Unbelievable Privacy Breach: University Staff Details Exposed Amid Job Cuts

Privacy Breach at University of Southern Queensland

A significant privacy breach occurred at the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) when a technical glitch revealed the names of staff members who accessed the redundancy calculator. This incident coincided with the university's announcement of plans to cut 150 staff positions due to ongoing financial pressures.

Academics and professional staff began using the redundancy calculator after the university's announcement of a major restructure. Professor Andrea Lamont-Mills, an associate dean at UniSQ, reported that staff noticed the issue shortly after the tool went live, with 52 names visible to those who accessed it.

Lamont-Mills described the revelation of names as “mind-boggling”, emphasizing that while no personal information was disclosed, the scale of the error raised serious concerns. The university confirmed that the issue was addressed promptly after becoming aware of it.

Proposed Job Cuts and Financial Strain

The proposed cuts come after a previous reduction of 109 roles in late 2024, with nearly 20% of the workforce potentially affected if the plans proceed. UniSQ Vice-Chancellor Karen Nelson cited rising costs and a changing funding landscape as reasons for the restructuring. The university has been operating at a deficit for three consecutive years, with recent expenditures surpassing income by about 7%.

The union anticipates that most redundancies will impact professional staff, with some academic positions also at risk. The university plans to consolidate its organizational structure, combining 12 schools and 9 research centers into 8 schools to enhance efficiency.

Concerns Over Consultation Process

Despite the university's commitment to consult with staff, Lamont-Mills raised concerns that the feedback process felt predetermined, leaving employees anxious about the lack of information and time to respond meaningfully. The National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) has called for more genuine engagement with staff to avoid hastened redundancies, which could begin as early as July. Nelson reassured that no final decisions had been made yet, stressing the need for significant savings this year.

This situation highlights the critical intersection of job security, privacy, and institutional restructuring amidst challenging financial circumstances.