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Supervisor Handbook
University Pay Policies and Procedures
Payroll Changes
University Pay Guidelines and Approval Process
Defining Hours Worked
Overtime
Miscellaneous Pay Practices
Time Cards
Paychecks
Change in Family Status
Termination and Retirement
COBRA
Job Description Review Process
University Pay Policies and ProceduresFair Labor Standards ActPurdue University is subject to the provisions and regulations of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA) as it applies to the federal minimum wage, hours of work, overtime pay, equal pay for equal work, record keeping and child labor standards. The pay guidelines and practices for clerical and service staff are summarized in the following pages. Consistent application of these guidelines and practices are essential to ensure that pay practices are fair and equitable. Purdue University/Department PolicyThe policies and procedures in this document provide department heads, directors and persons responsible for payroll with the underlying concepts of wage administration for clerical and service staff at Purdue University. Relevant Housing and Food Services practices are included for your convenience. Although basic information is provided, there may be unanswered questions and special problems that can only be dealt with on an individual basis. The Housing and Food Service business office and human resource staff are available to assist you. The primary responsibility for administering pay policy and applying pay guidelines rests with employing departments' supervisors, managers and department heads. The Compensation and Classification area of Human Resource Services is responsible for developing and monitoring the use of pay scales, pay policies and pay practices. Relevant Pay Policies
Payroll Changes and Processing of New EmployeesBiweeklyBi-weekly payroll change forms should be processed for the following:
Payroll change forms should be processed for all employees, including temporaries, but not students. Student payroll transactions are submitted on the "Housing and Food Services Student Employment/ Termination Report" obtained from your departmental contact. MonthlyA monthly payroll change Form 10 and Information Form 13 must be processed for the same reasons as listed above as well as for job title changes. Even though counselors and resident assistants are students, payroll change forms must be processed for these 90A positions. Contact the HFS Business Office with payroll questions related to administrative and professional positions. New EmployeesCall your departmental contact with the new employee's name, Social Security number, date of birth and salary. A payroll change form will be completed and sent to your department head/director for signatures. Your department contact will set up an appointment for the new employee to select benefits, fill out all necessary forms, etc. University Pay Guidelines and Approval ProcessPay ScalesClerical and service pay scales are designed to recognize the following factors:
There are five clerical pay levels and nine service pay levels. There are more service levels because service jobs encompass a greater diversity of skill, effort, responsibility and working conditions. The University revises pay scales annually or as funds permit. Changes are usually effective at the beginning of the first pay period of each fiscal year. The proposed pay scales, pending approval by the Board of Trustees, are distributed at budget time to the individuals who determine employee wages. Housing and Food Services develops its own pay scales each year which fall within the relevant University pay scale guidelines. Pay ExceptionsApproval of pay rates for clerical and service staff appointments or changes is delegated to the director of Human Resource Services by the vice president for business services and assistant treasurer. When a rate is not within the appropriate pay bracket or if a pay rate is clearly inequitable, even though it may be within the pay bracket, approval may be withheld. Written requests for exceptions to these policies should be submitted through the unit reporting chain and forwarded to the HFS Human Resource Office prior to final action. If an exception is approved, a written response will be provided to the requesting department. Minimum WageEffective September 1, 1997, the minimum wage increased to $5.15 per hour. Pay Rates for Temporary EmployeesEmploying departments should pay temporary employees at a rate within the temporary staff pay range of the approved pay level. The Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1990 has extended Social Security coverage to all employees who work fewer than 1,000 hours per year and who are not covered by a University retirement system effective July 1, 1991. Social Security taxes will be paid by both Purdue and the employee. Departments should contact the HFS-Human Resource Office for temporary classification code assignments. Pay Rates for Student EmployeesEmploying departments determine the appropriate classification of student positions by using the Student Wage and Classification System . The pay rate is then determined by referring to the pay range of the proper pay level. Regular clerical and service classification codes may be used for positions staffed by student employees who work an assigned regular schedule of at least 20 hours per week . The pay for these employees is determined by the temporary pay range from the regular clerical and service staff pay scales. Any appropriate shift differential would also apply. Departments should contact the HFS-Human Resource Office for non-student classification code assignments. Pay Upon Regular EmploymentThe employee hiring rate will normally be the minimum pay rate of the appropriate pay level to which the position is assigned. The hiring rates cannot exceed the current rate paid to a non-provisional employee with the same job title and pay level, who has been employed within the department at least one year and whose work is rated as satisfactory. Exceptions to this policy must be requested in writing, with the concurrence of the department head, and approved by the human resource service team prior to an offer of employment being made. The primary reasons for exceptions will be either:
Advanced Hiring RateEconomic or employment conditions which make it difficult or impossible to recruit for a particular job title at the minimum rate of pay for the assigned pay level may result in an advanced hiring rate being authorized by the HFS-Human Resource Office. In such an instance, all employees in the same job title and pay level within the division whose rate and pay is less than the advanced hiring rates will be increased to at least the advanced hiring rate. Provisional Period of EmploymentAll new hires and rehires employed in regular clerical and service positions (there are special provisions for police officers and fire fighters) serve a 90-calendar-day period of provisional employment. However, if an individual is rehired into the same department where originally employed, the department head may exempt the individual from an additional period of provisional employment. New hires and rehires are expected to complete a full period of provisional employment before requesting a move to another position within the University. Should an individual transfer to another regular clerical/service position prior to completion of the provisional period, a subsequent 90-calendar-day period of provisional employment must be completed, beginning the first day of work in the new position. When a University-wide pay scale adjustment occurs during an employee's period of provisional employment, the provisional employee's wage rate, if less than the new minimum of the pay range for their pay level, will be increased to bring the employee up to, but not exceed, the new minimum. Pay Following Provisional PeriodAlthough University policy provides for merit pay increases upon completion of the 90-day provisional period, Housing and Food Services has chosen to pay the value of the position upon employment. Therefore, merit increases are not granted after 90 days. Pay Upon Change of Position or TransferAn employee who changes positions within a unit or transfers to a position in a different department in the same staff and pay level will receive no increase in pay for at least 90 days. Similarly it is recommended that employee pay not be reduced as a result of a lateral transfer. An employee who changes positions from the clerical staff to the service staff or from the service staff to the clerical staff will be paid at or between the minimum and maximum of the appropriate pay range of the new pay scale and level. The pay of an employee whose transfer or change of position involves a change in pay levels will be at or between the minimum and maximum of the appropriate pay range of the new pay level. Pay Upon ReclassificationIf a position is reviewed and reclassified to a higher pay level , the employee is placed in a new pay range. If the present pay rate falls below the minimum for the new pay level, a pay raise must be given to bring the pay rate to at least the minimum of the new range. If a position is reviewed and reclassified laterally , the job title and classification code changes while the pay level remains the same; as a result, the employee's pay will not change. If a position is reviewed and reclassified to a lower pay level, it is recommended that the incumbent's pay not be reduced . However, if the pay rate is greater than the maximum of the new range, pay may not be increased until the maximum of the pay range exceeds the employee's rate of pay. An employee whose position is reclassified from the clerical staff to the service staff or from the service staff to the clerical staff will be paid at or between the minimum and maximum of the appropriate pay range of the new pay scale. Pay Upon Return From Leave Without PayAn employee who returns to the same position or pay level in the same job title at the end of an approved leave without pay will be paid at a rate no less than what he or she was last paid. An employee who returns to a higher pay level will be paid at or between the minimum and maximum of the appropriate pay range of the new level. An employee who returns to a lower pay level may be paid at the rate he or she was last paid with prior approval from the human resource service team. Pay Upon Return From LayoffWhen an employee resumes his or her previously occupied position following layoff status , the rate of pay will be set at a rate not less than the rate he or she was receiving before layoff. If, however, an employee voluntarily takes a position in a different pay level in lieu of layoff, the rate of pay will be set within the new pay level. Pay Upon Temporary AssignmentAn employee temporarily assigned the primary duties of a higher level position for more than 10 consecutive work days will be paid at or between the minimum and maximum of the pay range for the temporarily assigned job for the entire duration of the assignment. An employee temporarily assigned the primary duties of a higher level position for 10 or fewer consecutive work days will receive no adjustment in pay for the assignment. Pay Upon Termination of EmploymentIf an employee terminates employment for any reason, he/she will be paid any accrued, unused vacation leave and any unused personal holiday leave in the final paycheck. Purdue University provides separation pay to accommodate the need for an immediate termination to benefits-eligible staff members whose employment is terminated by the University. Eligible staff must have been employed for more than 90 consecutive calendar days immediately prior to termination. Separation pay is equal to:
Staff members who resign in lieu of being terminated by the University will receive separation pay if they meet all other eligibility requirements for separation pay. Pay Upon Re-Employment of a Former EmployeeFormer employees who return to University work will be paid according to the following:
Defining Hours WorkedThe following principles and definitions from the Fair Labor Standards Act are used to determine time that is spent as work for the University and its employing departments. University clerical and service staff members paid on the biweekly payroll must receive pay for all time spent in physical or mental exertion (whether burdensome or not). All time controlled or required by the supervisor and pursued necessarily and primarily for the benefit of the supervisor must be counted as work time. When a supervisor knows or has reason to believe that work is being performed, the supervisor must count and record the time as hours worked. Department heads have the authority and responsibility to establish and change work schedules in order to accomplish the business objectives of the department or organizational unit. Changes in daily and weekly work schedules, regardless of whether the change is ongoing or temporary, should be arranged and discussed with employees in advance, except in cases of emergency. The normal workweek (starting and ending day and time) cannot be changed to avoid the payment of overtime. A "workweek" is defined as a regularly recurring period of 168 hours in seven consecutive 24-hour periods. The University's defined workweek is Monday through Sunday beginning at 12:01 a.m. Monday and ending at midnight Sunday. Records must be maintained by the department for employees whose workweek differs from the normal University workweek. When a shift begins before and ends after 12:01 a.m. Monday, the hours worked during that shift are included in the workweek in which the shift begins. The following principles serve as general definitions of "hours worked." Since every possible situation cannot be included, no assumption should be made should a particular example be missing. In case of doubt, inquiries should be directed to HFS-Human Resources or the business office. 1. Waiting TimeWhether waiting time is time worked depends upon the agreement and circumstances of the work being performed and the parties involved.
2. Rest And Meal Periods
3. Changing Clothes and Washing TimeWhen a staff member is required, either by law or rules of the employer, or an as integral part of the work, to wash up and/or change clothing on the University's premises before or after working, the time spent changing and/or washing is work time. However, when a staff member washes and/or changes clothing for his/her own convenience, or is not required by law or the employer to do so on the premises, the time spent is not counted as time worked. 4. Lectures, Meetings and Training ProgramsAttendance at lectures, meetings, training programs and similar activities need not be counted as hours worked if all of the following four criteria are met:
5. Course StudyTime spent by an employee studying courses at home is not compensable under the overtime provisions of the FLSA where the study allowed the employee to advance to a new job classification and there was no requirement to take the course. 6. Travel TimeLocal Travel A staff member who travels from home before the regular workday and returns to his/her home at the end of the workday is engaged in ordinary home-to-work travel. Normal travel from home is not work time. Generally, an employee is not at work until he/she reaches the work site. Time spent by an employee in travel as part of his/her principal activity, such as travel from job site to job site during the workday, or travel to and from a training event, must be counted as hours worked. When a staff member is required to report at a meeting place to receive instructions, perform work there, or pick up tools or a vehicle, the travel from one place to another is part of the workday and must be counted as hours worked. Travel Away From the Normal Work Location A staff member who drives, or who is required to ride as an assistant and/or helper in a vehicle, is considered to be working while operating or riding in a vehicle. Any work which an employee is required to perform while traveling (even though not actually in transit) must be counted as hours worked. Bona fide meal periods are not counted as hours worked. Under certain circumstances, adequate sleeping facilities or per diem must be furnished. Time spent in travel as a passenger is paid for during normal duty hours on regular workdays as well as during those hours on usual non-workdays such as Saturday, Sunday and holidays. 7. Medical AttentionFor work-related injuries, time spent by a staff member in waiting for and receiving medical attention on the premises, or at the direction of his/her supervisor during the employee's normal working hours on the days worked, constitutes hours worked. 8. Off Duty With PayDepartments are encouraged to allow employees a reasonable amount of time off duty with pay to discuss concerns with pertinent University officials. Examples include discussion of future job possibilities, interviewing, job evaluation, personal counseling through the Employee Assistance Program, processing of complaints or grievances, or discussion of insurance and retirement concerns. 9. Time ClocksIf time clocks are used to record an employee's work time, the employee should be paid for the time recorded when they begin work (punch in) until the end of the shift (punch out). Overtime should be paid even if the employee clocks in for convenience and actual work will not be performed until later. Time clocks should be used to record actual work time. 10. Early Reporting to Work/Leave LateEmployees who report to work early or leave late are considered to be in work status if they are available to perform their normal job functions. For example, an employee who is in the office before normal working hours and answers the phone would be considered in paid status since services are being performed. Employees should clearly understand when they should report for work and end their shift. 11. Work Taken HomeEmployees who take work home are in work status even if the supervisor may not directly approve this arrangement. Any work performed outside of normal working hours should be approved in advance. 12. "Good Faith" Work ActivitiesTime spent in "good faith" activities or assisting with departmental business should be paid time. 13. Time and Attendance RecordsTime and attendance records are to be maintained in each department with daily and weekly total hours of regular time and overtime identified. Overtime is reported on the biweekly time slip as actual hours worked for the biweekly pay period. Payroll computing procedures calculate the hours at one-and-one-half times the regular rate for overtime hours. Records of regularly scheduled time and overtime are maintained to the nearest one-tenth hour. 14. Processing Biweekly Payroll
15. Flexible Work SchedulesFlexible work schedules embrace a wide variety of formats. Some of the most common are:
Not every work situation is conducive to such scheduling, especially where essential services or "services on demand" are involved. Nor do flexible work schedules provide a means for avoiding overtime opportunities or payment. Flexible work schedules are intended to offer variations for the mutual benefit of the employee and the organization. Flexible work schedules do not alter the authority and responsibility of department heads to establish and change work schedules in order to accomplish the business objectives of the department or organization unit. Sometimes the personal needs of an employee may result in a request to vary the normal daily work schedule. Typically such requests involve time off on one day to be made up on another day and may involve the employee working more than eight hours on that day (i.e. eight-and-one-half or nine hours). To accommodate these infrequent situations, a department head or designee may make an exception to the current policy of overtime pay after eight hours per day for a specific workweek. In such cases:
In some situations, requests may require an exception to University policy of overtime pay after eight hours per day on a continuing basis for more than one workweek. In these cases, the department must submit such requests to HFS-Human Resources . To record hours worked on a flexible work schedule, the employee should record the actual hours worked on the "worked regular" line. If the hours exceed the normal, regular hours worked for the position (traditionally eight hours), then the employee should asterisk the hours and at the bottom of the timecard write the word "flextime" and the number of hours associated with this assignment. This will indicate to the department payroll clerk that the hours are to be paid straight time and will eliminate any confusion regarding overtime pay. 16. Compensatory TimeCompensatory time is defined as the practice of providing time off at a later date for overtime worked within a specific workweek. The use of compensatory time off for time worked is not allowed for non-exempt staff members at Purdue University . This is not to be confused with rescheduling hours within the same pay period to maintain the normal gross pay (see "Calculating Overtime Pay"). 17. Additional University EmploymentMembers of the regular clerical and service staff who work for one department can work for another department or on another job at Purdue University only on a temporary, intermittent, or emergency part-time basis for the convenience of the employing department or for the utilization of special skills, experience or training. The supervisor or department head of the department in which the person is regularly employed must approve the additional employment. Pay for hourly work in additional University employment will be the straight-time rate established for the additional job, except when total hours for all jobs for any individual so employed exceed eight hours daily and/or 40 hours weekly. Overtime on the additional job must be compensated at the rate of one-and-one-half times the regular rate established for the additional position. Employing departments should coordinate time reporting to ensure that overtime is paid and charged appropriately. A flat fee or standard job rate cannot be used as a method to avoid overtime payment or to determine overtime pay. The regular rate of pay for additional work must not be lower than the minimum hourly rate established for that position. Regular staff may be hired to provide temporary services as a "secondary appointment" without incurring overtime if:
The decision to work in a different capacity must be made freely by the employee and without coercion by the employer. Exempt employees can work a maximum of eight (8) hours per week in a secondary (hourly) appointment without jeopardizing the FLSA exemption status of their regular position. Contact human resources for assistance in determining whether a situation meets the requirements for a secondary appointment. OvertimeEligibility for OvertimeThe overtime policy and its regulations apply to the employment of all regular and temporary staff members (including student employees), except for employees who perform work classified as exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Authorization for OvertimeDepartment heads or their designated representatives authorize overtime upon determining business need such as increased workloads, emergencies or other demands. To avoid last minute scheduling, supervisors should inform employees as soon as possible when they are needed for overtime work. The supervisor should also provide for fair and even distribution of overtime work among staff with the necessary qualifications to complete the assignment. Overtime not requested, but permitted or condoned by a supervisor, must be counted and paid as "worked overtime." Calculating Overtime PayPayment for overtime is made at the rate of one-and-one-half times the employee's regular rate of pay. The regular rate of pay includes the value of any shift differential, but excludes the value of protective clothing, safety apparel and perquisite (i.e. room, board and other facilities) etc., which may be furnished. Hours worked cannot be averaged over two or more workdays for the purpose of avoiding overtime. However, an employee may request a flexible work schedule. If the supervisor and employee develop a mutually acceptable flexible work schedule, the employee may work additional hours one day and fewer hours another day during the same workweek in order to maintain normal gross pay. Hours to be made up cannot be carried into another workweek. The department head or designee must approve the flexible schedule in advance of its implementation. If the flexed schedule is anticipated to last longer than one workweek, an exception to the University overtime policy is required. In these cases, departments must submit a written request to HFS-HR for approval prior to implementation. To record hours worked on a flexible work schedule, the employee should record actual hours worked on the "Worked Regular" line of the timecard. If the hours exceed the normal, regular hours worked for the position (typically eight hours), the employee should asterisk the hours and at the bottom of the timecard indicate "flextime" and the number of hours associated with that assignment. This will clarify to the department payroll clerk that the hours are to be paid straight time. Additional Overtime Provisions
Additional University EmploymentMembers of the regular clerical and service staff can work for another university department only on a temporary, intermittent, or emergency part-time basis for the convenience of the employing department or for the utilization of special skills, experience or training. The supervisor or department head of the regular employing department must approve the additional employment. Pay for hourly work in additional University employment will be the straight-time rate established for the additional job, unless total hours for all jobs exceed eight hours daily and/or 40 hours weekly. Overtime on the additional job must be compensated at the rate of one-and-one-half times the regular rate established for the additional position. Employing departments should coordinate time reporting to ensure that overtime is paid and charged appropriately. A flat fee or standard job rate cannot be used to avoid overtime payment or to determine overtime pay. The regular rate of pay for additional work must not be lower than the minimum hourly rate established for that position. Miscellaneous Pay PracticesHoliday PayThe University provides ten paid holidays each fiscal year. To be eligible for holiday pay, the staff member must be a regular employee in pay status on a normally scheduled workday both immediately preceding and following the holiday. An employee on an approved, paid leave of absence (except worker's compensation leave) is in pay status for purposes of holiday pay. An employee is not eligible for holiday pay if he/she terminates the day prior to an official holiday unless he/she is an official University retiree. Paid holidays will always occur from Monday through Friday. When a holiday occurs on a day the employee is normally off duty, he/she will be credited with another day off on a normally scheduled workday within the same workweek as the holiday. Regular employees who are required to work on a University holiday receive pay for the holiday plus time-and-one-half for all hours worked on the holiday. Temporary employees, including student employees, who work on a University holiday are paid at the straight time rate. Regular members of the clerical and service staff in layoff status without pay at the convenience of the department for thirty days or less, will receive holiday pay for the official University paid holidays at Christmas and New Year's (currently four days). Holiday pay will not be granted to those on layoff for any other holidays. Regular members of the clerical and service staff who are on personal leave without pay are not eligible for holiday pay at any time. Hazardous Weather Pay PracticeDuring periods of adverse weather conditions, pay practices do not change unless the president of the university declares a "Snow Recess", which explicitly tells staff not to report for work. The president or executive vice president and provost are the only persons who can declare a Snow Recess. During all other periods of bad weather, regular biweekly paid staff who are absent from work, arrive late, or leave early, must charge their time to vacation, personal holiday (if eligible) or absence without pay. This policy applies even if a department head has advised staff to be absent, arrive late or leave early due to weather conditions. Departments are encouraged to be flexible in the approval of leave time when safety is a concern. In summary, the following pay practice will be in effect during a Snow Recess:
Call-Back PayAn employee will be credited with a minimum of three-and-one-half hours as time worked and compensated at the overtime rate when:
This policy does not apply to time scheduled or arranged that immediately precedes or follows regular work hours. Regular pay practice (including overtime pay) will apply when an extension to the regular daily work shift causes a non-exempt employee to work more than eight hours daily or 40 hours weekly. Any interruption in work time for the benefit of the employee does not change the extension of the work-shift as defined above and the employee is eligible only for payment of time worked. This type of interruption covers such times as authorized meal periods, rest breaks, time to take co-workers home, time scheduled solely for the convenience of the employee, etc. Employees who work on their regular day off, which extends their regular weekly work shift, will be paid a minimum of three-and-one-half hours at the overtime rate. Non-exempt employees normally scheduled less than full time are covered by the overtime provisions of this policy only when they work in excess of eight hours daily or 40 hours weekly. Regular pay practice (including overtime pay) will apply for those activities of mutual benefit to the employee and the University and do not involve performance of the employee's normal work responsibilities . Examples of such activities are attendance at Clerical/Service Advisory Committee meetings, attendance at a grievance hearing on behalf of an active employee, or training events not required, but encouraged by the supervisor. Pay During Emergency Building SearchAll staff members will be in regular pay status during an emergency building search. Both staff members who are directed to leave and those who leave voluntarily will be expected to return to their workplaces within 30 minutes after the search is completed and the building declared safe. It is the policy to grant a minimum of two (2) hours in pay status for the building to be searched and to allow 30 minutes for staff members to return to their workplaces after the search has been completed. When the building search requires more than two hours, staff members continue in pay status for the actual time of the building search plus the 30-minute check-in allowance. It is the staff member's responsibility to determine whether or not the search has been completed by calling their employing department, the campus switchboard operator, or the Safety and Security Department. Staff members who do not return to their workplaces within 30 minutes after the search has been completed and the building declared safe will not be paid for the remainder of their normal workday unless their supervisor has approved the use of vacation time. Pay During Selective Shutdowns Due to Environmental ConditionsOccasionally, environmental conditions in buildings and/or work areas become so unbearable or inappropriate (i.e. lack of heat or power) that staff members are unable to perform their assigned tasks. In these instances, the department head may decide to excuse clerical and service staff employees from further work during the day if other alternatives are not practical. This action would not impair the efficiency of the University, be detrimental to the health of the employees, nor penalize hourly paid employees. In this event, employees may be excused without loss of time or pay. Such an excused absence shall apply only to employees who have reported for work at the time the decision is made. Employees who are on vacation, sick leave or other types of excused absence will continue in that status. Excused absences due to shutdowns caused by extreme environmental conditions will be reported on the biweekly time slips as "Other Leave" and explained. Shift DifferentialsShift differentials are used to compensate regular clerical and service staff members who normally work on one of the following shifts.
The differential rate is added to the normal hourly pay rate and must be applied to all hours worked on the shift. The value of the shift differential is subtracted from the cash pay in order to determine if a pay rate is within bracket. Student and temporary employees are eligible for shift differentials when they work 40 or more hours biweekly. PerquisitesThe University furnishes perquisites, such as board and housing, to some staff members when it is a convenience to the employing department and it is considered a condition of employment.
The perquisite value (housing only) is used to determine Group Insurance entitlement. To determine the base rate of pay (rate to be used on the payroll change form), deduct the value of any perquisites received from the hourly base rate of pay. For example: The value of the perquisite is added to the cash pay rate in order to determine if a pay rate is within bracket. Time CardsBi-weekly employees use a time clock to record their work hours on a time card. Make sure a new employee has a time card. The supervisor certifies all paid and/or unpaid hours by their signature on the time cards. Send bi-weekly time cards to the account clerk on Monday morning after the end of the pay period, unless otherwise notified. Common Errors Found on Time Cards
Note: Family illness must be designated as "Family Illness" in the description area, even though it is charged as sick leave. Clock In and Clock OutSupervisors have the authority and responsibility to establish and change work schedules in order to accomplish the business needs of the organizational unit. Employees are expected to clock in and out as close to the scheduled work times as practical. PaychecksBi-weeklyBi-weekly checks are distributed every other Wednesday from the departmental business office. MonthlyMonthly checks are distributed the last working day of the month. All StaffAn employee's first paycheck may have incorrect tax or insurance deductions, depending on when the employee's processing and paperwork were completed. Problems or errors on paychecks should be reported to the HFS-Business Office. Most corrections will be made on the employee's next check. Employees may have their net pay deposited in the Purdue Credit Union or any bank after completing an automatic deposit form. Deposits are not valid until the pay date, even though a bank statement may occasionally show it deposited in the employee's account the day before the pay date. Lost paychecks should be reported immediately to the HFS-Business Office. The University Disbursements Office will stop payment on the check right away and set up a time for the employee to complete some paperwork so a new check can be issued. No one may pick up a check or deposit slip prior to the scheduled payday. Terminal vacation (and personal holiday, if applicable) will be included in the employee's final normal paycheck, if the Report of Termination of Employment Form 4 is received in the HFS-Business Office during that last pay period. Memorandum No. 142 outlines the policy regarding termination of employment for Clerical/Service staff. Change in Family StatusThe definition of a change in family status is: marriage, divorce, birth, death, adoption, or change in dependent status (for example, a child turning 19 years old and no longer a full-time student). The form(s) you will need to complete will depend on the change(s) you are making, but includes changes in benefits coverage, change in beneficiary, etc. Contact your departmental business office to obtain the appropriate form(s). Fill out the form(s) completely and correctly and return them to the proper location. Termination and RetirementThe word "termination" applies to anyone who departs from Housing and Food Services for reasons including retirement, transfer, death, University-initiated, or self-initiated resignation. Memorandum No. 142 outlines the termination of employment policy for clerical and service staff. Refer to Memorandum B-55 regarding the termination of administrative and professional staff. Expectations for Notice of ResignationEmployees may resign at any time for any reason. Hourly employees are expected to notify his/her supervisor or department head in writing at least two weeks in advance of the resignation effective date. Failure to give at least one week of notice may make an employee ineligible for reemployment at the University. Should an employee give a verbal resignation, but not put it in writing, the supervisor should write a formal letter of acceptance of the resignation. Salaried staff members are expected to give at least one month notice of resignation. DocumentationBe sure to immediately notify your account clerk of the termination date of a salaried employee, particularly if the last workday falls in the middle of the month. The account clerk needs to pro rate pay and vacation accrual for that month and submit necessary paperwork so the terminating employee will not be overpaid. Complete a Form 4 Report of Termination of Employment for the employee and submit it to the business office as soon as possible. COBRA notification is initiated by this form. Accuracy in completion of this form is vital, especially "reasons for leaving." If an employee has exhausted his/her available leave and is continuing on LTD, please check reason code "26" and state this in the explanation. Do not assign a retirement status at this time UNLESS that is the ONLY reason for termination of employment. Other IssuesEmployees must be present on their last day of work unless termination is due to illness. If the last day worked is immediately before a holiday, a retiree is eligible for that holiday pay. Notify the departmental business office as soon as you are aware of an employee's death, so that paperwork for the beneficiary may be started, etc. If termination is for disciplinary reasons, the supervisor will discuss with HFS-Human Resources prior to termination. If, after consultation with HFS-Human Resources, it is determined that the employee should be terminated immediately, the University provides separation pay for eligible staff members. Staff members who resign in lieu of being terminated will receive separation pay if they meet all eligibility requirements. Even if an employee has been discharged, terminal vacation is to be paid. Arrange an exit interview between the employee and HFS-Human Resources (49418). Information gained by HFS-Human Resources at the exit interview will be shared with appropriate directors and supervisors. Complete and approve final time cards. Obtain any uniforms, tools and keys. Collect parking stickers and identification cards. Contact HFS Information Systems staff to terminate computer access for those employees who are leaving. Individuals electing to continue medical coverage under COBRA will be billed for their appropriate premium within 45 days of electing the coverage. Refer to Purdue University Policy IV.14.01 (May 1, 2002) regarding Separation Pay . RetirementExecutive Memorandum C-32 addresses Early Retirement Alternatives. Business Office Memorandum No. 187 outlines the sick leave conversion plan for clerical and service staff. Employees should contact a Benefits Counselor in Staff Benefits to prepare for and plan retirement. To be an official University retiree, a staff member must be age 60 or more with at least 10 years of continuous employment immediately prior to retirement, or age 55 or more with at least 15 years of employment, 10 of which must be continuous and immediately prior to retirement. For additional eligibility requirements see the Business Procedures Manual. COBRAThe Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) was signed into law in 1986. In compliance, Purdue and other employers now make available group medical insurance for up to 18 months in the following situations:
COBRA also allows dependents of Purdue employees to be insured when they would otherwise lose coverage, such as when the age cap is reached or the dependent finishes school. Spouses may elect COBRA coverage in the event of a divorce or if the employee dies. NotificationThe University will notify terminated employees of their COBRA rights upon completion of a Personnel Services Form 4 Report of Termination of Employment. For other situations it is the responsibility of the individual to notify Human Resource Services within 31 days of the qualifying event by completing a Change in Family Status form. Information explaining the costs, billing procedures and allowable duration of the coverage will be sent to the person(s) eligible for COBRA. Premium for coverage will be 102 percent of the full cost of the medical plan selection (full cost = employee plus University premiums). EligibilityGroup health coverage through Purdue may be continued until the earliest of the following:
Coverage for dependents may be continued until the earliest of the following:
The former employee and covered dependents have 60 days (from date of COBRA notification) to elect continuation of coverage in the same category chosen during active service at Purdue. Or, if coverage is not needed for everyone, individual family members may continue coverage separately. Job Description / Classification Review ProcessExisting (Non-Standard) PositionsContact the HFS-Human Resources Office to discuss the general need for the update/review of a regular position description. A general guideline is that a position description typically needs to be updated about every five years or when twenty percent of the job has changed. Once the need is agreed upon, submit a request outlining the changes that have occurred and your recommended outcome (i.e. change in classification or title, upgrade, downgrade, etc.). Also submit a draft description reflecting the significant changes identified in the cover letter. The position description (Form 10) can be accessed on line at: http://www.purdue.edu/hr/Compensation/comp_forms.htm Send the form as an email attachment to the Human Resource Specialist handling classification. Upon receipt of the request and draft description, the Human Resource Specialist may call the supervisor for further clarification and/or may schedule a meeting with the incumbent for further details. Once the specialist has compiled all necessary information, the position description will be returned to the supervisor for review. The supervisor may share the job description with the relevant employee(s) as appropriate. Once it is determined that the description is an accurate reflection of the position duties and qualifications, the supervisor and department head will sign and return the original document to the Human Resource Specialist, who will establish the appropriate title and classification level. The supervisor will receive notification of the results of the review in writing along with an official copy of the approved job description. The results may be no level change, downward level, upward level, staff change or title change. The supervisor should provide a copy of the job description to the employee(s) and discuss the results with them. New PositionsYour director's authorization is required prior to creating new position descriptions. After receiving approval, discuss the responsibilities of the position with a Human Resource Specialist. Please submit a new position description form. At this point, the process is identical to Existing Positions, beginning with the review. Standard Job DescriptionsMany of the positions in Housing and Food Services are covered by standard job descriptions, in which one description reflects the general duties in a large number of similar positions. A review of these positions is considered a major project due to its wide scope and effort. As such it is usually prioritized with other large projects being conducted by the HFS-Human Resource office. Task Analysis FormsJob task analyses are conducted on positions in order to provide physical, mental and environmental data to doctors for “fitness for duty” determinations and other purposes. These analyses include specific limits and frequencies of common work activities. These forms can be developed in conjunction with a new job description or in response to a specific request. Contact a HFS HR Specialist for assistance. Departmental Temporary Positions (Up to 1,000 hours)If an approved standard job title and classification code does not exist for the temporary position needed, please complete the temporary position form at: http://www.purdue.edu/hr/Compensation/comp_forms.htm and forward to a Human Resource Specialist to determine the appropriate job title and level for payroll purposes. Recurring Temporary PositionsThese are positions that are utilized from year to year, yet not exceeding 1,000 hours per year. These positions must be classified through HFS-Human Resources. |
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