Human Resources
November 2007
Human Resources Advisory Group
Meeting Minutes
November 2007
Attended: Laurie McKenzie-Crane, Ed Best, Deborah Bennett, Sheryl Pustay, Tom Reese, Amber Schott, Belinda Carr, John McOsker, Chris Hardy and Barbara Lay
Absent: None
Scribe: Barbara Lay
Cc: Seth Patton, Jim Ables
Human Resources Updates:
Barbara brought up several items that are being proposed for change effective January 1, 2008:
• Overtime. She stated that that we would be moving toward no more overtime in an 8 hour day, and that overtime would be based on a 40 hour work week. Some were concerned and expressed that this change would reduce the hours that they would work on a casual basis or departmental evening events.
• Personal Leave/Floating Holiday. Barbara stated that personal leave would be eliminated and replace with an extra floating holiday. A question came up regarding whether part-time employee would benefit from this. Barbara said that she would look into it. Part-time employees will benefit from this change. The leave will be pro-rated based on their employment status.
• Direct Deposit. Barbara stated that all staff will move to electronic direct statements through DU Self-Service (online).
NEW BUSINESS:
Questions:
- An employee has asked how and when does HR respond to job applicants. This is primarily regarding an applicant from outside the university. When do they receive a "sorry, we have hired another applicant" type of letter? Barbara stated that applicants are sent a letter in receipt of their interest expressed with Denison, and then they would also receive a final letter if not selected.
- A recently retired employee suggested creating a notebook with a timeline and check list to assist employees entering the retirement process. Perhaps HR could hire a retired employee to create this workbook. So someone who has recently gone through the process would be better able to predict and explain the relevant questions and problems. Barbara stated that it was a great idea. Although, she wasn’t certain that the retiree would be hired back just to create this workbook. HR does have an exit interview/meeting with persons leaving the University to discuss specific items such as retirement benefits, life insurance and insurance plans after they leave Denison.
- If an employee accepts more responsibility in their current position, is there a process to re-evaluate the job and/or a process for the employee to request a raise? Would the re-evaluation of the job require a higher grade level before the employee could receive a salary increase? Barbara stated that the employee should have some discussion with their supervisor/manager regarding the re-evaluation of duties. She stated that there is the opportunity to discuss it specifically at the evaluation period, but the employee should document all the duties they are performing and then provide a copy of it to the supervisor and HR for review. An increase in rate of pay is questionable.
- Retirement packages to the part-time workers. A member stated that part-time employees have the opportunity to contribute to a supplemental retirement annuity where they would contribute their own dollars toward retirement. There is no waiting period. The employee can contribute at any time. The member also expressed that part-time employees who work a numbers of hours per year are eligible for the core retirement benefit where Denison contributes 10% of their salary to a selected carrier (TIAA-CREFF, Scudder or ING). Barbara concurred with the member and stated that part-time employee who work over 1000 hours per year would be eligible for that core retirement benefit, and all employees (part-time or full-time) are eligible for the supplemental retirement.
Longevity rewards for employees with 10 or more years of service. A suggestion of 25¢ an hour raise @10 years and 25¢ an hour at every 5 years thereafter OR a bonus on the Anniversary date of $500. Why is there little recognition of long term employees? One member stated that the topic has been raised before. The group discussed considering an award, monetary or otherwise to recognize people on their anniversary date of 10 or more years.
OTHER BUSINESS
What alternatives are there for employees who accrue 2000-2500 sick leave? At retirement, employees can get paid out for 600 of those hours.- Comp Time vs. Overtime. As per policy comp hours are to be used only in the week they were gained; otherwise an employee must be paid for the overtime.
The next HRAG meeting will be December 5, 2007 in Burton Morgan Room 317.