Queens University Belfast (QUB) is projected to slash up to 270 roles at the institution.
Unions state they have “failed to supply “details for the cuts “required by law.”
The 5% cut in the workforce will see a knock to its almost 5,000 staff work force employed in academic, research and support roles.
According to the BBC, the Russell Group institution is facing an £11m shortfall in 2024/25 so far.
A university spokesperson said: “There will be no compulsory redundancies.”
“We are in the early stages of developing a proposed voluntary severance scheme and are awaiting a response from the trade unions to our invite to discuss,”
“Due to legal considerations, we are unable to disclose further details at this time,” they said.
University and College Union (UCU) and Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance (NIPSA) have expressed concerns about QUB’s handling of the situation.
The unions claim QUB has not consulted with them on the redundancy plans nor provided a suffice reason for the job cuts.
Northern Irish spokesperson for the UCU, Katherine Clarke, said the union “has failed been supplied with the information required by law to engage in statutory consultation.”
“When an employer proposes to make 20 or more workers redundant, legislation compels the employer to provide both the number and descriptions of the workers it proposes to dismiss.”
“The employer must demonstrate posts are no longer required or that there is a reduced need for a particular kind of work,” Ms Clarke continued.
“Queen’s have failed to supply this information.”
Ulster University was forced to pay over £1m in 2017 to some 143 former staff members after they failed to consult the UCU over redundancies.
Bernard Trainor from NIPSA said that the union was “deeply concerned” about QUB’s imposition of their voluntary severance scheme.
He said the union called for “full and meaningful consultation” from the University before the redundancy scheme is implemented.
“Despite a review of the university’s public accounts, there is no clear evidence to support the need for such a measure at this time, raising serious questions about its rationale,” he explained.
“A reduction in the workforce of up to 270 staff will inevitably lead to increased workloads for those left behind, putting undue pressure on staff and potentially compromising the quality of education and services delivered by the university.”