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Faculty Employment Agreements

What does university affiliation mean for a professor?

Affiliation signifies that a professor counts a specific university as their primary employer, allowing the university to count their research output toward its accreditation and rankings.

Can a professor work at two universities?

Yes, but they can usually only be "affiliated" with one. Working hours at other institutions must not conflict with primary duties and are often capped by contract.

How long are academic contracts in Georgia?

Contracts for elected positions (Professor, Associate Professor) usually align with the term of office, typically 3 to 6 years, as defined by the university's charter.

Do I own the copyright to my research?

Generally, moral rights remain with the author. However, economic rights to works created as part of employment duties often belong to the university unless the contract states otherwise.

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Academic Staff (Faculty) Employment Agreements

Employment of academic staff (professors, associate professors, assistant professors) in higher educational institutions differs significantly from standard labor relations. Academic freedom, elected positions, affiliation issues, and rights related to scientific research create a specific legal framework. Faculty employment agreements must regulate details such as lecture workload, research obligations, intellectual property rights on published works, and affiliation conditions, which are directly linked to university authorization. An incorrectly drafted contract poses risks to both the professor's career stability and the university's accreditation.

This service is designed for university HR departments to develop standard, legally compliant contracts, as well as for individual professors who wish to protect their interests when entering into or terminating an employment agreement.

What Does the Faculty Employment Agreements Service Cover?

Specialists on Legal.ge offer full legal support for academic labor relations:

  • Preparation of Affiliation Agreements: Drafting documents defining the academic staff's exclusive connection with the university, essential for assessing research potential and authorization.
  • Drafting Employment Contracts: Preparing fixed-term and open-ended contracts for academic, scientific, and visiting staff, considering the Labor Code and the Law on Higher Education.
  • Intellectual Property (IP) Regulation: Drafting clauses regulating copyright ownership of textbooks and research created using university resources.
  • Workload and Remuneration Schemes: Legal structuring of hourly and fixed pay, including for additional academic activities (conferences, syllabus development).
  • Prevention of Labor Disputes: Clearly defining conditions for contract termination, academic leave (sabbaticals), and disciplinary liability.

Common Real-World Scenarios and Needs

The following types of misunderstandings are common in the academic field:

  • Double Affiliation: A professor signed affiliation agreements with two different universities, leading to authorization flaws and a labor dispute.
  • Copyright Dispute: A professor created an online course for the university and then wanted to teach it elsewhere, which the university refused due to vague clauses in the contract.
  • Contract Termination: The university terminated an elected professor's contract early due to low student evaluations, which the professor appealed as an infringement on academic freedom.
  • Reduction of Hours: A visiting lecturer had their hours and pay reduced in the middle of the semester, which was not foreseen in the preliminary agreement.

Georgian Legal Framework

Labor relations of academic staff are regulated by the Organic Law of Georgia "Labor Code" and the Law of Georgia "On Higher Education". The latter defines the rules (competition) and terms for occupying academic positions (professor, associate, assistant). The issue of affiliation is regulated by the Authorization Charter of the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement. The Law on Copyright and Related Rights is also important regarding scientific works.

Service Process

The process includes:

  1. Needs Analysis: Considering the specifics of the university (research-oriented or teaching-oriented).
  2. Documentation Development: Preparing/updating individual contracts, internal regulations, and the code of ethics.
  3. Negotiation: Agreeing on terms between parties (especially with high-ranking professors).
  4. Audit: Checking existing contracts for compliance with authorization standards.

Why Choose a Specialist on Legal.ge?

Academic labor law is a niche specialization. Legal.ge allows you to find lawyers who understand the inner workings of universities and accreditation requirements. A well-drafted academic contract is a guarantee of university stability and quality.

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