Fractional Appointments

1. A "fractional appointment" is an arrangement by which an

appointee works for the University at a rate less than full-time, but
not less than half-time. It is different from a part-time appointment in
that, since the appointee works at least half-time, and often more, for
the University, he is expected to regard the University as his primary
employer.

2. Each appointment is assigned an appointment fraction. For

Teachers, this fraction is calculated by reference to the number of
half days which the appointee is expected to devote to his University
work, taking 5 days as a full-time load for a non-clinical appointee,
and 5½ days, together with such on-call duties as might be
prescribed by the Head of the Department concerned, as a full-time
load for clinical appointees. The appointment fraction is expressed
as a percentage, so that, for example, where the appointment
fraction is 50%, 60% or 80%, it results in the equivalent of 2½ days,
3 days or 4 days respectively for a non-clinical appointee, or slightly
more for a clinical appointee. This fraction governs both the amount
of the appointee’s duties and responsibilities, and the level of his
salary and other benefits, as compared to a full-time appointee.

3. The appointee is expected to undertake his duties at a regular

rate, e.g. where the appointment fraction is 60%, the Teacher is
expected to devote three days of each and every week, inclusive of
non-teaching periods, to his University duties. Occasional minor
rearrangements may be allowed at the discretion of the Head of the
Departments, but these will not be such as would result in, say, an
appointee grouping all of his University time at the start or end of a
teaching term, and all of his non-University time in the remainder of
that term.

4. The contract of employment for a fractional appointee will be

based on the relevant Terms of Service/Conditions of Service, but
these will be modified according to the provisions set out in the
Letter of Appointment and its attachment.

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5. The provision of housing benefits will be made at a fraction of
the full rate application to a full-time appointee, which is equivalent
to the appointment fraction.

6. To provide maximum flexibility, fractional appointments may be

offered as follows:

(a) as a new appointment on a fixed-term; or

(b) as a transfer arrangement from an existing substantive

appointment, whereby the appointee will be allowed to retain all
existing benefits calculated at the appropriate fraction. The only
exception is when the appointee is a member of the Staff
Terminal Benefits Scheme, he has, on such a transfer, to cease
membership and be offered instead the option of joining the
Staff Provident Fund or the Mandatory Provident Fund.

7. The transfer arrangement proposed in 6(b) above, and any

subsequent reversion to substantive appointment, may be made
only with mutual consent of the appointee and the Head of
Department.

Enquiries should be addressed to

the Assistant Registrar (Appointments)
e-mail: apptunit@hkucc.hku.hk