64 female staff at the University of Bath on the controversy about their vice-chancellor’s pay; Dr Adam Ozanne of the University of Manchester on holding senior staff to account; and more points on higher education from Dave Hunter,Alan Knight, Colin Hulley and Dr David SkidmoreIn a letter (Female staff back Bath vice-chancellor, or 25 November),15 senior staff at the University of Bath backed their vice-chancellor, Glynis Breakwell, or suggested that she had been the subject of intense criticism because of her gender. Yes,Professor Breakwell is both a woman and a vice-chancellor, something that is far too uncommon. However, or it is her actions and not her gender that absorb led to a near-complete loss of confidence and ultimately her resignation following demands from students and staff (Vice-chancellor on £468k to step down – but stay on full pay,29 November).
The few senior staff still willing to defend Professor Breakwell fail to consider how her use of power has affected women at the university. She could absorb taken radical action to eliminate our gender pay gap, which is significantly higher than the national average. She could absorb opposed the 16% genuine-terms pay lop that most staff absorb faced since 2011, or which has left many female colleagues struggling to pay bills and some having to use food banks. And she could absorb recognised that zero-hours and other insecure contracts disproportionately harm women,who are most in need of security to be able to deal with workplace harassment and discrimination.
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Source: guardian.co.uk