HR Excellence in Research

At the University of Lodz, we believe that science thrives where people have the space to act, think and be themselves. That's why, since 2017, we have proudly displayed the HR Excellence in Research logo – a prestigious distinction awarded by the European Commission to institutions that provide scientists with the best possible working and development conditions.

The HR Excellence in Research logo is not just a symbol of quality. It confirms that our university complies with the principles outlined in the European Charter for Researchers and the EU The Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers – documents that prioritise values such as transparency, equal opportunities, stability, and concern for the well-being of employees.

In practice, the awarded distinction:

• strengthens the University of Lodz's position in national and international grant competitions,
• promotes the university as a research-friendly place,
• sets ambitious goals for us in the area of human resources policy.

The European Commission has recognised, among other things, our efforts to:

• ensure transparent and fair recruitment,
• support young scientists in their career development,
• ensure employment stability,
• provide content-related and financial assistance in the implementation of research projects.

The process of applying for the HR Excellence in Research logo was an impulse for us to change – review internal regulations and directives for compliance with the Charter and Code. As a result, we have taken a number of actions that now form the foundation of our approach to employees:

• development of a HR strategy corresponding to the changing university reality and expectations of the employees,
• implementation of solutions supporting employment of the best candidates for work,
• creating attractive conditions that guarantee employment stability, inter alia via the social system, conditions created for young employees in terms of parenthood, as well as anti-mobbing and anti-discrimination activities,
• the use of effective and appropriately tailored mechanisms to motivate work and professional development,
• systematic monitoring of the effects of work and professional development,
• providing effective, professional administrative support for the development of science and didactics, particularly in the area of obtaining grants and funding research project,
• active recruitment of research, teaching and administrative staff with the highest competences and qualifications.

At the same time, we focus on tasks arising directly from the HR Excellence programme:

• implementation of the adopted HR policy solutions,
• preparation and implementation of measures to prevent all kinds of discrimination and mobbing inter alia by appointing the Equality Council and, consequently, the Rector's Representative for counteracting discrimination,
• Increasing mechanisms of competitiveness in competitions and clear recruitment criteria for candidates applying for employment at the University of Lodz, among others by:

1. clear criteria for assessing candidates,
2. publishing information on job offers in places that guarantee acquisition of the best candidates,
3. making the message and offer more accessible and attractive,
4. removal of barriers to employing foreign citizens,
5. ensuring friendly, objective contact with candidates – also after the recruitment process is completed,
6. creating conditions conducive to staff mobility,
7. strengthening international cooperation by actively recruiting Visiting Professors.

The path to receiving this distinction was demanding – we began it in 2015 with an official declaration of readiness to implement the principles of the Charter and Code. Over the following months, the working group analysed the university's internal regulations and consulted with employees. As a result, an HR Strategy and Action Plan were developed, based on survey results and the needs of the University of Lodz's academic community.esults from the surveys on the working conditions of scientists at the University of Lodz, the team elaborated the HR Strategy and Action Plan.

Today, the University of Lodz is one of only seven universities in Poland and 31 institutions nationwide that can use the HR Excellence in Research logo. This is not only a source of pride for us, but also a commitment to continuous improvement. Researchers deserve to have their work not only recognised but also supported – with attention, respect and a belief in the value of cooperative work.