Staff Salary/Wage Increase Restrictions
Questions & Answers
- How long are restrictions on salary increases for professional staff in place?
- Through June 30, 2013.
- When may pay increases be approved for professional staff?
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- HR may approve a salary increase through the professional staff review process when a position has assumed additional or higher level duties sufficient to warrant an increase in the position’s salary grade;
- HR may approve a Temporary Pay Increase (TPI) or Administrative Supplement (ADS) when a position is temporarily assigned duties that are clearly in addition to and/or higher level than those that are normally assigned to the position.
In addition, with the approval of the appropriate chancellor, dean, vice president, or vice provost, the HR Compensation Office may approve a salary increase for critical employee retention reasons.
- What reporting requirements does the University have for critical retention salary increases?
- The University must report all critical retention increases for fiscal years 2011-12 and 2012-13 to the Legislature by July 31, 2012, and July 31, 2013, respectively. The report must include the position, the amount of the increase, and the reason for the increase. UWHR is responsible for working with Planning and Budgeting to prepare and submit the report. No departmental action is required.
- Can professional staff receive a salary increase when hired into a new position?
- Yes.
- Can professional staff receive an increase through the position review process when placed into a higher grade based on increased duties or a higher level of functioning?
- Yes.
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- If a professional staff employee's job responsibilities have expanded, but a position review does not result in the assignment of the position to a higher salary grade, can the employee receive a pay increase?
Can a professional staff employee receive an in-grade salary adjustment based on factors such as an increased level of functioning?
- Under the current pay restrictions, the answer to both questions is "no" if those are the only reasons for a proposed increase. However, professional staff may receive retention-based in-grade salary adjustments for a position where significant retention issues exist. Increases must be paid out of existing funds and cannot negatively impact client services. See the instructions for the critical retention-based salary increase process.
- Can a professional staff employee who is temporarily assigned additional or higher level duties receive a Temporary Pay Increase (TPI) or Administrative Supplement (ADS)?
- Yes. The HR Compensation Office may approve a Temporary Pay Increase or Administrative Supplement when an employee is temporarily assigned new duties (generally the assignment is for nine months or less), and the duties are clearly outside the scope of the employee’s normal job responsibilities. In addition, temporary pay increases must be made within available funds and cannot negatively impact client services.
- Can a professional staff temporary pay increase currently in effect be extended?
- Units may request extensions of currently approved temporary salary increases. The HR Compensation Office will review the request and determine whether approval is appropriate or whether another action may be more appropriate, such as a full position review or a critical retention increase request.
- Are excess compensation (E/C) payments permitted?
- Yes, as long as they are paid within existing funds and do not negatively impact client services. Departments must follow the review and approval procedures established by their dean, chancellor, vice president, or vice provost. Excess compensation cannot be approved for any activity performed prior to February 19, 2010.
- Can temporary employees or student helpers receive a pay increase before June 30, 2013?
- Yes, only if the employee is assigned additional or higher level duties or if the employee is assigned to a new position with different or expanded job responsibilities. Pay increases to recognize improved functioning or good performance are not allowed.
- Can HR process professional staff job title changes?
- Yes, so long as there is no accompanying salary increase.
- May data entry errors be corrected if they result in a higher salary (e.g., transposed salary digits during entry into OPUS)?
- Yes. If there is any question concerning correction of a data entry error for a professional staff employee, please contact the HR Compensation Office.
- Can a department increase the FTE percentage of a position provided there is no increase in the full-time monthly salary rate?
- Yes.
- Are classified employees impacted by the salary restrictions currently in place?
- The law does not impose restrictions on salary actions affecting contract classified or classified non-union employees.
Salary Increase Restriction Topics
