ON THE PECULIARITIES OF THE LABOUR FUNCTION OF ACADEMIC AND TEACHING STAFF

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to determine the peculiarities of the labour function of academic and teaching staff. Research methods: documentary analysis and synthesis, cognitive-analytical method, as well as methods of systematization and generalization. Results: it has been established that the labour function of academic and teaching staff is multifaceted and complex. The heterogeneity of their labour function is also reflected in the peculiarities of their working time, which includes not only the time of the educational process itself, but also preparation for classes (which requires systematizing scientific and didactic material and incorporating it into teaching methodology), research activities, retraining and professional development. This significantly exceeds the standard limits of working time established for this category of employees. The recording of these types of activities is minimized. Thus, despite the statutory limitation of the maximum working time for academic and teaching staff, in practice they are compelled – if they wish to remain competitive – to work at maximum capacity. Discussion: the view is put forward that the standardisation of working hours for academic and teaching staff requires improvement. The specific nature of the work of academic and teaching staff is determined by the fact that work is measured not only by time but also by the completion of a specific volume of work, as defined by an individual plan. Therefore, these parameters (time and volume of work) must be in an optimal balance.

It is noted that the diverse areas of activity of academic and teaching staff require significant time investment and a wide range of experience. In order to use working time efficiently while performing all types of work within the labour function (especially research and teaching-methodological activities), a high level of self-organization is required. The establishment of standards (performance criteria) should be accompanied by proper justification, calculations and forecasting, as well as an assessment of the legal and social consequences of their implementation.