Administrative hub
Information and resources to help with administrative tasks across the University.
10 November 2023 update
Our is delivering new ways of working. Information and templates regarding academic probation and visitors (general and academic) will soon be added.
Related links
- - from the first set of process improvements.
- Making change happen - a suite of resources to help leaders and managers enable successful change at York.
- A-Z listing of all departments, offices and sections
HR processes
Guidance and resources to help you with all stages of the recruitment cycle and other HR processes. A full list of all processes and relevant contacts can be found on the HR pages.
For monthly HR news and updates, you can .
When and how can I appoint staff?
Depending on the circumstances, there are types of appointments available at the University (eg direct, internal and standard). Check out our guidance for appointing staff for further information on contracts and appointments.
Open, fixed-term and casual - or a contract for services?
Use our engagement wizard to see which type of engagement you should be using.
Finding and engaging casual workers
Departments are able to build their own pools of workers within Dashboard to allow for adverts to be shared and workers to be booked easily. See our guidance for more information about engaging and registering casual workers, rates of pay, and relevant forms.
Guidance for using casual workers
You can also use our to send information to a relevant casual worker pool.
If you're looking for more information about using casual workers, you can request access to our report.
Providing administrative support to others
All staff are encouraged to book their own casual worker requirement where they can via Dashboard. If you are asked to provide administrative support to book a casual worker on Dashboard, ensure the following information is provided as a minimum:
- Supervisor/line manager name
- Name and email address of casual worker if you already know it
- Start date and end date of the casual work
- Timings and days of the week for the work if you know them
- The funding code (including the eight digit and four digit account number)
Guidance for casual workers
Casual workers are able to update their profiles at any time to allow them to be identified via profile data. If a casual worker has a problem with , they should email casual-workers@york.ac.uk.
Profiles within Dashboard are deactivated after six months of inactivity in order to comply with right to work checks.
A is available to assist you. The Visiting the University page provides further useful information.
Visitors are required to book their own travel and accommodation when visiting the University. If they wish to claim expenses back from the University, they should follow the staff Travel and Expenses policy.
In the event of a Health and Safety concern whilst on site, visitors should consult the Campus Safety web page.
When welcoming new starters, you should follow our central guidance for orientation and induction. It contains information for:
- Managers
- New staff members
- New member of disabled staff
- Researchers
Guidance for orientation and induction
You should also signpost to the (York Wiki Service) and the (Learning Management System). Both of these provide a general introduction to the University and should be used first and foremost by all departments. Specific inductions to departments and job roles should be an addition to this.
New starters may also benefit from the following information and advice:
See our Probation procedure for academic, research and teaching, and professional and support staff
Monitoring academic probation
See our updated procedure on Academic probation - New starters. The main changes to the new, simplified academic probation process are:
- Support offered from the Faculty Administration Team, including receiving probation plans and CVs (for the Dean’s approval) and sending formal confirmation letter
- Sign off points moved from DVC to Dean, and Dean to HoD
- Updated folder structure and ownership
- New
- New - best practice and minimum standard required. Can make a copy and adopt the new tracker, or update existing tracker to include these as standard.
Please note that the above template links will prompt you to make your own copy.
Full details of the improvements and changes can be found in our and the new .
If you are responsible for monitoring and changing contracts, you can find guidance on the following on the HR pages:
- Processing contract changes - includes form for contract extensions or a change to an open contract, or changes to hours, staff group or workorder
- Monitoring fixed-term contracts - information on reviewing and extending fixed term contracts, and the process for consulting with staff who approaching the end of their contract
Management Information reports
We're hoping to significantly reduce the amount of data held in localised spreadsheets and databases. There is a suite of management information reports available and accessible via a Tableau login. These are updated frequently to reduce the need to hold any duplication of this data and personal information.
Need help completing contract variation forms (CVFs)?
Additional guidance has been written to help administrators when completing CVFs and covers:
- How to receive updates on submitted CVFs
- Highlighting numerous changes on one CVF
- Formatting information in a CVF
Final improvements for this process are currently being finalised, and will be added in early December. In the meantime, see the updated information below.
- Actioning leavers and offboarding - how to notify HR of a leaver
Completing the HR Leaver Notification Form
Please complete the HR Leaver notification form as soon as written resignation is received to reduce the risk of overpayment. A minimum of two weeks is required to process leavers, however please note that it can take three months to ensure that our pension providers are able to process retirement benefits.
Only complete one form per leaver and provide all the information that is required. You can review the form before submitting and check what information is needed. A leaver form is required for any member of staff leaving the University, apart from Graduate Teaching Assistants.
Colleagues are expected to take all outstanding leave within their notice period. When calculating outstanding leave, please account for all bank holidays and the Christmas closure period. In the event that it is not possible for leave to be taken within the notice period, any forms submitted with more than three weeks (112.5 hours) outstanding leave will be sent back to be reviewed and checked.
Management Information reports
We are hoping to significantly reduce the amount of data held in localised spreadsheets and databases. There is a suite of management information reports available and accessible via a Tableau log-in. These are updated frequently to reduce the need to hold any duplication of this data and personal information.
Returning IT Kit
IT Kit needs to be returned by leavers to the University as it will require resetting before it can be used by another staff member. If the role remains and a new starter is taking up the role shortly, the kit can remain within the department/team and be reset remotely. When staff leave and are not replaced, their IT equipment should be returned to IT Services for reuse.
Find about the End to End Service, including change of user for managed devices.
There is significant data and reputational risk for non-returned IT kit. The leaver's Line Manager should liaise with them to ensure all kit is returned before their last day, including laptop/s, monitors and any research-funded IT equipment. Peripheral devices such as keyboards, mice and headsets do not need to be returned. Funds for any kit not returned will be recovered from the leaver’s department, as with damage (both accidental or due to misuse).
Finance
Navigate purchase and expense requests with ease using our guidance on York e-Purchase (YEP), Agresso and purchase cards.
Keep up to date with monthly finance news bulletins by subscribing to the (select ‘ask to join group’ to subscribe).
Improvements to this process are planned for 2024. In the meantime, please continue to follow the current process on processing and claiming expenses.
The regulations that detail what you are allowed to claim as an expense are set out in the University Travel and Expenses Policy. It is important you read this policy in full before incurring any expenditures.
In most teams and departments, administrators generally make purchases on behalf of colleagues.
Individuals who have very high volumes of purchasing requests (ie a person who purchases things many times at short intervals) are classed as . Going forward, frequent purchasers are encouraged to complete purchases themselves (either through a University purchase card or York e-Purchase/Agresso).
Purchasing methods
There are a number of available ways to purchase goods and services, the main methods are York e-Purchase (YEP)/Agresso and purchase cards.
York e-Purchase (YEP)
YEP is based in the finance system Agresso.
- Read the YEP basics guide for a quick overview of the system and help available.
How to find existing suppliers on YEP
With over 30,000 suppliers on YEP and 1,000 new ones being created each year, the Procurement team are now actively managing the volume of requests coming through. This has been created to help you find a supplier that already exists on YEP. If you cannot find an existing supplier of the goods/services you need, please contact the Procurement team. Don't assume a new supplier request will automatically be approved and remember, no one should issue instructions to a supplier without a purchase order.
University purchase cards
Purchase cards can be used in limited circumstances to buy goods and services. University purchase cards should not be used for items which can be purchased using a purchase order via YEP or where there is a preferred supplier.
- Read the
- See our
Other useful links
If your role involves any financial element, such as those listed below, the Finance department has a dedicated page of all essential and recommended training.
- Using a University Purchase card
- Taking debit and credit card payments from students and customers
- Hiring, booking and paying casual workers
- Using Agresso including York e-Purchase (YEP)
Accessing services and support
Information, contacts and resources to help you with everything from day-to-day activities to large scale events.
Before booking any catering, you must seek approval from the budget holder for the spend against the workorder. Some research funders may not allow funds to be spent on internal catering (eg Campus Kitchen) and other quotes may be required.
As per the Food Safety Policy, only preferred suppliers can be used to provide catering. Campus Kitchen is the University's in-house caterer. They can cater for all your event needs, from simple work lunches to high-profile dinners.
Refreshments and working lunches
As stated in section 7.6 of the Travel and Expenses Policy, light refreshments (tea, coffee and water) may be provided via Campus Kitchen at department meetings lasting two or more hours, and at meetings with external visitors that are held on campus.
Alcohol
If your booking includes alcohol, please observe section 11 of the Campus Kitchen’s terms and conditions to ensure you’re complying with the University’s liquor licence. The self-supply of alcohol in licensed areas is strictly prohibited.
Booking with Campus Kitchen
Catering can be booked with a notice period of three days. To view menu options, place an order or to get in touch with the catering team, visit Campus Kitchen.
Our IT and online services page includes IT support and troubleshooting, as well as links and information on frequently used services and systems.
Got IT or electrical equipment you no longer need?
The University Mailroom is available to all staff and students and can be used to post letters and parcels. Mailroom services include:
- Internal mail - allows you to send internal mail to anywhere on Campus West, Campus East or King's Manor
- External mail - allows you to send external mail on behalf of your department
- Ordering departmental stamps with YEP
- Bulk mailing - suitable if you’re sending more than 50 identical items
- Business reply service - suitable if you require the recipient of your mail to return information to your department (postal charges can be picked up by your department rather than the recipient)
The Mailroom also provides a ‘Pack It and Post’ service which is available at locations across the University.
If you are managing University information and data, here are some key guidelines and contacts:
- Management Information reports - we're hoping to significantly reduce the amount of data held in localised spreadsheets and databases. There is a suite of management information reports available and accessible via a Tableau log-in. These are updated frequently to reduce the need to hold any duplication of this data and personal information.
- Copyright - view the University's copyright licences, read the practical guide to copyright, and find relevant contacts for further information
- Data protection - guidance for University staff, students, associates, and anyone else who may access, use or manage University information
- Records management - guidance for staff on retention schedules, policies, records audit, GDPR documentation as well as relevant training
- University Archive - holds the archives of the University and its predecessor bodies, the York Academic Trust and York University Promotion Committee and former centres such as the York University Design Unit
Disposal of confidential waste
You can dispose of confidential waste via the facilities management portal. All waste must be packed according the guidelines.
- Book a room and other on-campus spaces
- Report repairs and maintenance
- Dispose of confidential waste, goods/furniture and IT/electrical equipment
- Help with office, goods and furniture moves
The Audio Visual (AV) Centre provides equipment and technical staff to support teaching and conferences across the University. With the AV Centre, you can:
- Make a booking for AV services and equipment
- Find information on AV facilities in specific rooms on campus
- Hire AV equipment
AV also provides services to make equipment and spaces accessible to all who need to use them.
Our transport, maps and parking page covers public transport links, staff, student and visitor parking, accessible travel and more.
Booking business travel
All University staff members are encouraged to book their own travel using the University’s contracted travel management companies (TMCs), unless the travel is deemed complex. We encourage this self-serve approach as it reduces duplication of work and is a quicker process for straightforward travel.
An has been produced to help you distribute this message in your department. To use the template, click ‘Preview in Gmail’ (the Gmail icon) at the top left of the email draft. This will create a customisable email in the account which you are logged in to.
Supporting complex travel requests
Colleagues who require support with a complex business travel booking should complete the support for and return a copy to their local administrator.
- For more information about the travel and expenses policy, travel insurance, accommodation and more, visit our main business travel page.
Expecting visitors?
Visitors are required to book their own travel and accommodation when visiting the University. If they are claiming the expenses back from the University, they should follow the Travel and Expenses Policy that staff adhere to at the University.
To help you and colleagues prepare for general visitors, we've gathered together examples of different , and a . The Visiting the University page provides further useful information.
Visitors are required to book their own travel and accommodation when visiting the University. If they wish to claim the expenses back from the University, they should follow the Travel and Expenses policy that staff adhere to at the University.
Once a visit is confirmed, use this template to share visit details with the visitor. This link will prompt you to make a copy, and will auto generate a customisable email on your behalf. To do this:
- Click the
- Edit the information highlighted in yellow
- Click on M to 'preview in Google' in the top left-hand side of the document
- An email will be created in a new window, linked to your GMail
- If you have delegated inboxes, you can select here which you would like to send it from
In the event of a Health and Safety concern whilst on site, visitors should consult the Campus Safety web page.
Visitors can purchase 四虎影院 via our website.
Join the community
Want to keep up to date with improvements and connect with fellow administrators?
Join our Slack channel for the latest information, best practice guidance and help with new and improved processes. This channel is for all staff who carry out administrative processes across the University.

Branding and communications
Information, resources and contacts to help you produce on-brand communications for a variety formats and audiences.
Additional information and services
- University photography services - the University photographer can photograph events (eg graduation and conferences), staff portraits, objects and publicity shots as well as images for teaching, dissertations, essays, and individual research
- Copyright guidance - view the University's copyright licences, read the practical guide to copyright, and find relevant contacts
Give feedback
Did this page help you? Is there information you feel should be added? Let us know so we can continue to improve this page for all users.
Related links
- - from the first set of process improvements.
- Making change happen - a suite of resources to help leaders and managers enable successful change at York.
- A-Z listing of all departments, offices and sections