Members of Regent House may have received notice that a Grace is now open for signatures. The Grace is being proposed by Ronald Haynes. It is here.
The Grace has been prompted by recent concerns about activities carried out under the University’s Human Resources policies, particularly those concerning Organisational Change, Dignity at Work and Grievance. The intent is that improvements should be identified to ensure that all future operations accord with University policies, the law (including the employer’s duty of care) and natural justice, and that evaluations are evidence-based.
The Grace asks for an external audit of the Human Resources (HR) division.
It is in the interests of all parties — academics, professional service staff, students, members of HR and the institution alike — that HR processes operate effectively, fairly and with credibility. Clear, trusted procedures not only ensure that concerns are addressed appropriately, but also help to maintain confidence in institutional governance and uphold a healthy working environment.
The 21 Group has acted on behalf of members of Human Resources who have suffered unfair treatment. We have also acted on behalf of established academics and young scholars. We are of the opinion that there is scope for improvement in the operation of the University’s HR processes for the benefit of all. This includes recognising the challenges faced by our HR colleagues, who are often required to navigate difficult and sensitive matters.
If a member of Regent House, we ask you to please consider signing the Grace.
For avoidance of doubt, the Grace does not cover whistleblowing (the subject of the recent Bury St Edmunds Tribunal). Whistleblowing falls under the aegis of the Academic Secretary, the Registrary and the Vice Chancellor. It does not fall under the Human Resources division.
(Image is public domain screenshot of Grace Kelly in ‘To Catch a Thief’ 1955)
18 Comments
21percent.org · 2 July 2026 at 17:01
Hat-tip to the poster on the last thread who suggested the Princess
Hitch’s nickname for her was “Princess Disgrace’
TheResearcher · 2 July 2026 at 17:10
BOOOOOOM! It is about time.
Now folks know why senior HR went on leave as I mentioned yesterday….
Xerxes · 2 July 2026 at 19:20
I’m also worried about the high turnover of staff in HR. Even when they do recruit, they seem to struggle to maintain staff for long. This suggests that the working environment of HR is not pleasant.
In fact, basically good people (like Justin G) seem to move on quickly, which is troubling.
There’s no doubt that the way the HR division is run is now affecting the core mission of the University.
TheResearcher · 2 July 2026 at 21:16
I can give you a list of HR people who do not seem under the “high turnover” dynamics you mentioned, but I will probably be redacted if I spell it out so I hold myself. This being said, I think people already know that when the 21 Group redacts my comments it is most likely about the most redacted person in the 21 Group! She is on leave now.
- · 3 July 2026 at 12:47
HR seem to have not only a very permissive working culture (2 or 3 days a week, long lunches, switch off at 3/4/5pm) but also a very generous leave policy. So many are on autoreply on leave until [random date here] or just indefinitely out of office, it makes you wonder if anyone is in charge any more.
TheResearcher · 3 July 2026 at 14:22
That is very true. I do not really understand why they seem to have more leave days than academics, unless, of course, it is to deliberately delay cases even further, or to have excuses to not answer your questions in time.
This is the kind of pattern you may get:
On a Friday at 4.55pm you receive an outcome letter saying that you have 15 days to appeal and submit new material (e.g., evidence) if you wish to do so.
You answer a few minutes later, ask some important questions for your appeal and receive an automatic message saying the person is on leave for the next 10 days.
You contact a colleague so that you receive the information necessary for your appeal and the colleague—if they are not on leave themselves—tell you that they are not responsible for the case and that you need to wait for the responsible.
On the day the case worker arrives to work you contact them again, explain that the information is important for your appeal namely regarding the evidence, that you have just a few days left, and the person does not answer on the day or the following day.
Two days before the deadline, the person contacts you and says that they were on leave and then had a backlog when they arrived. While they may reply to your original email from 13 days before then, their answers are vague, namely when the answers to the questions you asked can work against the University.
On the same day, you reply and ask for clarifications, namely regarding the evidence that you were allowed to submit so that you have things read on time. The case worker no longer replies.
By the deadline, you submit your appeal and explain that you could not submit everything because the answers to your questions were not provided in time.
When you do not receive an automatic message saying the person is on leave again, they can acknowledge reception of the material you sent and stress that you “chose” not to send the remaining material despite your original email had been addressed.
These tricks are disgusting, and I have seen them over and over and over and over and over. It is extremely draining to put up with it, and it can only be intentional.
Tronto · 3 July 2026 at 12:05
And the many in HR in Cambridge who royally mess up lives and then move on whistling happily. Nothing to see here.
Anonymous · 3 July 2026 at 12:23
I think the issue is likely that people come in to HR and quickly discover that they are not only being lied to but also expected to maintain the same deceit.
Also, what happened to JG in the end?
TheResearcher · 3 July 2026 at 13:31
“they are not only being lied to but also expected to maintain the same deceit”
Who is lying to HR and who is asking them to keep lying? No one has to lie if they do not want to, namely when they experience first-hand the impact their lies has on others. It is impossible that members of HR who have been in UCam for long enough do not know the current culture of cover up. These elders do know and they actively contribute to it.
For those who did not notice, there are many people in HR and OSCCA who not only lie, but they enjoy lying. You can see that on how they respond to your questions, how they evade difficult topics, how they massage information, how they do not even answer you if there is nothing that can say that can work in their favour. If you ask them enough questions, they will reveal their real character to you, or at least the character of those who are telling them to say what they do, and if they do not mind acting as pawns of others, that also reveals their character. I am now claiming that all HR staff of UCam are like that, but I am claiming that many in are like that, and unfortunately I had to interact with several of them.
TheResearcher · 3 July 2026 at 13:35
I meant above, I am *not* claiming that all HR staff of UCam are like that…
But to be fair, I have not interacted with any University HR or OSCCA at Cambridge that did not behave as I described above. Ask them questions, and they will tell you who they are.
SPARTACUS · 2 July 2026 at 19:57
This will be the end of the lady named after a bay on North America! Said lady is poisonous and must go!
BreakerMorant · 2 July 2026 at 20:28
Many more scandals to break. Next one in about 2 weeks. Worse than POLIS, worse than astro.
TheResearcher · 2 July 2026 at 21:14
Always giving us good news! You were missed BreakerMorant!
But do not forget to tell us about the outcome of Foa versus Cambridge University. I know many people who are looking forward to knowing about that one, including the legal division!
MUSKETEER · 2 July 2026 at 20:32
The worst scandal of all is the one at the School of Clinical Medicine involving the destruction of a world class programme and the promotion of those that generated the scandal with falsehoods! Just wait until that becomes public!
Jay · 2 July 2026 at 21:16
Yup, the CRUK-Cam scandal is a bad one, but there is another POLIS scandal that is even worse.
Any other name · 2 July 2026 at 21:55
It is never the worst as long as we can say “this is the worst”
Regents Parked · 2 July 2026 at 22:49
Finally the Regent House turns the ignition and the engine splutters into life. Better late than never. Time for the Princess to put her foot down and deliver plenty of signatures. Thanks to all involved and all who sign.
Public · 3 July 2026 at 14:00
Remember this from Consigliere University
https://21percent.org/?p=1239
“True Confessions of a University HR Administrator”