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Hourly Teaching FAQ

Resourcing, Recruitment & Set up

1) I would like to hire an hourly paid employee for Occasional / Part Time Module Teaching /  Lecturing work, is there a limit on the duration of contract that can be offered? 

These roles are “occasional” by nature and therefore should never be required on a long-term basis. Roles should be planned in advance and due consideration given as to what trimesters will  be required. Contracts will be issued by trimester but you can request a contract to cover all  trimesters for the academic year. If the roles are to be long term, or likely to be long term, please  engage with your Head of School / Unit, Finance Manager and HR Partner to explore alternative  options through the normal resourcing and staff planning processes. 

2) What is the lead time for which the hourly set up form should be completed to ensure that  the hourly paid staff member gets a contract in time to start in the required role? 

Employees need to receive a contract of employment in advance of their start date in order  to be set up on the relevant systems and payroll in UCD. It is preferred that the process commences as soon as is practically possible but no later than two weeks prior to the proposed date of commencement to allow the relevant checks to be completed and the contract to be  generated and issued. This will also ensure colleagues get paid in a timely manner through  payroll. 

3) Do I have to undertake a detailed recruitment process for the role? 

A very detailed recruitment process, given the occasional nature of these roles, is not usually  required. Local recruitment processes should be followed at all times to ensure transparency  and consistency across Schools and Colleges where appropriate. How these processes work in  each school should be documented. 

4) Is UCD able to apply for a work permit for this role? 

Unfortunately, hourly paid roles are short term/adhoc/occasional in nature which would not facilitate UCD to apply for a permit (General or Critical Skills) on behalf of the employee.

5) Can a Hosting Agreement (Scientific Researcher) permit be used for this role? 

A Hosting Agreement is specifically tied to a research position and cannot be extended to  cover a teaching appointment. UCD are also unable to apply for hosting agreements for short  term ad hoc or occasional hourly paid roles.

6) What steps need to be taken to onboard an Occasional / Part Time Module Teacher /  Lecturer?

Once the local recruitment practices are complete the School / Unit will direct the employee  to complete an hourly set-up form. The following details will need to be supplied to the employee before this process can begin - The form type to be chosen and description of work, School/ Unit name and School/ Unit contact name.

The form will  be submitted to the School/ Unit contact and then the Authoriser for review. On submission  to HR Ops, the contract will be generated once approved by HR and the employee will receive  an email to let them know the contract is ready for review. Once the contract has been  accepted by the Employee, it will be submitted to HR Operations for processing. An email will  be sent to the Employee once the form has been processed and they have been set up on  Core HR. This email will provide details of their Personnel number, Approvers 1 & 2 for  timesheets and further details to set up their UCD Connect account and how to claim  payments. 

7) Who should commence the hiring process if an Occasional Teacher / Lecturer works in one  school but also inputs on a programme in another school?

If an Occasional / Part Time Module Teacher / Lecturer is carrying out a similar role in two  different schools a separate form should be submitted and another contract will be issued to  cover that activity. It is important that the total employee commitment across all contracts does not exceed 1 FTE.

Contracts & Role Management

1) If the individual has already received a contract and is being requested to do work in another  school / unit do we need to complete another hiring form?

If an Occasional / Part Time Module Teacher / Lecturer is carrying out a similar role in two  different schools a new form should be submitted and another contract issued to cover that  activity. . It is important that the total employee commitment across all contracts does not  exceed 1 FTE. 

2) Who decides what title and rate of pay applies for contract purposes? 

The job title and rate of pay that applies to each hire will be determined and approved by the  relevant school / college. Rates of pay can be accessed on our website (insert link). They will need  to put this in the online form which will be processed by HR and determine the contract details.  The rate must match the role that is on the online form. Further details on the type of roles can  be found at (insert link)  

3) Is there a limit on the number of roles an hourly paid employee can have in the University? 

There is no limit on the number of hourly paid roles an employee can have in the University  once the total hours per week do not exceed a Full Time Equivalent (FTE) of 1 in line with the  One Person One Salary principle.  

4) What is the One Person One Salary Principle? 

The One Person One Salary Principle also known as OPOS prohibits a public servant from  receiving remuneration which exceeds 1 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) i.e. an individual can only  receive the equivalent to a maximum of one public service salary at a time but can hold multiple  public sector posts. 

5) What is the maximum period a school can issue an hourly paid Occasional Teacher  contract for? (and can continue for how many years) 

The maximum period of a contract is 12 months - issued either by Trimester or by  Academic Year. Contract renewal is possible but by the nature of these roles the work is deemed  occasional and ad-hoc and therefore should not be rolling indefinitely. Where there is an ongoing  need for the role, the School / Unit are asked to liaise with their HR Partner / Finance Manager  with regard to further advice. 

6) Is a break or gap required between Occasional / Part Time Module Teaching / Lecturing  Contracts? 

No, there is no gap by default required but there will more likely be one given that the roles  are not regular by nature. These roles are very distinct roles in the University that are required  on an ad hoc / occasional basis. Any long-term requirements should be discussed as part of  regular staff planning processes. 

7) Will the hourly paid Employee be notified when the Occasional Teaching / Lecturing role is  close to ending?

The employee will receive an email reminding them that their role is ending. This will be sent 4 weeks prior to the end date of the role. If the role is for less than 4 weeks, no end date notification will be sent. 

All claims must be submitted prior to ending and no later than 4 weeks post contractual end  date. 

8) Can Occasional Teaching / Lecturing roles be engaged in other activities within UCD?

Yes Occasional Teachers / Lecturers and Part Time Module Teachers / Lecturers can be  engaged in other activity within UCD but need to be aware of the 1 FTE limit under the One  Person One Salary principle and that multiple contracts will be issued as they are linked to each  individual role / activity undertaken. 

Renewals & Extensions

1) Can an hourly paid Occasional / Part Time Module contract be extended / renewed for  another year?

Yes extensions are possible and when requested will generate a new contract but any roles  where there is deemed to be a likely ongoing need should be discussed with your HR Partner and  Finance Manager with regard to further advice. 

2) How many times can I extend a role?

Extending a role should be in line with good practice staff planning guidelines. Further details  should be discussed with your HR Partner and Finance Manager. 

3) How do I manage roles that continue year on year?

Hourly roles should be in line with good practice staff planning guidelines so where there is  deemed to be a likely ongoing need it should be discussed with your HR Partner and Finance  Manager with regard to further advice

Payroll & Benefits Deadlines

1) How long after I undertake the work can I claim for payment?

Claims should be made on How long after I undertake the work can I claim for payment? e month in arrears. All claims for work conducted must be submitted  no later than the end of trimester in which the activity is undertaken or no later than 4 weeks  after the cessation of the contract of employment.  

2) How long do I have to make a claim for pay? 

Claims should be made 4 weeks in arrears. Claims should be made on a regular basis. All Claims for work conducted must be claimed no later than the end of trimester in which the activity is undertaken or no later than 4 weeks after the cessation of the contract of employment.  

3) Can I deviate from the rates listed on the UCD website?

No. The rates of pay have been approved by the University Management Team and no  other rates are permitted. 

4) Are hourly paid teaching roles entitled to paid sick leave?

Yes, sick leave entitlements for this cohort are governed by the provisions of the Sick Leave Act 2022, further details of which can be found on the HR website.

5) Are hourly paid teaching roles entitled to paid annual leave?

Yes, annual leave entitlements for this cohort are governed by the provisions of the Working  Time Act, 1997 - which entitles them to 8% of hours worked over the year subject to a maximum  of 4 weeks. 

6) Are hourly paid teaching roles entitled to pension? 

Occasional / Part Time Module Teaching / Lecturing staff can contribute to a Personal  Retirement Savings Account (PRSA). Irish Life is UCD’s chosen Standard PRSA provider.

Work restrictions & Access

1) Can Occasional Teaching / Lecturing roles be engaged in other activities within UCD?

Yes Occasional Teachers / Lecturers and Part Time Module Teachers / Lecturers can be  engaged in other activity within UCD but need to be aware of the 1 FTE limit under the One  Person One Salary principle and that multiple contracts will be issued as they are linked to the  role / activity undertaken. 

2) From what date will the form be available for hiring managers to complete to request a  contract for the new hire?

Online forms for these roles will be available from November 25th and we encourage hiring  managers to complete this at their earliest convenience given the Christmas period. 

3) I’ve been working in Trimester 1 and will continue into Trimester 2 this year. Can I request  a contract if I would like one? 

Online forms for these roles will be available from November 25th and although there is no  request for forms to be completed for those continuing from trimester 1 to 2 this year it is  available for anyone who would like to have a contract issued in this academic year. All staff  must have a contract by September 2026.

4) Is a break or gap required between Occasional / Part Time Module Teaching / Lecturing  Contracts? 

No, there is no gap by default required but there will more likely be one given that the roles  are not regular by nature. These roles are very distinct roles in the University that are required  on an ad hoc / occasional basis. Any long-term requirements should be raised with the  relevant HR Partner and Finance Manager. 

UCD Human Resources

Roebuck Offices, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
T: +353 1 716 4900 | E: hrhelpdesk@ucd.ie | Location Map(opens in a new window)