the working environment in general,« says University Director Søren Skydsgaard. This is after the announcement that this autumn's round of layoffs has been cancelled.

We asked Merete Eldrup, chair of the Board of the University of Copenhagen (UCPH), how they are going to reform the administration when the employees don’t support them.

Two experts wonder whether the University of Copenhagen has shown sufficient diligence when almost DKK 60 million has been spent on consultants prior to the administration reform. University director defends the big numbers.

280 full-time equivalent staff will be cut from the administration. Chair of the Board stresses that the cuts must be included in any future political demands for savings.

We asked organizational psychologist Malene Friis Andersen what the major changes at the University of Copenhagen mean in terms of employee well-being.