Exceptional staff performance recognised through Discretionary Pay Review
Posted on behalf of: Reward and benefits team
Last updated: Tuesday, 31 October 2023

The University’s Discretionary Pay Review (DPR) process is now open as of 9 October 2023.
The DPR is the University’s way of recognising and rewarding exceptional performance, either through an increase in salary or a one-off bonus payment.
The scheme is a way to recognise staff who go the extra mile in their work and contribute towards the long-terms goals of the University. It is designed to encourage and reward exceptional performance results, values and behaviours which help to drive the University’s mission, and Strategic goals as stated within the University’s Strategic Framework, Sussex 2025.
Who is eligible?
The DPR is open to all Grade 1-9 staff, and Professors, employed by the University (who have been in post for more than six months as of 1 Oct 2023).
The scheme does not apply to Non-Professorial Grade 10 staff.
When is it happening?
The process opens on 9 October. Each School/Division will hold its own moderation session before submitting their nominations to the Rewards Team so please speak to your line manager about the submission deadlines in your area.
Successful staff will receive the reward in their February 2024 pay, with salary increases backdated to 1 October 2023.
Changes to this year
The University is keen to acknowledge additional work by Professional Services teams to support our students and other impacted activities as a result of the Marking and Assessment Boycott. In recognition of this, the University has introduced an additional Team Bonus Discretionary Pay Review category for this year in order to recognise the work of staff during this period.
Further details of this category will be available in the guidance documents.
For further information
Information about the reward process is available on the HR pages.
If you have any further questions about the DPR process please email reward@sussex.ac.uk.