University of Hong Kong mulls move to performance-based pay for staff, prompting outrage from union chief
Union lashes at plan, saying it would encourage a culture that rewards ‘shoe shining’ to please bosses and could affect the quality of research
Hong Kong’s oldest university is proposing to change its salary system, which currently tracks the “iron rice bowl” pay scales of the civil service, and adopt a new one based entirely on individual performance.
The idea is highly controversial and is already facing opposition, with the head of an academic staff union at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) warning against encouraging a culture of sycophancy and “shoe shining”, and possibly even affecting the quality of research at the 107-year-old institution.
The university is considering a more “fit-for-purpose” pay system that would better “highlight the importance of continuous professional development” and “recognise outstanding performance more effectively”, according to a staff circular seen by the Post on Thursday.
Currently, most staff salary adjustments are calculated on point-based individual performance reviews as well as increases in the cost of living, which closely mirrors civil service pay scales. The new proposal will effectively make their entire pay package performance-based.
The university is one of eight funded by the University Grants Committee, the main public financing body for academic research in Hong Kong. Any increase higher than the civil service rate is borne by the university.