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This website publishes administrative rules on their effective dates, as designated by the adopting state agencies, colleges, and universities.

Chapter 3337-40 | Policies on Discrimination and Benefits

 
 
 
Rule
Rule 3337-40-01 | Equal employment and educational opportunity.
 

The version of this rule that includes live links to associated resources is online at

https://www.ohio.edu/policy/40-001.html

(A) Overview

There shall be no discrimination against any person in employment or educational opportunities because of race, color, religion, age, ethnicity, national origin, national ancestry, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, military service or veteran status, mental or physical disability, or genetic information, except as explicitly provided for in this policy.

University faculty, staff, students, or volunteers may not retaliate against a person who has made a protected disclosure under this policy.

(B) Prohibited conduct

(1) Discrimination

Discrimination occurs when a person or group of people are denied rights, benefits, equitable treatment, or access to programs or facilities available to all others because of membership in a protected class. Members of protected classes have historically been denied access to or are underrepresented in educational and employment opportunities and are protected from discrimination by federal and state civil rights law, or university policy as listed in part (A) of this policy.

(2) Harassment

Harassment is defined as conduct that is directed towards a person or a group of persons on the basis of any protected class listed in part (A) of this policy, that is:

(a) Severe enough to deny or limit participation in or full benefit of employment or educational opportunity at Ohio university; or

(b) Severe or pervasive enough to create a work or educational environment that a reasonable person would consider intimidating, hostile, or abusive.

Ohio university recognizes harassment as a form of unlawful discrimination that can be a barrier to access to educational or employment opportunity.

(3) Sexual misconduct

Ohio university's policy on sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, is set forth in policy 03.004.

(4) Retaliation

Retaliation is defined as adverse action or threat of an adverse action taken by the university, or member thereof, in response to a person who, in good faith, makes a protected disclosure under this policy by: reporting suspected discriminatory or harassing conduct to a supervisor or appropriate university official; filing a complaint under federal or state law or university policy that prohibits discrimination or harassment; participating in an investigation or proceeding under this policy; or opposing educational or employment practices that the person reasonably believes discriminate against persons or groups of people in violation of university policies. University faculty, staff, students, or volunteers may not directly or indirectly use or attempt to use the official authority or influence of their positions or offices for the purpose of interfering with the right of a person to make a protected disclosure to the person's immediate supervisor or other appropriate administrator or supervisor within the operating unit, or other appropriate university official about matters within the scope of this policy.

(5) Limitations of scope

Petty slights, annoyances, and isolated incidents (unless severe) of rude, uncivil, or non-collegial behavior will generally not rise to the level of violation of policy and should be addressed to a supervisor. The legitimate exercise of supervisory authority, including oversight, evaluation, and requiring adherence to standards of performance, conduct, and safety, shall not be considered discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under this policy.

(C) Policy application

(1) Responsibility

It is the responsibility of all members of the university community faculty, staff, and students to create and maintain an employment and educational environment that is free of discrimination. The responsibility of overseeing the university's compliance with this policy has been delegated by the president of the university to the director of equity and civil rights compliance. The office of equity and civil rights compliance ("ECRC") is responsible for investigating all complaints of discrimination and harassment that are based on any status protected by federal or state law, or university policy listed in part (A) of this policy, and for complaints of retaliation as it relates to this policy as described in part (B)(4) of this policy.

(2) Right to file a complaint

Any member of the university community who believes that he or she has been discriminated against or harassed on the basis of any status protected by federal or state law, or university policy listed in part (A) of this policy, may file a complaint with the ECRC. Any person who believes that he or she has been retaliated against for a protected disclosure under this policy may report to the ECRC.

(3) Cooperation with investigation

A complainant is expected to actively provide information that will support his or her complaint in the time and manner deemed necessary and appropriate by the university to conduct the investigation. Failure to cooperate with the investigation process in a timely manner may compromise the university's ability to conduct an investigation and address allegations fully. Third parties may file a complaint on behalf of a person whom they believe has been adversely affected by conduct in violation of this policy. All employees and students are required to participate and cooperate with investigations as required by the ECRC.

Information received in connection with the filing, investigation, and resolution of allegations will be treated as confidential except to the extent it is necessary to disclose particulars in the course of the investigation or when compelled to do so by law. All persons involved in the process should observe the same standard of discretion and respect for the privacy of persons involved in the process.

(4) Anonymous complaints

Anonymous complaints will be accepted; however, Ohio university may be limited in its ability to investigate or resolve anonymous complaints because our ability to obtain additional information may be compromised.

If the anonymous complaint contains sufficiently detailed information about conduct that would constitute a crime, then the complaint will be forwarded to the Ohio university police department. If the anonymous complaint contains sufficiently detailed information about conduct that would constitute a violation of this policy, the ECRC will exercise due diligence to address the concerns identified with the affected planning unit. For more detailed information on how a harassment complaint or report will be investigated or resolved, contact the ECRC.

(5) Student conduct

Some conduct described in this policy may also be subject to educational disciplinary processes pursuant to Ohio university's "Student Code of Conduct" as set forth at https://www.ohio.edu/communitystandards/.

(D) Affirmative action

Ohio university will provide equal employment opportunities to all persons who possess appropriate qualification for employment. In addition, it is the policy of the university to undertake affirmative action to promote equal opportunity for employment, consistent with its obligations as a federal contractor, for minorities and women, for persons with disabilities, and for covered veterans. In conformance with federal regulations and Ohio university's affirmative action statement, an annual written affirmative action plan shall be prepared and maintained by Ohio university and made available for public inspection.

The version of this rule that includes live links to associated resources is online at

https://www.ohio.edu/policy/40-001.html

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 111.15
Amplifies: 111.15
Rule 3337-40-03 | Reasonable accomodations of sincerely held religious beliefs and practices.
 

(A) A student may be absent for up to three days each academic semester to take holidays for reasons of faith or religious or spiritual belief system or participate in organized activities conducted under the auspicies of a religious domination, church, or other religious or spiritual organization. There shall be no academic penalty as a result of a student being absent as permitted in this policy.

(B) Students shall be provided with alternative accomodations with regard to examinations and other academic requirments missed due to an absence described in paragraph (A) of this policy, if both of the following apply:

(1) The student's sincerely held religious belief or practice severely affects the student's ability to take an examination or meet the academic requirement.

(2) The student provides the instructor with written notice of the specific dates for which the student requires alternative accomodations not later than fourteen days after the first day of instruction in a particular course.

(C) An instructor shall accept without question the sincerity of a student's religious or spiritual belief system. An instructor shall keep requests for alternative accomodations confidential. An instructor shall schedule a time and date for an alternative examination, which may be before or after the time and date the examination or other academic requirement was originally scheduled but shall not do so without prejudicial effect.

(D) Instructors are required to include in each course syllabus a statement regarding this policy. The statement shall include both of the following:

(1) A description of the general procedure for requesting accomodations;

(2) Contact information for an individual whom a student may contact for more information about this policy.

(E) The office of equity and civil rights compliance ("ECRC") is responsible for investigating all complaints of discrimination and harassment that are based on any status protected by federal or state law, or university policy and complaints of retaliation as it relates to this policy.

Students may notify equity and civil rights compliance of any grievance with regard to the implementation of this policy by filing a report at www.ohio.edu/equity-civil-rights or by contacting the director by phone or email:

Kerri Griffin, director and Title IX coordinator

Equity and civil rights compliance

Lindley hall, 006

740.593.9140

Equity@ohio.edu

(F) This policy must be posted prominently on the "OHIO" webpage. Likewise, "OHIO" will publish a nonexhaustive list of major religious holidays or festivals for the next two academic years. However, the list may not be used to deny accommodation to a student for a holiday or festival of the students faith or religious or spiritual belief system that does not appear on the list.

Last updated April 20, 2023 at 8:16 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3337.01
Amplifies: 3337.01
Rule 3337-40-05 | Performance management for administrators.
 

(A) General policy statement

Performance management activities should promote and support the institution's commitment to developing and retaining high-performing, diverse workforce critical to supporting Ohio university's mission and initiatives. University human resources ("UHR") manages official guidelines, procedures, timelines and tools to ensure a consistent and effective approach to performance management across the institution.

(B) Program objectives

Ohio university will maintain a performance management program that:

(1) Facilitates alignment of institutional goals and priorities with individual contributions of employees.

(2) Enables supervisors to set expectations for employees in a collaborative manner.

(3) Provides an effective framework for ongoing, useful feedback and coaching.

(4) Ensures employees are provided formal feedback about their performance at least annually.

(5) Provides objective and consistent methodologies for measuring performance facilitating the university's merit-based compensation practices.

(6) Promotes the professional growth and development of employees in support of more effective performance and succession planning.

(C) Annual goal setting and evaluations

Supervisors shall establish and record annual performance goals and expectations with their direct reports as early as possible in the performance cycle or when directed by their department or planning unit. Before the end of the performance cycle, supervisors, including temporary or interim supervisors, shall complete a formal year-end evaluation. Excluding executive level positions, all evaluations shall be reviewed and signed by the supervisor and the second level supervisor or designee as specified in operational guidelines.

Supervisors should refer to https://www.ohio.edu/hr/performance/ for specific forms, guidelines, tools, and other resources to be used in the performance management process.

Non-compliance will be escalated to achieve compliance.

Performance evaluations are not grievable. Employees may submit additional comments to be included in their personnel file with their completed evaluations. Employees that feel that their evaluation is a violation of policy 40.001 "Equal Employment and Educational Opportunity," should contact the office of equity and civil rights compliance.

Last updated September 28, 2022 at 8:41 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3337.01
Amplifies: 3337.01
Rule 3337-40-07 | Public records requests.
 

The version of this rule that includes live links to associated resources is online at

https://www.ohio.edu/policy/40-007.html

(A) Scope and overview

This policy serves to ensure compliance with the Ohio Public Records Act, section 149.43 of the Revised Code, and to facilitate the public's access to the university's public records.

University records are organized and maintained in accordance with the university's records retention schedules.

All university employees have a duty to assist with the university's public records process to ensure timely production of public records. Any university employee who receives a public records request is required to immediately notify the public records compliance coordinator and, if the request is in writing, forward the request to the public records compliance coordinator.

(B) Definitions

(1) "Record": A document in any format- paper, electronic (including university e-mail), created, received by, or coming under the jurisdiction of the university that documents the organization, functions, policies, decisions, procedures, operations, or other activities of the university. Electronic records include emails, texts, voicemails. social media, and other forms of communication technology.

(2) "Public record": A "record" kept by the university at the time a public records request is made, subject to applicable exemptions from disclosure under Ohio or federal law. Public records do not include, student education records, attorney-client privileged records, an individual's personal notes, confidential law enforcement and investigatory records, intellectual property records, donor profile records, and other record exceptions described in division (A)(1) of section 149.32 of the Revised Code.

(C) Responsible university office and public records compliance coordinator

The office of legal affairs is the designated university office to receive and review all requests for Ohio university's public records and public records of the Ohio university foundation. An employee within the office of legal affairs will serve as the university's public records compliance coordinator, whose responsibilities include coordinating and tracking the university's response.

(D) Public records request process

Public records requests may be made in person, by phone, or in writing. The most expedient method is to submit a public records request in writing via e-mail to the public records compliance coordinator at legalaffairs@ohio.edu.

Requests may also be made to the office of university communications and marketing media@ohio.edu.

Information for making a request by other means, including phone and in person, is available on the university's public records web page at https://www.ohio.edu/legal.

(1) Responsive timeframe

The university strives, as directed by Ohio law, to promptly produce public records for the inspection and, within a reasonable period of time, provide copies of requested public records to the requester. "Prompt" and "reasonable" take into account the breadth and clarity of the request, volume of records requested, location of the records, medium in which the records are stored, and necessity of a legal review and redaction. In cases where responsive records are voluminous and production would take a substantial amount of time, the production would take a substantial amount of of time, the production may take place in stages until the response is complete.

(2) Records request content

A public records request may only be for existing records. Although no particular language is required, the request must also be specific enough for the university to reasonably identify the records being sought.

Requesters are encouraged, although not obligated, to make public records requests in writing. Requesters are also not required to reveal their indentity or the purpose of their request, although the university may ask to do so if such infomation could be helpful in identifying the records being sought.

(3) Denial and redaction of records

A request for infomation is not considered a proper public records request and may be denied. The university is under no obligation to create a record if no responsive record exists or cannot be reasonably identified. In some circumstances, the university may, at its discretion, respond by compiling and providing information in writing (creating a record) when deemed practical.

The university may also deny requests that are ambiguous or overly broad or otherwise lack sufficient clarity to be able to reasonably identify thr public records being sought. In such cases, the requester will be afforded an opportunity to revise the request. Providing the purpose of the request, which, as noted, is not required, may be helpful for the university to identify the records being sought.

All records retrieved in response to a public records request are subject to legal review. If the university withholds, redacts, or otherwise denies requested records, in whole or in part, an explanation that includes legal authority will be provided. Any redaction will be made visible to the requester. If the requester disagrees or is dissatisfied with the university's response, the requester is encouraged to contact the office of legal affairs.

Redacting information within a record is permissible is required or authorized by law. Examples of a permissible redaction include, social security numbers, student education records, intellectual property records, donor profile records and confidential law enforcement records.

(4)

(E) Charge for copies and mailing costs

Under Ohio law, the university may charge for the actual costs associated with producing copies and delivery. There is no charge for university employee time to process the request. Nor is there a charge for an electronic copy of records created and maintained in electronic form. The university may require charges to be paid in advance.

(F) Personnel files

When a public records request is made for an employee's personnel file, the university will, to the extent practicable, notify the employee that her or his personnel records have been requested and, if known, the identity of the requester.

(G) Related policies and other resources

The following resources should be consulted as appropriate:

(1) Policy 12.020

(2) Policy 93.002

(3) The public may access the Ohio attorney general's website and look under the publications section for a complete manual on "Ohio's Sunshine Laws."

The version of this rule that includes live links to associated resources is online at

https://www.ohio.edu/policy/40-007.html

Last updated December 28, 2022 at 8:53 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3337.01
Amplifies: 3337.01
Rule 3337-40-11 | Employee recognition awards.
 

The version of this rule that includes live links to associated resources is online at

https://www.ohio.edu/policy/40-011.html

(A) Overview

This policy contains guidelines for providing employee awards as incentives or as recognition of an employee's one-time, exceptional achievement. Rewards and recognition are used to improve performance, motivate employees, build confidence and increase employee retention. Departments may choose whether or not to develop a defined reward program. In absence of a defined reward program, units may give awards in recognition of extraordinary performance or achievement.

(B) Types of awards

(1) Defined reward program

These are documented reward programs developed, communicated, and implemented in consultation with the university human resources (UHR) compensation office. Defined reward program awards may be offered to provide incentives to measurably increase:

(a) Productivity (work quality and or quantity)

(b) Attendance

(c) General employee morale or health.

All such programs or events must be monitored for results, and the program, or event sponsorship, should be continued, adjusted, or terminated as indicated. To be renewed, on-going incentive programs or events must demonstrate measurable positive results within twelve months of inception or occurrence.

(2) Recognition of extraordinary performance or achievement

These are awards offered to provide after-the-fact reward for performance or achievement that is outside the bounds of what is ordinarily expected in the position, in these three areas:

(a) Successful cost savings suggestions or effort

(b) Successful one time project or accomplishment

(c) Exceptional service - performance above and beyond the call of duty

(3) Not allowable

(a) Compensation for the permanent assignment of continuing departmental duties: compensation for continuing duties cannot be addressed through this recognition award policy. If an employee's duties have been permanently altered to include higher level duties, contact the university human resource compensation office, to determine if a position upgrade, or other compensation option, is indicated.

(b) Compensation for the temporary assignment of pre-existing departmental duties: compensation for a temporary assignment that is not related to a one-time-project, but instead involves temporarily doing higher level duties (e.g., to cover for an open position during a lengthy search), cannot be addressed through this policy. Contact the university human resource compensation office to determine if a temporary position upgrade, or other compensation option, is indicated.

(c) Compensation for extra hours or overload duties: Do not submit a request for an employee recognition award based on overtime worked for standard or additional duties performed. Contact the university human resource compensation office to learn about overtime, overload, and additional compensation options.

(d) Recognition of a holiday or personal event: employee awards cannot be given in recognition of a personal occasion or event (e.g., a birthday or a personal accomplishment) or a holiday (e.g., Christmas). See the finance division's "Gift-buying Guidelines" at https://www.ohio.edu/finance/customercare/faq.cfm for further details.

(C) Methods of reward

Award may be via cash or gift, according to the "Employee Recognition Award Guidelines."

(D) Dollar amount considerations

(1) Maximum

Awards may not exceed a total of three thousand dollars (gross) in value, per employee, per fiscal year, unless specifically requested by the department with supporting documentation to be reviewed by the UHR compensation office. Awards over three thousand dollars (gross) in value will be submitted to the president, the vice president for finance and administration, the vice president for student affairs, the vice president university advancement, or the executive vice president and provost for approval.

(2) Taxability issues

Cash awards are always taxable and are required to be reported on employees' W2 forms. Gifts to employees are also taxable, with the exception of retirement gifts meeting value and other requirements. Please contact the tax compliance section of finance for advice.

(3) All awards

All employee award purchases, regardless of dollar amount, must have a business purpose, and are subject to the policy restrictions listed in this policy, and to all university purchasing and expense policies.

(E) Eligibility

All university employees are eligible for awards as described in this policy, including student employees.

(F) Authorizations and audits

The "Recognition Form Appendix A" and the "Employee Awards Request Form" (EARF) require authorization by the direct supervisor and the planning unit head, and are then forwarded to the UHR compensation office, for approval and submission to payroll for processing. Requests will be audited by university human resources. Requests not in compliance with this policy will not be processed for payment. All employee recognition awards, programs, or events are subject to audit, at any time, by university human resources, the finance division, the internal audit office, or external auditors from the state or federal government.

The version of this rule that includes live links to associated resources is online at

https://www.ohio.edu/policy/40-011.html

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 111.15
Amplifies: 111.15
Rule 3337-40-13 | Domestic Partner Benefits.
 

The version of this rule that includes live links to associated resources is online at

http://www.ohio.edu/policy/40-013.html

(A) Overview

This policy provides for the participation of unmarried same or opposite sex domestic partners and children of domestic partners in the Ohio university benefit plan.

Same sex couples legally married in one of the fifty states, the District of Columbia, a US territory, or a foreign country that recognizes their marriage are considered married for the purposes of all university policies and benefits, and are not domestic partners.

(B) Definitions

(1) For the purposes of this policy, "domestic partners" are two individuals of the same or opposite sex who:

(a) Share a regular and permanent residence; and

(b) Have a committed personal relationship for at least six months; and

(c) Can demonstrate financial interdependence; and

(d) Are not related by blood, not legally married, nor in a domestic partnership with anyone else.

(2) For the purposes of this policy, the "domestic partner's immediate family" is defined by Policies 40.029 and 40.030; see also subsection (B)(2) in Policy 40.016.

(C) Affected policies

The following policies are extended as necessary in order to provide for domestic partnerships as described in this policy:

(1) Policy 19.058

(2) Policy 24.030.

(3) Policy 40.016.

(4) Policy 40.029.

(5) Policy 40.030.

(6) Policy 40.054.

(7) Policy 40.107

(8) Policy 41.009.

(9) Policy 41.010.

(10) Policy 41.130.

(D) Benefits

The benefits under this policy may vary according to the employment status of the employee, and may also involve tax implications. Medical and dental benefits for a domestic partner are not eligible for the pre-tax deduction from the employee's wages. The internal revenue service has ruled that domestic partners cannot be considered a spouse for tax purposes. Thus, employers are obligated to report and withhold taxes on the fair market value of the domestic partner coverage. Fair market value of the domestic partner coverage is usually defined as the amount the employer contributes to a health plan to cover the domestic partner over and above the amount contributed for a single individual.

UHR will maintain information online, linked through http://www.ohio.edu/hr/benefits/, that indicates the fair market value under the various common circumstances, and that provides contact information for confirming the fair market value in any particular circumstance.

Flexible spending accounts are governed by IRS rules. According to those rules, an employee cannot be reimbursed through a flexible spending account for a domestic partner's health care expenses nor for the health care expenses of any children who are not children of the employee.

(1) Domestic partner and dependents

The domestic partner is eligible for support through the dual career network.

The following benefits are available to the domestic partner and his or her children, whether they are the employee's children, or not, on the same basis as the benefits would be available to the employee's spouse or children:

(a) Medical, dental, vision, dependent life insurance, and COBRA

(b) The educational benefit program

(c) Membership in and use of campus facilities

(d) Employee assistance program

(2) Leave

The employee may take leave based on the needs of the domestic partner and the domestic partner's immediate family (as defined in this policy), in addition to being able to take leave based on the needs of the employee's immediate family (as defined in the relevant policies, linked above) under the following categories:

(a) Sick and bereavement leave

(b) Family and medical leave

(E) Process

(1) In order for the domestic partner or children of domestic partners to qualify for coverage, or for the employee to take leave based on the needs of the domestic partner or the domestic partner's immediate family, the following forms need to be completed, and the required documentation sent to university human resources:

(a) Affidavit of domestic partnership, along with proof required of shared financial obligations.

(b) Domestic partner enrollment form

(2) To remove the domestic partner or children of domestic partners from benefits, complete the following form and return it to university human resources within thirty days of termination of the domestic partnership: statement of termination of domestic partnership

The version of this rule that includes live links to associated resources is online at

http://www.ohio.edu/policy/40-013.html

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 111.15
Amplifies: 111.15
Rule 3337-40-15 | Educational benefits for Ohio university employees.
 

(A) Overview

This policy provides for participation in the Ohio university educational benefits program. An active employee must be on the payroll by the first day of the semester. The program applies only to courses offered for credit by Ohio university.

(B) Eligibility

The following categories of employees are eligible for the benefits identified in this policy:

(1) Summary

(a) Full time and part time benefits eligible employees, excluding temporary and intermittent appointments, with:

(i) An employment period of greater than one hundred twenty days and an FTE level of 0.67 or greater; or

(ii) Part-time employees who were enrolled for benefits as of June 30, 2015.

(b) "Tenure track," "Instructional," "Visiting Professor," and "Clinical" faculty as defined by the "faculty handbook."

(c) Retired employees as defined in policy 41.090, disability retired employees, and employees that qualify under policy 41.015, or employees on approved leave.

(d) Collective bargaining employees should refer to their collective bargaining agreement.

(e) Members of paragraphs (A)(1)(a) and (A)(1)(b) of this policy, who are involuntarily terminated through reduction-in-force, job abolishment, or otherwise without cause between May 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020, shall be eligible for educational benefits set forth in policy 40.016 for qualified dependents admitted or enrolled as students at Ohio university as of the employee's termination date.

(f) Members of paragraphs (B)(1)(a) and (B)(1)(b) of this rule, who are involuntarily terminated through reduction-in-force, job abolishment, or otherwise without cause between May 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020, shall be eligible for educational benefits set forth in policy 40.016 for qualified dependents admitted or enrolled as students at Ohio university as of the employees termination date.

(2) Faculty and staff

Eligibility is determined by the following criteria:

(a) Full-time, benefits eligible employees are eligible for one hundred per cent of the instructional fees and one hundred per cent of the non-residency fees (when applicable).

(b) Part-time, benefits eligible, employees working at .67 of a full-time equivalent (FTE) or more, are eligible for one hundred per cent of the instructional fee and one hundred per cent of the non-residency fee (when applicable). An FTE of .66 or less will receive benefits (instructional and non-residency fees) pro-rated according to their FTE.

(3) Courses and fees

With supervisory approval, an active faculty or staff member may take, at most, one course per semester during regular working hours and one additional course during nonworking hours during periods of employment. An additional independent study class or weekend course may be added with the approval of the department head. Courses taken during the summer or other breaks are also limited by academic regulations and department responsibilities.

Faculty and staff must first satisfy employment demands; therefore, eligible active faculty and staff will not simultaneously be full-time students. Consequently, no more than eleven term hours of undergraduate courses and no more than eight term hours of graduate courses will be permitted per semester without approval from the appropriate department head, using the "Educational Benefits Request Form."

Class schedules shall normally be approved by the supervisor and time spent in class may be required to be made up.

It is the intention of this policy to encourage employees to further their education, and therefore, supervisors should attempt to assist employees, whenever possible, to take one course during working hours. However, there may be departmental demands that make this difficult in any one term, since position responsibilities take precedence over course work. Every effort should then be made to accommodate the course request in the subsequent term. Any supervisor or employee who cannot reach accommodation within this two-term period should refer the matter to the department head for consideration. If resolution cannot be reached at this level, the matter should be referred to the planning unit head for final resolution.

At the discretion of the department chair or head, a full tuition waiver may be granted for course work that is directly related to the employee's current position. A full fee waiver is granted on a course-by-course basis, not for an entire degree program.

No particular class standing is necessary for the original awarding of this benefit except that the student must meet the admission requirements.

Fee structures of the university are subject to change without notice at the university's discretion.

(C) Additional information

(1) Excluded programs and fees

Benefits under this policy shall not be applicable to, non-credit courses and workshops, audited courses, or courses and programs delivered with an outside vendor who has not agreed to waive applicable fees, or special course fees.

Any unit offering courses or programs to be delivered in partnership with an outside vendor shall promptly identify those courses or programs to university human resources (UHR), so that benefits will not be provided under this policy. UHR shall inform employees by ensuring that the information is available online, linked through https://www.ohio.edu/hr/benefits/education/.

Courses and programs that are unique in structure and fee arrangements will be identified by the sponsoring departments. Educational benefits for these programs are limited to the maximum full-time instructional fee rate allowed for a regular program.

(2) Application process

Requests for participation in the educational benefit program must be submitted each term by the employee on the "Educational Benefits Request Form." The form must be completed by the employee and signed by the appropriate authority as indicated on the form.

Last updated November 7, 2023 at 8:15 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3337.01
Amplifies: 3337.01
Prior Effective Dates: 6/20/2016
Rule 3337-40-16 | Educational benefits for qualified dependents.
 

The version of this rule that includes live links to associated resources is online at

https://www.ohio.edu/policy/40-016.html

(A) Overview

This policy provides for participation in the Ohio university educational benefits program by domestic partners, spouses, and children of benefits eligible employees who are active, on approved leave, retired, on disability retirement, laid-off, or deceased.

(B) Eligibility

For dependents of employees to receive benefits under this policy, they must meet the requirements in paragraphs (B)(1) ("Employees,") (B)(2), ("Dependents,") and (B)(3), ("Courses and Fees,") of this policy.

This policy does not apply to any dependent of an employee who is (or a retiree or deceased former employee whose final active employment by the university was) covered by a collective bargaining agreement. Please refer to the current bargaining agreement for your eligibility.

(1) Employees

Eligible employees are defined under policy 40.015, and active employees must be on the payroll by the first day of the academic term.

(2) Dependents

If an employee is affected by a reduction-in-force, qualified dependents remain eligible based on the employees eligibility, as defined in policy 41.015.

No particular class standing is necessary for the original awarding of this benefit except that the student must meet the admission requirements.

Qualified dependents are:

(a) Legally married spouse,

(b) Domestic partner (subject to policy 40.013),

(c) Biological, legally adopted, or legal guardianship children of the employee, employee's spouse, or employee's domestic partner.

(3) Courses and fees

The program applies only to courses offered for credit by Ohio university.

To receive the benefit, a dependent of an eligible employee does not need to be a full-time student and may take as many undergraduate or graduate courses as academically permissible.

The educational benefit represents one hundred per cent of the instructional fee and non-residency fee when applicable. These are pro-rated for qualified dependents of part-time employees, according to the employees full-time equivalency, as described for the employee in policy 40.015.

Benefits may be subject to withholding taxes under regulations of the internal revenue service. For more information, please see the link provided at https://www.ohio.edu/hr/benefits/education/.

Fee structures of the university are subject to change without notice at the university's discretion.

(C) Additional information

(1) Excluded programs and fees

Benefits under this policy shall not be applicable to non-credit courses and workshops, audited courses, or courses and programs delivered with an outside vendor who has not agreed to waive applicable fees, or special course fees.

Any unit offering courses or programs to be delivered in partnership with an outside vendor shall promptly identify those courses or programs to university human resources (UHR), so that benefits will not be provided under this policy. UHR shall inform employees by ensuring that the information is available online, linked through https://www.ohio.edu/hr/benefits/education/.

Courses and programs that are unique in structure and fee arrangements will be identified by the sponsoring departments. Educational benefits for these programs are limited to the maximum full-time instructional fee rate allowed for a regular program.

(2) Application process

Application by dependents for the educational benefit program must be submitted annually using the "Educational Benefits Request Form." The applicant and employee must each sign the completed form and return the signed form to UHR.

Application forms will be made available in April for the upcoming academic year. Dependents should submit an application as early as possible prior to the anticipated semester of enrollment in order to ensure the credit is applied correctly.

The version of this rule that includes live links to associated resources is online at

https://www.ohio.edu/policy/40-016.html

Last updated November 7, 2023 at 8:16 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3337.01
Amplifies: 3337.01
Prior Effective Dates: 6/27/2016
Rule 3337-40-23 | Organ donation leave.
 

(A) Overview

This policy establishes university policy and procedures for organ donation leave for full-time faculty and staff, pursuant to section 124.139 of the Revised Code.

Ohio university will grant an organ donation leave with pay to all full-time faculty and staff, including those covered under a collective bargaining agreement. For faculty, this policy applies only to the extent that no contrary provision is included in the "Faculty Handbook."

(B) Organ donation leave

(1) Application

When organ donation leave is anticipated, verbal notice should be given as far in advance as possible, followed by written documentation to include a "Request for Organ Donation Leave," indicating hours and dates of leave and including supporting medical certification from an appropriate health care provider.

(2) Leave provided

(a) All full-time employees who donate an adult kidney or any portion of an adult liver shall receive up to two hundred forty hours of leave with pay during each calendar year to use during those hours when the employee is absent from work due to the employee's donation.

(b) All full-time employees who donate adult bone marrow shall receive up to fifty-six hours of leave with pay during each calendar year to use during those hours when the employee is absent from work due to the employee's donation.

(c) The duration of leave for other types of organ donations will be decided on a case-by-case basis by the chief human resource officer, who will consult competent medical authority.

(3) Use

(a) Organ donation leave shall be exhausted prior to using any sick leave or vacation leave to continue recuperation from the organ donation.

(b) Organ donation leave shall run concurrently with other university leave programs (e.g., family medical leave). Organ donation could be considered a serious health condition under the family medical leave act, and therefore, providing the employee met the other family medical leave requirements, would be covered under the act.

(c) The employee using such organ donation leave shall be compensated at the employee's regular rate of pay for those regular work hours during which the employee is absent from work.

Last updated October 12, 2022 at 8:17 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3337.01
Amplifies: 3337.01
Rule 3337-40-24 | Emergency service leave.
 

(A) Overview

This policy establishes guidelines for the use of emergency service leave pursuant to division (G) of section 4765.01 and section 124.1310 of the Revised Code.

Ohio university will allow all full-time and part-time permanent employees paid emergency service leave. Bargaining unit employees covered under local 3200 Ohio council 8, American federation of state, county, and municipal employees (AFSCME), AFL-CIO should refer to their current contract for specifics of participation.

A university employee who volunteers as an emergency medical technician ("EMT") -- EMT-basic or EMT-1, first responder, paramedic, or volunteer firefighter, is to receive forty hours of leave with pay each calendar year to use during those hours when the employee is absent from work in order to provide emergency medical service or fire-fighting service. Part-time employees shall receive a prorated benefit (for example, a twenty-hour-a-week employee shall receive twenty hours of emergency service leave per year). If fewer than the allocated number of hours of emergency service leave is used in a calendar year, the remainder is not accumulated for use in any later year.

Compensation shall be at the employee's regular rate of pay for those regular work hours during which the employee is absent from work.

The employee must meet the certification requirements for holding a position as an EMT-basic, EMT-1, first responder, paramedic, or volunteer firefighter, and must establish eligibility for emergency leave by providing university human resources with a valid certification, submitted in accordance with the procedure described in paragraph (B) of this policy.

Leave under this policy may be used to provide emergency medical service or fire-fighting service without regard to location, including service in response to a distant natural disaster or terrorist incident.

(B) Verification of certification

A university employee who is a volunteer firefighter or volunteer provider of emergency medical services shall notify the university of the employee's status as a volunteer firefighter or volunteer provider of emergency services upon employment, or not later than thirty days after receiving certification as a volunteer firefighter or a volunteer provider of emergency services. The employee must submit written notification to university human resources using the "Annual Certification of Emergency Medical Services Status" form, signed by the chief of volunteer fire department service, or the medical director or chief administrator or the cooperating physician advisory board of the emergency medical organization with which the employee serves. This form shall be re-submitted annually before January first of each year. New employee orientation sessions will include notification to the employees of the availability of emergency service leave under this policy and of the requirements to submit written notification.

(C) Request for leave

Employees requesting or verifying paid emergency service leave must use the "Request for Emergency Service Leave" form as soon as practicable. Whenever an employee is absent from work due to the employee providing emergency medical or firefighting service, and the employee wishes to use emergency service leave, the absence must be verified by providing the employee's supervisor with a completed "Request for Emergency Service Leave" form. The supervisor will submit the completed form to university human resources.

(D) Department notification

If the call to provide emergency medical or firefighting service occurs when the employee is already at work, he or she will notify his or her supervisor before leaving (or follow standard departmental notification procedures for early departure, if one exists). If the call to provide emergency medical or firefighting service occurs when the employee is not at work, he or she will notify his or her supervisor (or follow standard departmental notification procedures for late arrival or absence, if one exists) as soon as possible after it becomes evident that late arrival or absence from scheduled work may be required in order to provide the emergency service. The employee should discuss in advance with his or her supervisor how to deal with any situation where it is impossible to follow the usual notification procedure while responding to an emergency situation. Supervisors should make reasonable accommodations in such situations, provided that the employee does notify the department as soon as possible.

(E) Leave substitution

Employees who previously scheduled an absence using other types of leave such as vacation, should not be permitted to use emergency service leave instead of the planned leave.

(F) Recovery of improperly paid benefits

The university may use all necessary steps to recover emergency service leave benefits paid in error or paid as a result of fraud, including adjustments to an employee's pay. An employee who knowingly engages in fraud may be subject to civil or criminal charges, in addition to discipline under the employee disciplinary process appropriate to the category of employment relationship. For further information, see:

(1) AFSCME 3200 "Collective Bargaining Agreement";

(2) Policy 41.012; and

(3) "Faculty Handbook, Section II, Part D" (specifically the sub-parts on termination of appointment and loss of tenure).

Last updated July 6, 2022 at 11:28 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3337.01
Amplifies: 3337.01
Prior Effective Dates: 7/7/2016
Rule 3337-40-25 | Jury duty and court leave.
 

The version of this rule that includes live links to associated resources is online at

https://www.ohio.edu/policy/40-025.html

(A) Overview

This policy provides for administering time off for all faculty and staff subpoenaed for jury duty or court appearances.

Ohio university employees will honor all lawful subpoenas. Employees will continue to receive full pay when they are subpoenaed to appear before any court, commission, board, or other legally constituted body authorized by law to compel the attendance of witnesses, including jury duty for the United States, the state of Ohio, or a political subdivision.

The provisions of this policy do not apply to those instances when an employee appears in court

(1) As the defendant in a criminal case;

(2) As a party to a civil action;

(3) As a result of secondary employment outside of the service of the state; or

(4) Without a subpoena having been issued.

(B) Process

When properly subpoenaed, an employee is required to provide reasonable, timely advance notice to his or her supervisor to request the necessary time off.

Employees may be excused from scheduled work assignments without loss of pay only for the period of reporting to and serving on a jury (or complying with a subpoena), including reasonable travel time.

Employees called to serve (or appear) whose assignments require them to work beyond eleven p.m. may, at management's discretion, be released from work with pay at eleven p.m. the evening before they are scheduled to appear in court, or alternatively, the affected employee's shift may be flexed or the employee may be temporarily transferred to a dayshift during the period of jury duty.

Employees called to serve (or appear) whose work schedule is completed prior to eleven p.m. will be released from work the day of their scheduled jury duty until the time they are released from their jury duty services.

An employee required to serve (or appear) for only a part of a day for jury duty is obliged to return to a scheduled work assignment promptly following dismissal by the court.

Any monies received for serving (or appearing) will be retained by the employee.

The version of this rule that includes live links to associated resources is online at

https://www.ohio.edu/policy/40-025.html

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 111.15
Amplifies: 111.15
Rule 3337-40-27 | Personal leave for administrative employees.
 

The version of this rule that includes live links to associated resources is online at

https://www.ohio.edu/policy/40-027.html

(A) Overview

This policy allows eligible administrative employees to convert three sick leave days to personal leave days each fiscal year. These personal leave days would provide administrative employees time which could be utilized to conduct personal business or deal with family matters that may need to be carried out during regular working hours.

(B) Eligibility

(1) Full-time and part-time administrative employees who accrue sick leave.

(2) A full-time employee, or a part-time employee who is more than 0.5 FTE, must have accrued fifteen days of sick leave as of the beginning of the fiscal year to be eligible to convert sick leave to personal leave.

(3) A part-time employee (less than or equal to 0.5 FTE) must have accrued 7.5 days of sick leave as of the beginning of the fiscal year to be eligible to convert sick leave to personal leave.

(C) Process

(1) Each July first, full-time administrative employees, and part-time administrative employees who are more than 0.5 FTE, with a minimum of fifteen days accrued sick leave, and part-time administrative employees who are 0.5 FTE or less, with a minimum of 7.5 days accrued sick leave, will be eligible to use three days of personal leave.

(2) Employees who use personal leave time will use the online absence management system to report that use.

(3) Personal leave may be used in minimum units of one hour.

The version of this rule that includes live links to associated resources is online at

https://www.ohio.edu/policy/40-027.html

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 111.15
Amplifies: 111.15
Rule 3337-40-28 | Personal days for classified employees.
 

(A) Overview

This policy establishes the procedures for employees to have the use of three sick leave days as personal days per year. This policy provides incentive for employees to accumulate sick leave hours for the purpose for which it is intended. This policy covers bargaining unit employees and any references to "classified employees" should be interpreted as bargaining unit employees. Bargaining unit employees covered under a collective bargaining agreement should refer to their current contract for specifics of participation.

Ohio university will grant eligible employees the right to use three sick leave days as personal days in recognition of the fact that some legal, private business, or family matters must be carried out during normal work hours.

Eligible employees must meet all of the following criteria:

(1) Full-time and part-time classified employees serving in a regular certified or provisional appointment.

(2) Classified employees will be eligible for personal leave during a fiscal year if they had a sick leave balance of at least one hundred twenty hours of accumulated sick leave for those assigned to eight hour shifts, or one hundred fifty hours of accumulated sick leave for those assigned to ten hour shifts, at the end of the last pay period of the prior fiscal year (this is the last pay period that does not include July first).

(3) Intermittent and temporary employees are not eligible.

(B) Notification

When an employee needs to use personal time, the employee is required to notify their immediate supervisor (or other designated person). Such notification should be made as soon as possible, but must be made no later than one-half hour after the employee's scheduled time to start work. If such notification is not made, the absence may be charged to leave without pay, except when emergency or other extenuating conditions make it impossible to give proper notice. Notification for personal time follows the same rules as for sick leave for classified employees; (see policy 40.030.)

(C) Process

(1) Eligibility to use personal leave will be on a fiscal year basis; university sick leave records will be used to determine accrued balances. Staff members who do not have a balance of one hundred twenty hours of sick leave, for those assigned to eight hours shifts, and one hundred fifty hours accumulated sick leave for those assigned to ten-hour shifts, will be ineligible to use personal leave until the beginning of a fiscal year in which their sick leave records confirm an eligible balance at the end of the last pay period of the prior fiscal year.

(2) Following the last pay period of the fiscal year, any unused personal leave will revert to sick leave. The resulting sick leave balance will then be evaluated to determine eligibility for the new fiscal year.

(3) At the start of the new fiscal year, twenty-four hours (for those individuals assigned to eight-hour shifts), or thirty hours (for those individuals assigned to ten-hour shifts), of sick leave will be converted to personal leave, for each staff member who qualifies.

(4) As the personal leave is requested and used, it is deducted from the personal leave balance.

(5) Personal leave may be charged in minimum units of one hour.

(6) Staff may use personal leave only for the days and hours for which they normally would have been scheduled to work, but not to include scheduled overtime.

(7) Personal leave may not be used to cover unexcused absences, or to make up time.

(8) The conversion of sick leave to personal leave and vice versa is on a one-to-one ratio.

(9) Personal leave may not be used to extend an employee's active pay status for the purpose of accruing overtime or compensatory time. It may not be used to extend an employee's date of resignation or retirement.

(10) Personal leave will be reported using the current university and departmental sick leave policies in place. Personal leave usage will not be a factor in attendance ratings unless procedures are not followed by the employee.

(11) Upon separation, all unused personal days shall revert back to sick leave.

(12) If the university declares financial exigency, all unused personal leave will revert to sick leave balances.

Last updated July 6, 2022 at 11:29 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3337.01
Amplifies: 3337.01
Prior Effective Dates: 7/8/2016
Rule 3337-40-29 | Sick and bereavement leave for faculty and administrative appointees.
 

The version of this rule that includes live links to associated resources is online at

https://www.ohio.edu/policy/40-029.html

(A) Overview

This policy provides for the accrual and use of sick and bereavement leave (often "sick leave" in the following) and the conversion and payment of unused sick leave at time of retirement or upon death of an employee.

Ohio university faculty and administrative presidential appointees may earn and accrue sick leave, which may be used for paid sick leave when necessary. Sick leave will typically be earned at the rate of 1.25 days for each month of service. Sick leave credit will be earned based on the appointment and employment type of the individual. There is no limit as to the amount of sick leave which may be accumulated. The procedures regarding usage, notification, and verification of sick leave are detailed below.

(B) Sick and bereavement leave

(1) Definition

Sick and bereavement leave is the authorized absence from duties due to:

(a) Personal illness, injury, or temporary disability.

(b) Exposure to contagious disease which could be communicated to other members of the university community, or

(c) Illness, injury, or death in the individual's immediate family. Immediate family is defined as: spouse, son, daughter, mother, father, brother, sister, grandparent, grandchild, father-in-law, mother-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, and a legal guardian or other person who stands in place of a parent (in loco parentis), plus domestic partners and the domestic partner's immediate family (see the discussions under "Definitions" and "Benefits" in policy 40.013, for details). Bereavement leave granted for a death in the immediate family shall not exceed five working days.

(d) Medical, dental, psychological, or optical examination or treatment of an employee or a member of his or her immediate family.

(2) Approval

Sick and bereavement leave is granted on the approval of the department chairperson or the supervisor to whom the individual reports; such a request should be made on the first day of absence or in advance, if possible. The individual, upon return to work, must complete a "Paid Time Off: Faculty and Staff Form." The university reserves the right to require the individual to:

(a) Furnish medical evidence of illness, including providing medical releases,

(b) Provide medical verification of ability to return to work,

(c) Provide other appropriate or necessary information, e.g. proof of medical care of family member, death of family member, etc.

(3) Usage

A consecutive period of sick leave includes all normally scheduled work days except holidays observed by the university during an employee's appointment period. No presidential appointee shall be charged with more than five sick leave days in any seven day period.

(C) Accumulation of sick leave benefit

(1) The benefit will accumulate at the rate of 1.25 days per calendar month or fifteen days per year for all full-time presidential appointments. (Full-time presidential appointee, for purposes of this policy, is defined as anyone holding a regular full-time nine-, ten-, eleven-, or twelve-month appointment.) Accrual of sick leave will be unlimited. Time spent on vacation, paid military leave, faculty fellowship leaves, paid professional leave, or sick leave will count toward accumulation of benefits. There will be no accumulation of benefits while on an unpaid leave of absence.

(2) Part-time faculty (groups I, II, and IV) and administrators (as defined in employee handbooks and in policy 41.010) are also eligible for sick leave accrual and usage. The monthly accrual shall be calculated on a prorata basis based on the individual's main appointment in effect for the month of accrual.

(3) An employee who transfers from one state or local Ohio public agency to another (Ohio public agency refers to governmental entities under the control of Ohio's state or local government), or who is reappointed or reinstated, will be credited with the unused balance of accumulated sick leave--up to the maximum of the sick leave accumulation permitted in the public agency to which the employee transfers and provided the time between separation and reappointment does not exceed ten years. Written proof of sick leave credits must be furnished by the department that the individual is leaving to the new department.

(4) The use of sick leave beyond an individual's accumulated balance is defined as an unauthorized absence. These individuals who are absent due to any of the reasons outlined in part (B)(1) of this policy, and who have exhausted their accumulated sick leave, will have their gross monthly salary reduced in proportion to the total duration of the unauthorized absence. The adjustment will be made by the payroll manager who will notify the appropriate dean or department head accordingly.

(D) Utilization of the benefit

The period covered by use of accumulated sick leave benefits is all consecutive normally scheduled university work days exclusive of the university's holidays during the period of sick leave. Usage of sick leave shall be recorded using the online absence management system.

(E) Retirement or death benefits for accumulated sick leave

(1) Conversion and payment of unused sick leave at retirement

An employee retiring with ten or more years of creditable state service may elect to be compensated for one-fourth of his or her accrued but unused sick leave not to exceed thirty days (equal to one-fourth of one hundred twenty days); election must be made no later than sixty days after the date of retirement. Payment will be based upon the employee's rate of pay at the time of regular or disability retirement. Such payment may be made only once to an employee and only to those employees who are on the active payroll of Ohio university at the time of retirement. The two mutually exclusive options are:

(a) To be paid for one-fourth their sick leave balance up to a maximum of thirty days, or

(b) To carry forward the total sick leave balance for future anticipated state employment. This option precludes any future payoff from Ohio university.

For purposes of determining the sick leave conversion, the following calculation shall be used. Individual faculty and administrators on full-time nine-, ten-, eleven-, or twelve-month appointments shall have their salary divided by the respective number of months they are under appointment. This monthly salary shall in turn be divided by twenty-two days to determine the per diem rate for calculating retirement benefits. Part-time faculty and administrators will have their sick leave pay-off calculated based on their total gross earnings for the most recent twelve-month period, three fiscal quarters, or two academic semesters, as appropriate.

The payment of the sick leave conversion under this policy will eliminate all sick leave credit of the faculty or administrative appointee at the time of retirement, and payment will be made only once to any individual. Sick leave conversion does not apply to any termination or separation other than retirement (or death in service, as described in part (E)(2) of this policy). An employee who returns to university service after retiring may accumulate and use sick leave as before, but may not convert the unused sick leave at the time of any subsequent separation.

(2) Conversion and payment of unused sick leave upon death.

In the event of the death of an employee with ten or more years of creditable state service, one-fourth of the employee's accrued but unused sick leave, not to exceed thirty days (equal to one-fourth of one hundred twenty days), will be paid to the employee's survivors or to the employee's estate in accordance with the Revised Code. The amount of the payment will be calculated as described in part (E)(1) of this policy.

The version of this rule that includes live links to associated resources is online at

https://www.ohio.edu/policy/40-029.html

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 111.15
Amplifies: 111.15
Rule 3337-40-32 | Workers' compensation and occupational health management.
 

The version of this rule that includes live links to associated resources is online at

https://www.ohio.edu/policy/40-032.html

(A) Overview

This policy establishes the methods by which the university will manage workers' compensation and occupational health issues.

Ohio university conforms to the state of Ohio workers' compensation laws; all employees are protected by these laws. These laws provide a system for compensating employees who suffer injury or occupational disease in the course and scope of their employment at Ohio university.

(B) Claim reporting

(1) All work-related injuries must be reported to the supervisor immediately. (In non-emergency situations, prior to seeking medical treatment).

(2) Upon report of injury, the employee will be provided instruction on the university's workers' compensation management policy, provided a claim report kit, and directed to seek medical treatment if necessary.

(C) Medical treatment

(1) If minor first aid attention is required, treatment should be administered at the employee worksite and the employee should return to work.

(2) If non-emergency medical attention is required, the employee will be directed to the university's medical care provider. The employee will have the option to select his or her own treating physician upon request, but should be informed that medical-care-expense payments may be limited or zero if the provider is not certified.

(3) Emergency treatment: If emergency care or treatment are required, the employee will be directed to the nearest hospital emergency room. If follow-up treatment is recommended, the employee will be referred to the preferred provider or the employee's treating provider. Work restrictions or time off work recommended by the emergency provider will be in effect only until the next business day or until an immediate follow-up is scheduled with the university's preferred provider or employee's treating provider.

(4) Results reporting: The employee is required to return the following treatment results, treatment plan and return-to work recommendations to the university immediately upon discharge or the next business day:

(a) Injury diagnosis,

(b) Treatment or rehabilitation recovery plan,

(c) Estimated return to full-duty date,

(d) If work restrictions or time off work are recommended, a completed copy of a "Physician's Report of Work Ability (MEDCO-14)," or equivalent.

(5) Post-mishap drug testing: Injured workers seeking medical treatment may be required to submit a "for cause" drug test no later than 8 hours after the incident. The employee may be disciplined, up to and including termination, in the event of a positive drug test or refusal to test.

(D) Claim determination

Upon review of the reported claim information, Ohio university will determine if the claim is allowed or denied as a workers' compensation claim. The injured worker will be notified of this determination via a mailed letter.

(1) Allowed claim: The employer will pay all eligible, related medical expenses and lost-time compensation.

(2) Denied claim: The employee will be responsible for medical expenses, and will be compensated for lost time only through available personal, sick, or vacation leave.

(E) Disability management

(1) Upon the request of an employee for time off work or work restrictions related to their certified work-related injury, Ohio university will make every reasonable effort to accommodate the recovery period through the disability management program.

(2) Employees with temporary medical restrictions who are medically approved to work are expected to work and contribute to the university to the extent possible.

(3) Employees with extended time off work and or work restrictions due to their certified workers' compensation claim will be enrolled in the temporary restricted duty program.

(4) Temporary restricted duty job offers will be considered on an individual claim basis approved by the treating physician and must show progress to a reasonable full-duty return-to-work date.

(5) Employees who do not comply with a temporary restricted duty job offer can jeopardize their workers' compensation benefits.

The version of this rule that includes live links to associated resources is online at

https://www.ohio.edu/policy/40-032.html

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 111.15
Amplifies: 111.15
Rule 3337-40-35 | Vacation leave donation.
 

(A) Overview

Eligible administrative staff and faculty may participate in a vacation leave donation program. Vacation leave may be donated to a "leave pool" (pool). Donated vacation time will be converted to sick leave and administered as outlined in this policy. This pool will be used to provide leave to individuals in need of sick time for personal use or to care for a family member.

(B) Donation guidelines

(1) Donor eligibility

Administrative staff and faculty eligible for health related benefits as designated by policy 41.010 may donate vacation time to the sick leave pool.

(2) Donation information

(a) Donors must retain a balance of eighty vacation hours after a donation is made.

(b) Donations are to be made in eight-hour increments. Donations from the pool to a recipient of less than eight hours will be permitted if a full donation of eight hours would result in the recipient exceeding the fiscal year twenty-day (one-hundred and sixty hour) recipient limit, or an equivalent amount pro-rated based upon percent full time equivalent (FTE) for part time employees.

(c) Other than the donation limits listed above or recipient limits in this policy, there is no maximum or cap on donations to the pool.

(3) Donations to the pool

(a) Donations to the pool will be solicited at least one time per fiscal year. Donations to the pool can only be made during an official solicitation period.

(b) Only "university human resources" (UHR) should solicit donations to the pool.

(C) Recipient guidelines

(1) Recipient eligibility

Administrative staff, and faculty eligible for health related benefits as designated by policy 41.010 may receive donated time per the following guidelines:

(a) Recipients are eligible to receive donations from the pool beginning twelve months after their hire date. Recipients on unpaid leave when reaching this eligibility rule are not eligible to receive a donation.

(b) The recipient must have or will exhaust all other paid time off before receiving donated time.

(c) A physician has certified on the recipient request form that the employee has an impairment that is or will be present for more than ten consecutive working days. (Issues that result in the need for intermittent time off are not eligible for donations.)

(2) Times received

(a) Recipients may receive no more than twenty cumulative days (one-hundred sixty hours) of donated leave time from the pool in a fiscal year. A recipient will not be eligible to receive subsequent donations until one year elapsed from when the prior donation was received.

(b) Time received will be converted to sick leave time and added to the recipient's sick leave accrual.

(c) The recipient retains all donated time. A recipient who recovers more quickly than expected, for example, will not have to return any donated time.

(d) Any employee who received a sick leave donation will have the time deducted from their sick leave balance when determining eligibility for a sick leave payout at retirement.

(D) Use of time

Donated time may be used for the employee's own personal medical need or to care for a family member's medical need, as defined by the university sick leave policy.

(E) Donating time

(1) Soliciting donations

Individuals and departments may not solicit donations. UHR will solicit donations for the pool at least one time per fiscal year, or as needed.

(2) Making donations

Time will be donated via use of the vacation leave donation form.

(3) Applying for donated time

Time will be requested via use of the vacation leave donation recipient request form.

(F) Confidentiality

The university will make every effort to maintain the confidentiality of donors and recipients as allowed by state of Ohio public records rules.

(G) General and departmental information

(1) UHR will review and approve all requests to donate and receive time.

(2) UHR will verify eligibility of a donor or recipient and modify accruals appropriately. In instances where a donation to an individual will exceed the twenty day (one-hundred and sixty hour) fiscal year limit, UHR will process donations up to the limit only.

(3) Generally, departments and/or supervisors should not prevent an employee from using donated time. Departments or supervisors with concerns regarding use/abuse of sick leave should consult with UHR.

(4) Each July first all time in the pool will be eliminated and new donations will be sought. Eliminated time will not be refunded to donors.

(5) Donations from the pool are made on a "first-requested-first-served" basis.

(6) If the pool has inadequate donated time, UHR will solicit donations. If donated time is not available, donations from the pool will not be made. The pool cannot have a negative balance.

(7) Time is donated and not pay/funding.

(8) The recipient's department does not receive funding for the donated time.

Last updated July 6, 2022 at 11:29 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3337.01
Amplifies: 3337.01
Rule 3337-40-37 | Rehiring of retired administrative and classified employees.
 

The version of this rule that includes live links to associated resources is online at

https://www.ohio.edu/policy/40-037.html

(A) Overview

Generally, the university does not support the rehiring of retired administrative and classified employees into full-time or part-time permanent benefits-eligible positions. The exception is the rehire of a retiree who is critical to the university's ability to achieve its mission.

(B) Process

Employees who may be rehired should first consult the information about re-employment that is provided by their retirement system, checking particularly for possible impact on retiree health care benefits. The following links provide starting points appropriate for the majority of Ohio university retirees:

(1) For OPERS https://www.opers.org/retirees/re-employment/index.shtml

(2) For STRS https://www.strsoh.org/duringcareer/_dc/preparingretirement/reemployment.html

If a planning unit head believes that the rehiring of an Ohio university retiree is critical to achieving the university's mission, the planning unit head may take such rehire request to the chief human resource officer. If the chief human resource officer concurs with the request, he or she will send the request to the president. The president will make the final hiring decision.

The version of this rule that includes live links to associated resources is online at

https://www.ohio.edu/policy/40-037.html

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 111.15
Amplifies: 111.15
Rule 3337-40-40 | Job classification system.
 

(A) Overview

This policy serves to outline policy, procedures, and responsibilities for the administration of the Ohio university job classification plan pertaining to classified and administrative employees of Ohio university.

University human resources (UHR) is responsible for classifying all positions based on specifications and job descriptions developed for each position (see section 124.14 of the Revised Code). UHR will apply consistent and objective criteria to the analysis of all positions and will cross-compare and verify data from classified employees, supervisors, and department heads.

The classification of all positions is based upon duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills, minimum requirements of education, certification, or licensure, physical requirements, and reporting relationships inherent in a given position. Position classifications are assigned germane titles and are placed in functional groupings, which illustrate the job framework and opportunities for professional growth and development.

(B) Position review and audit

(1) Vacant or new position

When a new position is developed, or if substantial changes are made in an open (unfilled) position, the supervisor or planning unit head should complete a "Position Description Questionnaire" and forward it to UHR for review and classification. The position will be reviewed and a written summary of findings forwarded to the appropriate planning unit representative for final determination of the appropriate classification.

(2) Administrative position (incumbent)

If an employee and the department (supervisor with support from the planning unit) determine that a position has changed substantially (more than thirty per cent) and in such a way that it may impact the mapping of the position to the job framework, a revised "Position Description Questionnaire" should be completed and submitted to UHR for review. Job changes are not defined by incremental changes in job tasks, but rather determined by whether the job has changed with regards to the scope, impact, and complexity of the duties. Typically, additional duties assumed within the same level of scope, impact, and complexity do not warrant a position evaluation or job change.

UHR may also initiate an audit. The planning unit will work with the incumbent employee to complete the "Position Description Questionnaire," and submit the information to UHR. An audit may not be requested more often than once a year. A year is defined as a period beginning twelve months from the date of the last audit determination. An exception may be made to this twelve-month rule if significant documentation can be provided, showing that the duties of the position have been substantially changed since the date of the completion of the previous audit.

A UHR analyst will conduct a review of the position, interviewing the employee or the immediate supervisor as necessary, and conferring with the planning unit head and any other persons as deemed necessary. The analyst will complete a written summary of findings and render a recommendation to the appropriate planning unit representative.

Based on whether the duties and responsibilities, required skills, or organizational level of a position have remained essentially constant, substantially decreased, or substantially increased, a position audit may result in no change in the mapping of the position, a change in mapping to a lower rated position, or a change in mapping to a higher rated position.

UHR will determine the appropriate mapping based on the audit findings, and will inform the department of that determination, in writing, within thirty calendar days after the analyst has completed the review. The information provided to the department at that time will include the audit results, with supporting rationale.

(C) Action for position changes

If a position is reclassified by UHR to a lower-rated position, the effective date for the new classification, and any pay rate change, will be as described in the "Pay Administration Guidelines."

If a position is reclassified by UHR to a higher-rated position, it becomes the responsibility of the incumbent's planning unit head to determine operationally whether or not the higher-level position should be added to the table of organization. If it is determined that the higher-level position should not be added, the higher-level duties will be removed from the position's responsibilities. The incumbent employee shall receive the higher-level pay retroactively for the lesser of the following two durations:

(1) One year; or

(2) The period of time between the date the audit request was received by UHR and the date the higher level duties were removed from the job.

The incumbent employee's pay would then continue at the original classification rate.

If it is determined that the higher level position should be added, the reclassification, and new pay rate, becomes effective, retroactively, as described in the "Pay Administration Guidelines."

(D) Classification review and appeal

(1) General information

The incumbent employee may request an internal review or appeal of the audit decision. Requests for review must be submitted on a completed "Classification Appeal" form. The appeal form must be submitted to the UHR liaison for the employee's unit within fifteen days of the date of the audit decision.

Nothing in this policy shall limit or restrict the employee's appeal rights under the Revised Code.

(2) Administrative employees

Administrative (unclassified) employees may appeal audit decisions to the CHRO. Administrative (unclassified) employees may also appeal audit decisions to the office of equity and civil rights compliance, but only if their appeal is based on equity concerns.

Last updated July 6, 2022 at 11:29 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3337.01
Amplifies: 3337.01
Prior Effective Dates: 6/20/2016
Rule 3337-40-45 | Separations of classified employees.
 

(A) Overview

This policy provides specific guidelines for initiating, processing, and implementing separations and reinstatements of classified employees.

It is the responsibility of the department head to notify university human resources of all separations involving classified personnel. Such notifications should be in writing and should be given with as much notice in advance of the separation date as possible.

(B) Separations

All separations are to be recorded in writing, as described in this policy for each type of separation.

Any employee who has been separated from the university must not work after the effective date of separation.

These procedures apply to the following types of separations:

(1) Resignations

(a) Any employee resigning from the university shall notify their supervisor or planning unit head at the earliest opportunity. Failure to provide two weeks notice of resignation may jeopardize the employee's standing. An employee who verbally resigns, and who fails to submit a written resignation, and who is absent from work without authorization, shall be deemed to have resigned on the date of verbal resignation.

(b) Resignations are irrevocable, except by mutual agreement of university human resources and the planning unit.

(c) The final pay will be processed at the normal date for the pay period that includes the employee's last working day, if payroll received timely notice. If the employee is eligible for vacation pay, the employee will receive the vacation pay as a lump sum payment one pay period after receiving pay for their final wages, in accordance with policy 41.001; see also policies 40.030 and 40.031.

(2) Job abandonment

Any employee in the classified service who is absent from duty habitually or for three or more successive duty days, without leave and without approval by the employee;s appointing authority for such absence may be subject to removal for neglect of duty.

This rule does not require an appointing authority to initiate removal action if it is determined to be unwarranted nor does it preclude removal action for a shorter period of absence if the absence is of sufficient seriousness. The determination as to what constitutes a serious situation shall be made by the appointing authority. The employing department head must notify the chief human resource officer in writing as soon as it is evident that the employee has abandoned their job. The employee will be dismissed "for cause."

(3) Retirements

See also policy 41.090

(a) Employees who meet the eligibility requirements and wish to retire should notify their department as soon as feasible. Employees should complete the "retirement separation form" and submit it to university human resources in advance of retirement.

(b) All retirements are effective on the first day of the month immediately following the last day for which an employee is paid.

(c) An employee who is retiring must not work or turn in any compensable hours after the last day of the month prior to the retirement effective date. Returning retirees must seek the advice and counsel of university human resources, and the department must follow policy 40.037.

Last updated July 6, 2022 at 11:30 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3337.01
Amplifies: 3337.01
Rule 3337-40-49 | Overtime for non-exempt employees.
 

The version of this rule that includes live links to associated resources is online at

https://www.ohio.edu/policy/40-049.html

(A) Overview

This policy ensures uniformity in awarding of overtime compensation.

All employees in non-exempt classifications are entitled to overtime compensation. The payment of overtime is governed by the Fair Labor Standards Act. All overtime must be authorized by the supervisor or department head or chair, in advance of work being performed, except in cases of emergency. Bargaining unit employees covered under a collective bargaining agreement should refer to their current contract for specifics of participation.

(B) Process

Employees in job classifications identified as non-exempt from overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act are entitled to overtime compensation for all hours in active pay status in excess of forty in any calendar week. For purposes of this policy "active pay status" is defined as all hours worked or approved as paid leave. Vacation, sick leave, holidays, and compensatory time off are included in the calculation of active pay status hours. Hours worked on a holiday are not counted in determining hours on active pay status for overtime purposes since these hours are already compensated at the premium rate of time and one half. (See policy 41.125.)

Overtime compensation is paid at the premium rate of one and one-half times an employee's total hourly rate of pay. The total hourly rate includes the base rate of pay plus any pay supplements. Overtime hours are reported on the employee's time report for the pay period in which they were earned, unless the employee elects to receive compensatory time off in lieu of cash payment.

Temporary hourly, non-exempt employees are not eligible to receive compensatory time off in lieu of overtime pay. Other hourly, non-exempt employees may elect to receive compensatory time off in lieu of overtime pay. Such compensatory time is also awarded at the premium rate of one and one-half hours of time off for each hour of overtime. A maximum accrual of four hundred eighty hours is permitted for intermittent employees; a maximum accrual of two hundred forty hours of compensatory time is permitted for other employees. When the maximum hours of compensatory time accrual is reached, compensation for overtime shall be made in cash.

Compensatory time cannot be accrued until the total hours for the week exceed forty. The number of hours requested to be accrued must not exceed the number of overtime hours worked during that week.

Use of compensatory time off must be scheduled with supervisory approval, and the time must be used within one hundred eighty days from the date it is earned. If arrangements cannot be made to take the compensatory time off within the one hundred eighty-day period, such compensatory time will then be paid in cash. University human resources shall post online, and make available via paper upon request, the processes for staff to elect and to use compensatory time.

If an employee terminates employment or transfers to another department, the compensatory time balance must be paid at the time of termination or transfer. Such cash payment shall be paid at a rate which is the higher of:

(1) The final regular total hourly rate; or

(2) The average regular total hourly rate received during the last three years of employment.

Last updated October 12, 2022 at 8:18 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3337.01
Amplifies: 3337.01
Rule 3337-40-50 | Payroll time reporting for hourly employees.
 

(A) Purpose

To establish guidelines for payroll time reporting for hourly employees including student employees who are paid hourly. Bargaining unit employees covered under a collective bargaining agreement should refer to their current contract for specifics of participation.

(B) Policy

When reporting hours worked to the payroll office, the guidelines stated in the procedures section, immediately below must be observed.

(C) Procedures

(1) Start and stop times

(a) Start and stop times must accurately reflect the time the employee actually began and ended work (as opposed the time the employee may have arrived at or left the premises).

(b) Hours may not be reported when an employee is on leave of absence.

(c) Supervisory approval is needed before submission of hours to payroll.

(d) Student employees are compensated for actual time worked. Payment is not made for sick time, holidays, vacation, or other time off. In accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act, the times in and out must be the actual starting and quitting times.

(e) All hourly employees are paid on a biweekly basis.

(2) Overtime

(a) Overtime hours are calculated on a weekly basis only and will be paid on that basis.

(b) Overtime hours are calculated by subtracting forty from the sum total of weekly hours worked, vacation hours, sick hours, holiday hours, and other hours.

(3) See also policy 40.025, "Jury duty and court leave."

Last updated September 28, 2022 at 8:41 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3337.01
Amplifies: 3337.01
Rule 3337-40-51 | Compensation of classified and administrative employees during declared emergency.
 

(A) Overview

This policy provides guidance for declaring an emergency university closing, early release, or delay and establishes guidelines for the compensation of classified and administrative employees during an emergency. This includes administrative hourly, administrative salary, and classified bargaining unit employees. Bargaining unit employees covered under a collective bargaining agreement should refer to their current contract or specifics of participation.

This policy does not apply to student employees at Ohio university.

Only the president of Ohio university (or their designated representative) has the authority to declare an emergency, close or delay the university, or cancel classes for the main campus, regional campuses, or regional teaching sites of Ohio university.

Emergency closings announced by other agencies, such as Ohio government offices, local city and county officials, etc., do not apply to Ohio university employees. However, the president, or their designee, will close the university and cancel classes for a campus whenever the campus county sheriff's department declares a level III snow emergency for that county.

Communication of a declared emergency will be released through university communications and marketing. Closing and opening times for the impacted campus(es) will be announced through all media, the "OHIO" home page, and "OHIO" alert.

In a declared emergency, certain employees may be required to work to provide essential services for the impacted campus(es). These essential service employees will be designated and contracted by their department heads or supervisors and will be assigned to work schedules as required by the emergency situation.

Employees who have not been designated as essential service employees. but are scheduled to work, will not be required to work during a declared emergency unless they are assigned and work a one hundred per cent remote appointment.

During a declared emergency, employees should not report to and be on campus unless they have been designated as essential service employees by their supervisors and asked to report to work.

When the university is not closed, employees are expected to report to work, or call in, if the inclement weather prevents travel. Employees will be expected to use personal leave or vacation time for those occasions when they must miss scheduled work.

(B) Compensation

Once a declared emergency occurs, employees on site who are not designated as essential service employees are sent home and will be paid at their regular rate from the time of the declared emergency until the end of their regularly-scheduled shift. Employees working remotely, other than those assigned to a one hundred per cent remote appointment, who are not designated as essential service employees, will be paid at their regular rate from the time of the declared emergency until the end of their regularly scheduled-shift.

Essential service employees who are required to work during a declared emergency, but are unable to report to work, must notify their supervisor and may be paid at their regular rate for any hours they normally would have been scheduled to work.

Essential service employees paid on an hourly basis who are required to work during a declared emergency will be paid at their regular rate and, in addition, will be paid at their overtime rate for any hours actually worked (one hour regular pay plus one hour of overtime pay at 1.5 times regular rate equals 2.5 times regular rate during a declared emergency).

Salaried employees, other than those assigned to a one hundred per cent remote appointment, who are required to work during a declared emergency will receive their regular salary and will be granted the equivalent time off at a mutually agreeable time between the employee and their supervisor, to be used by the end of the fiscal year.

Those assigned to a one hundred per cent remote appointment, who are scheduled to work, will be paid their regular rate of pay.

During a declared emergency, employees may need to work extra shifts, different times of day on different days, etc. Therefore, the total rate of pay for an hourly employee will be used to determine all overtime pay (i.e., shift differential would not apply during an emergency if an employee does not normally receive it in their total rate but would receive it if it is a part of their normal total rate).

The option of receiving overtime pay or compensatory time off at the time and one-half rate will apply, consistent with departmental policies. Only hours worked in excess of forty can be banked as compensatory time. Using the two pay codes below the pay premium for working during a declared emergency, but does not always result in actual overtime worked.

For hourly employees, any hours worked on-site during a declared emergency should be reported on the time sheets as "emergency worked" (entered as time in and out) and "emergency closure" (entered as a total amount of time similar to paid time off (PTO)).

Any hours scheduled but not worked during a declared emergency should be reported on the time sheet as "emergency closure." Employees who are on travel status during a declared emergency shall receive their normal rate of pay only.

Employees who are on approved leave of absence, seasonal or indefinite layoff, or any other inactive pay status are not eligible for compensation during a declared emergency.

Last updated March 20, 2024 at 8:59 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3337.01
Amplifies: 3337.01
Prior Effective Dates: 7/16/2016
Rule 3337-40-54 | Family and medical leave.
 

(A) Overview

The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) became effective August 5, 1993, and applies to Ohio university and its employees. This law is intended to define the rights and responsibilities of the employee and the university related to entitlement to leave, maintenance of health benefits during leave, and job restoration after leave. The law sets forth requirements for notice and certification of the need for FMLA leave. It protects Ohio university employees who request or take FMLA leave, and it imposes certain record keeping requirements on Ohio university.

The purpose of this policy is to publish information about university and employee rights and obligations under the FMLA.

Ohio university will comply with the requirements of the FMLA and will assist its employees in balancing their work and family life by taking reasonable leaves for certain family and medical reasons.

(B) Process

In order to manage and enforce the comprehensive requirements of the FMLA, the university has published a manual entitled "Guidelines for Management and Enforcement of Rights and Responsibilities Under the Family Medical Leave Act," which is online, linked from https://www.ohio.edu/hr/benefits/loa.cfm. University human resources will maintain this manual based on legal counsel and case law precedents, conforming to any changes in the law or applicable regulations, and accurately reflecting actual practice.

The manual addresses the substantive and procedural rights and responsibilities of individual employees and of the various units within the university under the FMLA. A copy will be available at the Ohio university library in the reference department. Upon request, university human resources will provide employees with a printed copy of the FMLA manual at no charge to the employee. Employees may also obtain a copy of the manual or portions thereof from the FMLA web site linked in this policy.

Individual administrative departments are responsible for complying with the management and record keeping requirements of the FMLA, with assistance from university human resources. Other leaves of absence may be available to the employee upon exhaustion of their leave under the FMLA (see policy 41.128). Bargaining unit employees covered under a collective bargaining agreement should refer to their contract for specifics of participation.

Last updated October 12, 2022 at 8:18 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3337.01
Amplifies: 3337.01
Rule 3337-40-56 | Voluntary short-term FTE reduction for administrators.
 

The version of this rule that includes live links to associated resources is online at

https://www.ohio.edu/policy/40-056.html

(A) Overview

Planning units and departments can address short-term budget concerns while fulfilling scheduling needs of their full-time contract administrative staff by offering a voluntary short-term full time equivalent (FTE) reduction. The program objectives are:

(1) To offer employees an option of greater workplace flexibility to meet their personal needs.

(2) To offer departments a short-term budget reduction option.

(3) To allow adjustment of staffing to predicted workload variations.

Employees may arrange with their supervisors, department heads, and planning unit heads for a voluntary, short-term reduction in the employee's position FTE. Review of these arrangements by university human resources (UHR) will include examination of their voluntary nature.

(B) Process

Voluntary short-term FTE reduction occurs according to the following process:

(1) Employee requests FTE reduction from immediate supervisor (see part (D)(1) of this policy).

(2) Immediate supervisor, department head, and employee clarify terms of reduction and complete the "Voluntary Short-term Reduction Form." This may include specification of the minimum notice for early cancellation; if not specified, it defaults to two weeks; see part (B)(9) of this policy.

(3) Department head evaluates operating needs, service levels, and other FTE reduction requests from within the department (see part (D)(2) of this policy).

(4) Department head forwards request(s) with recommendations to planning unit head for approval or disapproval.

(5) Planning unit head informs the department head and employee of the decision (see parts (D)(3) to (D)(6) of this policy), including any modifications of the duration and vacation accrual described in the submitted "Voluntary Short-term Reduction Form."

(6) The employee confirms in writing his or her acceptance of the FTE reduction as approved.

(7) Department head processes approved FTE reductions with UHR and payroll services.

(8) Approved reductions are short-term reductions with a duration as specified in the submitted "Voluntary Short-term Reduction Form," unless modified by the planning unit head at the time of approval.

(9) The department may cancel the reduction based on the needs of the university or department. The employee may also cancel the reduction. Such cancellation by the department or employee takes effect two weeks after notice is given, unless a different date is mutually agreed upon, or a different minimum notice was specified under part (B)(2) of this policy.

(C) Compensation and benefits

The following apply to short-term reductions:

(1) Pay: will be reduced and pro-rated in accordance with the FTE reduction.

(2) Health insurance: There will be no change in the health insurance coverage or premium.

(3) Payroll deductions: The employee will need to arrange (with UHR) for direct payments for those months, if any, when pay is zero or so small that no payroll deduction takes place. This applies to health insurance and other payroll deductions.

(4) Vacation accrual: For the duration of this short-term FTE reduction, the vacation accrual will be adjusted. If the employee works forty-hour weeks for a reduced number of months per year, vacation will accrue at the regular two days per month rate:

(a) Eleven months - earn up to twenty days per year

(b) Ten months - earn up to eighteen days per year

(c) Nine months - earn up to sixteen days.

If the employee works fewer hours per week, vacation will accrue on a pro-rated basis, as specified in the submitted "Voluntary Short-term Reduction Form," unless modified by the planning unit head at the time of approval.

These vacation accrual schedules are an exception to policy 41.010.

(5) Education benefits: no change.

(6) Retirement: OPERS retirement credit will be earned for every month worked. To receive credit for a month, the employee must earn a minimum of two hundred fifty dollars and be on active pay status (includes time worked, vacation, sick, and personal-time pay) during that month.

(7) Sick time accrual: no change (see policy 40.029).

(8) Twelve-month pay plan: During their short-term FTE reduction, employees may choose to receive their pay in twenty-four equal semi-monthly amounts, as described in policy 41.007.

(D) Notes

(1) The reduction can be in many forms, examples of which include:

(a) Reduced days per week.

(b) Reduced weeks per month.

(c) Reduced months per year (OPERS credit is only available for months worked; contact UHR for advice and counsel).

(2) Department heads and planning unit heads must consider the operating needs of their units and all requests from other employees to determine what should be approved. Requests from other employees and service impact will influence the planning unit head's decision to accept, alter, or deny any requests.

(3) Savings accrued from the FTE reductions will be used at the discretion of the planning unit head to meet short-term budget shortfalls.

(4) Approval of the reduction does not reduce the authorized FTE strength of the planning unit.

(5) The reduction can be extended by mutual consent. A new "Voluntary Short-term Reduction Form" should be completed and the process of part (B) of this policy, followed. All documentation must be forward to payroll services and UHR's records department.

(6) If a "permanent reduction" is later mutually agreed upon, the department and employee will officially change and adjust the FTE of the position, as governed by separate guidelines available from the provost's office.

The version of this rule that includes live links to associated resources is online at

https://www.ohio.edu/policy/40-056.html

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 111.15
Amplifies: 111.15
Rule 3337-40-57 | Research appointments.
 

(A) Overview

This policy establishes a "research" category of employees at Ohio university, delineates the terms and conditions of research appointments, and ensures consistent treatment of these employees.

Under the section 124.11 of the Revised Code, positions and employees involved in research are considered "unclassified" employees. Ohio university defines research employees as non-faculty, non-student employees who are externally funded, and who predominantly conduct or support experimental, applied, or theoretical research work in a particular discipline.

Appointments as research faculty (e.g., assistant research professor, associate research professor, or research professor) are governed by policy 01.015 and the "Faculty Handbook."

In the absence of an exception formally granted in accordance with policy 01.003, this policy applies to all research employees whose positions are funded more than fifty per cent from any combination of the following sources:

(1) Startup funds for new faculty (oracle financials accounts with project code prefix "SU")

(2) Research incentive funds (oracle financials accounts with project code prefix "RI)

(3) Restricted account (e.g., grants and contracts)

(4) Internal awards -- often used for postdocs, this includes 1804 fund research grants (oracle financials accounts with project code prefix "IA").

(5) Foundation accounts (oracle financials accounts with project code prefix "FN")

Any position otherwise falling under policy 40.058 can be designated a research position on the basis of its funding source. As appointing authority, the chief human resource officer will make final determinations regarding research designation. For example, a new, one hundred per-cent-grant-funded position determined to be an administrative assistant could be designated as research, and terms and conditions of appointment would adhere to this policy.

(B) Process

Unless otherwise noted, research administrative hourly employees will follow existing compensation and benefits policies for administrators.

Research employees are considered special appointments, as described in policy 40.106.

Policies 41.013 and 41.012 do not apply to research employees. Employment for research employees is considered "employment at will," and is at the discretion of the employing authority. The university can terminate the appointment at any time. Written notice of termination will be provided at least two weeks in advance of the anticipated termination date, if circumstances permit.

(C) Research employment categories

Research employees can be administrative salaried or hourly. Appointments can be regular (nine- to twelve-month employment period), or term (less than nine-month employment period), as follows:

Research administrator employee may hold positions meeting any of these three descriptions:

(1) Full-time regular research administrator: forty hours per week; nine- to twelve-month employment period.

(2) Part-time regular research administrator: less than forty hours per week; nine- to twelve-month employment period.

(3) Term research administrator: zero to forty hours per week; zero- to eight-month employment period.

(D) Compensation and benefits

This chart indicates the pay type, pay rate determination method, and applicability of various benefits for each category of research employee. A "Y" indicates that the benefit or compensation on that row does apply to employees of that column.

Unless otherwise noted, research administrators will follow existing compensation and benefits policies for administrators; and, with the obvious exceptions of the first four rows of this table, the table applies to both research administrative hourly and salaried appointments.

Applicability of benefits and compensation by research employment type

Compensation and benefits Full-time regular part-time regular term
Research administrator pay salaried/hourlysalaried/hourly salaried/hourly
Research administrator pay determination will mirror administrative pay plan (see policy 40.058)
Health and life insurance YY
Educational benefits YY
Sick leaveYY
Sick payout YY
Vacation leaveYY
Vacation payoutYY
UnemploymentYYY
Workers compensationYYY
HolidaysYYY
Medical leaveYYFMLA only
Disability leave YY
Personal leave YY
Performance evaluationYYInformal
Annual pay raise Hourly: standard formula. Salaried: merit-based. Both: budget allowingHourly: standard formula. Salaried: merit-based. Both: budget allowingHourly: standard formula. Salaried: merit-based. Both: budget allowing
Employment processOnlineOnlineOnline
Retirement YYY

Last updated July 6, 2022 at 11:31 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3337.01
Amplifies: 3337.01
Rule 3337-40-58 | Administrative and classified compensation.
 

(A) General policy statement

Pay determination decisions should support the university's commitment to a market-based pay approach. This ensures the university's ability to attract and retain the talent needed to support Ohio university's mission and initiatives. University human resources ("UHR") manages the pay plans and pay structure to ensure market competitiveness. The university will pay employees without regard to any of the categories listed as protected in policy 40.001, relative to:

(1) Internal equity based upon the skills and requirements of positions;

(2) External market as defined by UHR;

(3) Financial management of the university.

(B) Program objectives

Ohio university will maintain a salary program that:

(1) Is consistent with the general policies of the university;

(2) Is internally equitable and externally competitive with comparable market ranges;

(3) Ensures equitable pay for work requiring similar skill or competency, scope, and responsibility;

(4) Assures that university employees are fairly and justly rewarded for contributing their knowledge, skills, abilities, and time in accomplishing university objectives (implies "pay for performance" for all);

(5) Ensures that the salary program is administered with consistency and uniformity throughout the university, with regard to position evaluation and salary structure;

(6) Includes objective job specifications and qualifications as an aid to hiring and promotion;

(7) Provides a system to identify inequities and maintain competitive salary levels;

(8) Provides data for the strategic analysis of compensation costs and forecasts;

(9) Provides data supporting workforce, talent, and succession planning;

(10) Assures compliance with appropriate laws and regulations.

(C) Administrative responsibility

(1) President

The president of Ohio university or the appropriate designee has authority and responsibility for the salary plan's goals, objectives, structures, and policies. The following are specific delegations of authority in the day-to-day administration of the program.

(2) Chief human resource officer

Ongoing responsibility for overseeing the program is assigned to the chief human resource officer. As such, the following duties are in the chief human resource officers purview, although in actual practice they may be assigned to other staff in university human resources:

(a) Drafting and recommending new or revised salary policies and procedures;

(b) Maintaining position descriptions in accordance with retention schedules;

(c) Monitoring the evaluation of new positions and re-evaluation of existing positions;

(d) Auditing the pay structure to maintain market competitiveness and internal equity;

(e) Reviewing compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act, equal employment opportunity commission regulations, and other governmental regulations including the determination of a position's exempt or non-exempt status;

(f) Maintaining histories of salary and career records in accordance with retention schedules;

(g) Appraising pay plan program effectiveness and recommending program revisions as necessary;

(h) Advising and assisting departments in implementing pay plan policies, guidelines, and procedures in salary administration.

For specific forms and procedures for drafting a job description, please access the "Pay Administration Guidelines."

(3) Salary plan evaluation

The vice president for finance and administration shall direct the chief human resource officer to conduct a study of the administrative pay plan every three years, or as needed. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the salary plan in terms of effectiveness in achieving objectives, external comparability, and internal structure and usage by administrative units.

(4) Appropriate job documentation

The duties, responsibilities, and specifications of all positions in the program shall be kept on file with university human resources. The job description will provide information regarding the essential functions of the position, specifics with respect to position scope and accountability, and the skills and competency level requirements of the position. Managers are accountable to ensure descriptions are accurate for each position they supervise, with input from their staff.

Last updated October 12, 2022 at 8:18 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3337.01
Amplifies: 3337.01
Rule 3337-40-63 | Flexible work schedule, flexible hours, and flexible work locations for administrators and classified employees.
 

(A) Overview

As a matter of work-life balance, Ohio university supports a progressive work culture that embraces diversity and provides, where appropriate, flexible work schedules, flexible hours, and flexible work location options for administrators and classified employees. Ohio university acknowledges that there are growing demands on staff recruitment and retention, as well as the growing demands on university space and energy requirements. Additionally, the university recognizes as a public entity, it is charged with using resources in the most efficient and effective manner. Employees covered by a "Collective Bargaining Agreement" should refer to their respective agreements.

This policy pertains to flexible arrangements (schedules, hours, locations), not to positions hired to work at locations outside of Ohio university's main or regional campuses and satellite centers.

(B) Definitions

(1) "Remote work" - the practice of an employee working at their home, or in some other place that is not Ohio university's usual place of business.

(2) "On-site" - the practices of employee working at the organization's usual place of business. The employee may have a permanent work location, or flexible work location made available to the department and scheduable by the employee.

(3) "Hybrid work" - the practice of an employee practicing a combination of remote and on-site work as needed to perform the expectations of their job duties.

(4) "Core hours" - period of hours each day/ week when your department must be staffed at an appropriate level.

(5) "Peak periods" - cyclical times of the year when business activity or work volume is high during which the department must be staffed on site at specified level. Employees may be required to work on campus for their regular schedule.

(C) Flexible work schedules, flexible hours, and flexible location options

(1) Flexible work schedules

Flexible work schedules that maintain coverage during the university core hours may include such options as a compressed work week (for example, four ten-hour days, four nine-hour days and one four-hour day, etc.), or may include alternative start and end times to the work day. Flexible work schedules will not reduce the number of hours required to be worked by an employee. For example, a full-time employee will be required to work forty hours in a week.

(2) Flexible work hours

An additional purpose of this policy is to recognize occasional excess hours worked by an employee. A supervisor may approve reasonable, intermittent flexible hours in recognition of hours worked that are clearly in excess of the standard work week at Ohio university for employees who are exempt from the overtime provision of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

In such cases, the flexible hours option involves the downward flexing of the number of work hours in any given week and should be implemented within a reasonable time frame and as close to the period of excess hours worked as possible.

(3) Flexible work location

Flexible work locations including remote and hybrid, as defined in paragraph (B) of this rule, may be provided at the supervisor's discretion.

(D) Use of flex options

The options for flexible work schedule, flexible work hours, and flexible work locations are available when appropriate and at management's discretion after consultation with and approval by the planning unit vice president/vice provost. Flex arrangements require advance supervisory approval and may not adversely affect diversity initiatives or the university culture, impede teamwork, reduce productivity, efficiency, or availability, or degrade internal or external service levels. It is the responsibility of the planning unit head to ensure service levels are maintained. Decisions to offer and grant flexible work arrangements may be complicated and multifaceted and as a result it is acknowledged that perceptions of equity and fairness differences will exist. The guidelines for flexible work schedule, flexible hours, and flexible work locations for administrators and classified employees sets forth the mandatory requirements for managers and staff; it must be reviewed prior to granting a flex option; and indicates flex options should be reviewed periodically and are subject to change. Flex options may be initiated by managers or administrators and classified employees. The appropriate FlexWork tracker app must be completed prior to commencement of any flex options. The university is not obligated to approve a proposal for flexible work arrangement for any employee. Flexible work schedules are subject to ongoing review and may be terminated at any time by any supervisor or by the employee with the agreement of the supervisor, as outlined on the policy.

Last updated July 7, 2022 at 8:35 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3337.01
Amplifies: 3337.01
Rule 3337-40-75 | Adoption benefits.
 

The version of this rule that includes live links to associated resources is online at

https://www.ohio.edu/policy/40-075.html

(A) Overview

The university provides the benefits specified in this policy in support of eligible faculty and staff pursuing adoption of minor children.

(B) Eligibility

Benefits eligible faculty and staff include:

(1) Full time and part time employees, excluding temporary and intermittent appointments, with:

(a) An employment period of greater than one hundred twenty days and an FTE level of 0.75 or greater, or

(b) Part-time employees who were enrolled for benefits as of June 30, 2015.

(2) "Group I," "Group II," "Group IV," and "Clinical" faculty as defined by the "Faculty Handbook."

(3) Any faculty member or employee who qualifies for a benefit due to state or federal law (e.g., healthcare coverage, workers compensation, or unemployment compensation). Criteria are described on the university human resources web site.

(C) Benefit description

The adoption benefit plan will reimburse eligible employees up to five thousand dollars per child for eligible adoption-related expenses upon placement of a minor child in the employees home.

If two adopting parents of the same adopted child are both eligible for adoption assistance, the total maximum benefit amount for that adoption is five thousand dollars.

Adoptions made through public, private, domestic, international, and independent means are eligible. The adopted child must be under the age of eighteen.

(D) Applying for adoption benefits

Employees should complete and submit the "Adoption Benefit Form" to human resources. Receipts for expenses are required for approval and reimbursement.

(E) Payment and taxation of adoption benefits

Adoption benefits are taxable income. Human resources will review and approve your adoption benefit form and expenses and receipts. Upon approval, the adoption benefit will be paid in the next regularly scheduled pay check. Employees may be eligible for an income tax credit for adoption benefits. Consult a tax advisor for details.

(F) Eligible expenses

(1) Legal fees and court costs

(2) Adoption agency and placement fees

(3) Required medical expenses for the child prior to adoption (including immunizations)

(4) Immigration fees

(5) Translation services

(6) Transportation expenses including lodging expenses

(G) Ineligible expenses

(1) Medical examination fees for adopting parents

(2) Cost of personal items such as clothing and food for either the parents or the child

(3) Expenses incurred prior to eligibility for the program

(4) Expenses for the adoption of a spouse or domestic partner's child

(5) Expenses related to a surrogate parenting arrangement

The version of this rule that includes live links to associated resources is online at

https://www.ohio.edu/policy/40-075.html

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 111.15
Amplifies: 111.15
Rule 3337-40-106 | Administrative and classified appointment.
 

(A) Overview

This policy defines appointment types for Ohio university. The chief human resource officer, as the appointing authority, shall administer the hiring practices of all appointments and shall review and facilitate all prospective appointment offerings. The wages, benefits, terms, and conditions of employment shall be governed by university practices, rules, policies, and procedures in effect at the time of hire and as they may be modified or amended.

(B) Regular appointments

Regular appointments can be full time or part-time and are more than one hundred twenty consecutive days.

(1) Regular administrative appointments are intended to be ongoing, can be exempt or non-exempt, and are at will, subject to involuntary termination with or without cause, in accordance with policies 41.012 and 41.013.

(2) Regular classified employees are non-exempt, intended to be ongoing, subject to the conditions included in the respective collective bargaining agreement.

(C) Term appointments

Appointments of a fixed duration greater than one hundred twenty days, but less than three years, without intention of continuing employment shall be referred to as "Term Appointments."

(1) Employees appointed to such positions will receive an offer letter, approved by UHR that clearly sets forth the limited term of their appointment.

(2) Term appointments shall not be subject to policies 41.012 and 41.013.

(3) A term appointment may be terminated prior to the expiration of the term for any reason by giving the employee written notice thirty calendar days prior to the termination date.

(D) Temporary appointments

Short-term appointments of less than one hundred twenty days shall be referred to as "Temporary Appointments."

(1) Temporary appointments shall not be subject to policies 41.012 and 41.013.

(2) A temporary appointment may be terminated prior to he expiration of the appointment for any reason.

(3) A temporary appointment may exceed one hundred twenty days for reasons noted in section 124.30 of the Revised Code "sickness, disability, or other approved leave of absence of regular officers or employees", in which case it may continue during the period of sickness, disability, or other approved leave of absence, subject to the rules of the director.

(E) Intermittent appointments

Positions in which an employee is scheduled to work only on days and hours as needed shall be referred to as "Intermittent Appointments."

(1) An appointment when an employee is required to work less than one thousand hours per fiscal year, or for a duration of a project or grant, which may exceed one thousand hours per fiscal year.

(2) Administrative employee called in as needed, or on an emergency basis.

(3) An intermittent appointment may be terminated for any reason at the discretion of the appointing authority.

(F) Special appointments designation

Positions dependent upon financial support from sources other than university general operating and auxiliary funds shall be referred to as "Special Appointments." Special appointment is a designation that can be given to any appointment types.

(1) Special appointees will receive an offer letter, approved by UHR, that states that they have "Special Appointments" that are dependent upon outside funding.

(2) Special appointments are considered at will, and are subject to termination with or without cause in accordance with policies 41.012 and 41.013.

(3) Notwithstanding policies 41.012 and 41.013, special appointments may be terminated at any time if the outside funding is decreased or eliminated. In this event, special appointees will be given notice of the termination as far in advance of the anticipated termination date as circumstances permit.

(G) Seasonal appointments

Full- or part-time contiguous positions greater than one hundred twenty days but less than nine months per year with the same schedule expected to recur in successive years. A seasonal appointment may be terminated for any reason at the discretion of the appointing authority.

(H) Non-contiguous appointments

Full- or part-time positions that may be comprised of multiple periods of work throughout the year, totaling more than one thousand hours per year and with at least one working period of greater than one hundred twenty days. For example, a non-contiguous employee may work July through December, be off work for the month of January, resume work in February through May, and be off work for the month of June. A non-contiguous appointment may be terminated for any reason at the discretion of the appointing authority.

Last updated September 28, 2022 at 8:42 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3337.01
Amplifies: 3337.01
Prior Effective Dates: 6/20/2016
Rule 3337-40-107 | Nepotism.
 

(A) Overview

Ohio ethics law and the related statutes found in the Revised Code generally prohibit public officials and employees from misusing their official positions for their own personal benefit or the benefit of their family members. The purpose of this policy is to ensure the hiring and supervision by and within the university is conducted in compliance with the Ohio ethics laws and in a manner that enhances public confidence in the university, prevents situations which give the appearance of partiality, preferential treatment, improper influence, and conflict of interest.

Relationship by family, marriage, or domestic partnership will not preclude hiring, promotion, or transfer, as long as the individual meets and fulfills the appropriate appointment standards. This policy provides guidance regarding the initial employment of family members and influencing employment of, or employment decisions regarding, family members. This policy also applies to situations where there is a change in family status for employees after employment. For example, the marriage of a supervisor to a supervisee would be a change in status that would cause the parties to be subject to this policy.

(B) Definitions

"University employee" means any person who is appointed to or is an employee of Ohio university, regardless of the source of funding for the employee's position. University employee applies to all forms of employment by Ohio university, including regular and term, full- and part-time appointments to administrative, classified, research, and bargaining unit positions, to overload contracts, to graduate appointments, and to graduate and undergraduate student employment (including employment under the program to aid career exploration, "PACE," and federal work study, "FWS," programs), and courtesy appointments.

"Family member," for purposes of this policy only, includes but is not limited to the following: spouse, domestic partner, children (biological, step, adopted, or foster), legal wards, siblings, parents, grandparents, grandchildren, uncles, aunts, father-in-law, mother-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, and other persons related by blood, adoption, or marriage.

"Supervision" means the direct ability to affect, or the power to effectively recommend, the hiring, renewal, evaluation, assignment of duties, establishment or adjustment of compensation and benefits, transfer, suspension, layoff, recall, promotion, discharge, reward, discipline, or settlement of the disciplinary grievances or appeals of another university employee.

(C) Hiring of family members

All university employees are prohibited from recommending, nominating, authorizing, or using the authority or influence of their position to secure the authorization of employment, for a family member.

(D) Supervision of family members

No university employee shall supervise any family member or participate (formally or informally) in any decision, or use their position to secure any decision, which affects the continuation, implementation, or terms and conditions of a family member's employment, nor provide direct approval of a family member's time sheets or payroll.

(E) Allowable and alternative arrangements

(1) Permitted circumstances

Nothing in this policy prohibits two family members from being hired and working for the university, even within the same department, provided all parties comply with the terms of this policy. The following circumstances are permitted by this policy:

(a) A family member is not prohibited from obtaining employment within the same department as a result of hiring, bumping, displacement, recall, promotion, appointment, or some other non-discretionary personnel action. Employment within the same department may also occur when a marital or other significant relationship develops subsequent to the employee's employment with the department. The family members are not prohibited from continuing to work for the university or specific department.

(b) A supervisory employee is not prohibited from working in the same department as a family member, provided the supervisory employee does not participate in the hiring of the employee and alternative arrangements have been made ensuring the avoidance of a direct line of supervision.

(c) A university employee is not prohibited from approving a union contract when their family member is a member of the union, unless the relative serves as a union officer, board member, or on the union negotiating team.

(d) A university employee is not prohibited from participating in general decisions that impact classes of employees, one of whom is a family member (e.g., unit- or university-wide decisions regarding salary increases, layoffs, changes in benefits, etc.).

(e) A university employee is not prohibited from participating in a general budgetary appropriation that includes money to fund a family member's compensation and benefits, or from participating in budgetary appropriations to a department that employs a family member.

(2) Alternate arrangements

University employees who are not family members as defined above, but who are in a close personal relationship, may be requested to use the provisions of this subsection in order to avoid any appearance of impropriety or conflict of interest.

The provisions of this subsection shall be followed whenever a subordinate supervisor would supervise the family member of their supervisor.

(a) University employees must notify their supervisor if any family member applies for a position for which they will be responsible or may influence the employment actions as detailed in this policy. Family members must delegate authority to other parties or recuse themselves from hiring-related decisions regarding their family members.

(b) Internal applicants are required to self-disclose, at the time of application, if the position for which they are applying reports to or supervises a family member.

(c) In instances where family members are working and supervising within the same department, alternative arrangements must be taken to eliminate the appearance of impropriety and conflict of interest. Alternative arrangements shall include removing the responsibility or influence to hire, and removing the opportunity and obligations of directly supervising family members. This includes relationships that are post-hire. Alternative arrangements shall be fully documented in the "Workplace Alternative Arrangement Agreement" detailed in paragraphs (E)(2)(d) and (E)(3) of this rule.

(d) The employing unit must submit a "Workplace Alternative Arrangement Agreement" for review to university human resources, the office of the provost, and the division head. University human resources, the office of the provost, and the division head may alter or modify the "Workplace Alternative Arrangement Agreement" submitted by the employing unit. The "Workplace Alternative Arrangement Agreement" must be maintained in the personnel files of all impacted employees.

(3) Review process

Employees impacted by a "Workplace Alternative Arrangement Agreement" may seek review of the terms and conditions of the agreement from the planning unit head. Said employees shall submit their request in writing to the planning unit head, with a copy to university human resources. The planning unit head shall review all information submitted and render a final and binding decision regarding the "Workplace Alternative Arrangement Agreement." The final decision shall be given to the employee, university human resources, the office of the provost, and the division head. The updated "Workplace Alternative Arrangement Agreement" shall be filed in the personnel files of all impacted employees, with a notation that it supersedes any prior version.

(4) Public records

All versions of the "Workplace Alternative Arrangement Agreement" filed in the personnel files are subject to release under the provisions of policy 40.007.

(F) Appointments

Appointment of family members to a position, and on-going employment decisions, shall be made in accordance with all applicable policies and guidelines, and collective bargaining agreements, including the following:

(1) Policy 20.110

(2) Policy 40.057

(3) Policy 40.106

(4) "Faculty Handbook," section II-R, "Policy on Consensual and Familial Relationships in the Instructional Setting," and section II-S, "Consensual and Familial Relationships."

(G) Scope

This policy supersedes any and all policies and guidelines regarding matters of nepotism, except that this policy applies to faculty appointments only to the extent that no contrary provision is included in the "Faculty Handbook."

(H) Violations

Any employee who believes this policy has been violated should contact university human resources at (740) 593-1636, the office of equity and civil rights compliance, the office for equal opportunity and accessibility, or the university ombuds office.

Last updated July 8, 2022 at 11:38 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3337.01
Amplifies: 3337.01
Rule 3337-40-110 | Employment agency fees.
 

The version of this rule that includes live links to associated resources is online at

https://www.ohio.edu/policy/40-110.html

(A) Overview

This policy provides guidance pertaining to the use of employment agencies and the hiring of employees through employment agencies.

Planning unit heads are empowered within departmental budget limitations to do either of the following:

(1) Employ the services of placement offices or employment agencies, or

(2) Pay the employment fees of new employees hired through employment agencies.

This policy shall pertain only to clerical employees, technicians, and specialists, and not to faculty members or administrative officers.

(B) Process

Prior to authorizing the above services or payments, the employing department will obtain a written confirmation from university human resources that sufficient candidates to fill the position cannot be obtained through local channels, and that the use of an employment agency is an appropriate source of additional potential employees. Further, the employing department must obtain written approval in advance from the planning unit head, which includes vice presidents and deans.

University human resources secures and manages the contracts associated with employment agencies.

The version of this rule that includes live links to associated resources is online at

https://www.ohio.edu/policy/40-110.html

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 111.15
Amplifies: 111.15
Rule 3337-40-121 | Recruitment and selection of faculty and staff.
 

(A) Overview

In compliance with requirements as a federal contractor, Ohio university will make aggressive efforts to recruit under-represented minority group members, such as women, persons with disabilities, veterans, and Vietnam era veterans, for position openings. In accordance with federal law and Chapter 124. of the Revised Code, it is the policy of the university to engage in recruitment practices that yield the best applicants for vacancies.

This policy covers all faculty and staff positions at Ohio university.

This policy also establishes an official diversity statement to be utilized as appropriate during recruitment activity:

Ohio university is proud of its rich history, diverse campuses, international communities, and beautiful Appalachian settings. As part of our ongoing efforts to provide and support a transformative learning experience, we affirm our commitment to fostering a welcoming, respectful, diverse, and inclusive workforce and community. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, ethnicity, national origin, national ancestry, sex, status as a parent during pregnancy and immediately after the birth of a child, status as a parent of a young child, status as a foster parent, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, military service or veteran status, mental or physical disability, or genetic information. Ohio university is an equal access/equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

(B) Process

All faculty and staff positions will be posted as directed by university human resources or a collective bargaining agreement. Processes and procedures can be found in guidelines and recruitment and selection at Ohio university.

(C) Practices, processes, and procedures

Practices, processes, and procedures regarding recruitment and selection at Ohio university will set forth in guidelines for recruitment and selection at Ohio university. These guidelines will be established, maintained, and updated by university human resources in close partnership with the office of equity and civil rights compliance and the vice president for diversity and inclusion. Exceptions to this policy and associated guidelines must be approved by the chief human resources officer or their designee.

Last updated July 6, 2022 at 11:33 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3337.01
Amplifies: 3337.01
Rule 3337-40-125 | Pre-employment background check and on-going duty to self-disclose.
 

(A) Overview

Ohio university is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for students, parents, faculty, staff, volunteers, and visitors. Ohio university is also committed to protecting the university's physical, intellectual, and financial resources. This policy seeks to ensure the success of maintaining a safe and secure environment for the campus community while protecting university resources.

This policy sets forth the instruments for conducting pre-employment background verifications and checks validating applicants' eligibility and suitability for a position with Ohio university. Information discovered through the background check process will be used solely for the purpose of evaluating a finalist's suitability for employment and will not be used to discriminate against a finalist on the basis of race, color, religion/creed, sex/gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, genetic information, marital/familial status, disability, military, veteran status, or any other protected status. Background checks will be conducted in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and shall only be conducted by and through university human resources to ensure compliance. In addition to pre-employment background verifications and checks, this policy also requires employees and offerees within the scope of this policy to self-disclose criminal convictions within three business days of the conviction.

(B) Definitions

The following definitions shall apply for the purposes of this policy:

(1) Background check/pre-employment verification

Process of acquiring records regarding an individual that are used to determine eligibility for initial or ongoing employment or other university activities.

(2) Break in service

Departure from university either voluntarily or involuntarily for any period of time.

(3) Criminal conviction

Being found guilty, entering a plea, or pleading no contest to a felony or misdemeanor.

(4) Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)

Federal law that regulates collection, dissemination, and use of consumer information.

(5) Final candidate

Internal or external applicant identified as the finalist for a position.

(6) Third party staffing vendor

An organization that provides its staff to the university to supplement the university's workforce.

(C) Policy

(1) Scope of policy

Ohio university shall conduct background checks and pre-employment verification as part of the employment hiring process on final candidates for the following positions:

(a) Regular full-time and part-time faculty, administrative, classified and bargaining unit employees;

(b) All student employees, including graduate assistants, as determined by the department in conjunction with university human resources, who work with a distinct population (e.g. children, adults younger than eighteen, etc.), need access to sensitive facilities, records, and/or data, or have independent responsibility for handling business transactions.

(c) Temporary, term, seasonal and intermittent appointments, including adjunct and visiting faculty.

(d) Temporary staff provided by third party staffing vendors unless the vendor has conducted its own background check that complies with Ohio university requirements and has been accepted by Ohio university.

(e) Employees who return to Ohio university after a break in service.

(f) Current employees who are final candidates for Ohio university positions, other than the ones they presently hold, if the new position requires heightened levels of responsibility in duties and/or heightened levels of access to facilities, records, data of a sensitive nature as determined by university human resources after consultation with the department.

(g) Employees responsible for the care, custody or control of children or minors on campus, such as childcare workers and camp counselors, in compliance with the Ohio university minors on campus policy and all applicable laws and regulations.

Background checks are not required to be performed for the following positions:

(i) Student work-study, student hourly employees, or graduate student employees unless they work primarily with a distinct population (e.g. children, adults younger than eighteen, etc.) or need access to sensitive facilities, records, and/or data, or have independent responsibility for handling business transactions.

(ii) Current incumbents involved in a position reclassification.

(iii) Faculty employment changes resulting from the faculty tenure and promotion process.

(2) Pre-employment verifications and background check

A candidate for employment into a position at Ohio university will not be employed or hired into a position at Ohio university until a satisfactory pre-employment verification and background check has been completed and authorization is provided to the hiring department. Exceptions may only be made with the expressed written approval of the chief human resources officer after a written request is submitted by a dean or appropriate vice president or equivalent. If an exception is granted and employment begins prior to completion of the background check, the employee is prohibited from interacting with minors on campus. All offers of employment shall be considered conditional until a background check has been completed and all other pre-employment requirements have been satisfied. The terms of a conditional offer of employment shall be specifically detailed in writing through the officially university generated offer letter to the candidate. If employment commences prior to completion of a satisfactory criminal background check, the university reserves the right to evaluate the employee's suitability for employment and to end the employment if the background check is deemed unacceptable. In this event, the employee is not eligible for any advanced notice of separation and does not qualify for severance benefits under university policy.

(a) Consent to conduct background checks and verifications

Final candidates will be informed in writing that the offer of employment is contigent upon the satisfactory completion of a background check. Prior to conducting a pre-employment background check, a signed disclosure and authorization form must be obtained from the final candidate. This authorization grants authority to Ohio university and/or a third-party vendor, to perform the required background check. Failure to provide consent will preclude a final candidate from consideration for a position and may result in corrective action up to and including termination for current employees.

As part of the consent to a background check, the final candidate must fully and accurately disclose all criminal convictions and pending criminal arrests or actions. Failure to disclose all criminal convictions or failure to provide truthful, accurate, and complete information regarding criminal convictions will result in the candidate being ineligible for hire for the current position and possibly ineligible for future employment consideration. Current employees may be subject to corrective action up ro and including termination.

Ohio university reserves the right to retain the service of third-party vendors to conduct background checks on behalf of Ohio university. The third-party vendor will be selected and approved by the vice president for finance and administration, in consultation with university human resources and the office of legal affairs.

Records received from background checks will be retained in a secure location by university human resources, separate and apart from personnel files. Destruction of the records will occur in accordance with the public records retention policy of Ohio university.

(b) Reference checks

Background checks performed in accordance with this policy shall not serve as a substitute for the reference checking process. Hiring managers shall conduct, as part of the candidate selection process, reference checks prior to extending a conditional offer of employment. Hiring managers shall contact their human resources liaisons regarding any inquiries, questions or concerns in regard to reference checks.

(c) Educational, employment, licensure and professional credential verifications

Ohio university will conduct a pre-employment check or verification to confirm the educational history, licensure (including motor vehicle licensure) and/or professional credentials and certifications of finalist candidates prior to employment at Ohio university. All information that supports a finalist's ability to meet all qualifications for the position must be independently verified. Ohio university may conduct a pre-employment check or verification to confirm employment history.

(d) Criminal history

Upon receiving consent and authorization for a background check from the final candidate, university human resources will initiate the criminal history check. This check shall include an inquiry into federal, state and county criminal felony and misdemeanor records in each location the candidate has resided and a check of the national sex offender registry. Some designated positions, as determined by the chief human resources officer, may be subject to a more comprehensive criminal history review consisting of a fingerprint background check conducted by the bureau of criminal investigation (BCI) or federal bureau of investigation (FBI).

The chief human resources officer, or designee, shall be the recipient of any findings, reports or information gathered from the criminal background check. Analysis and evaluation of the results from the criminal background check will be performed by the senior director of human resources services and the director of employee and labor relations, under the guidance of the chief human resources officer.

Convictions and pending criminal charges will be taken into account when reviewing a final candidate's criminal history. Previous arrests and charges without a conviction may not be considered. A criminal conviction is not an absolute bar to employment, the following factors will be considered: the accuracy and completeness of the information provided by the final candidate, the facts and circumstances of the conduct and its correlation to the duties and responsibilities of the position, the gravity of the offense, the time since the conviction and completion of sentence, the rehabilitation or other requirements of the sentencing, the record of performance at other positions, the degree to which the position is one of trust and authority, and the impact to the public image of the university.

(e) Financial credit check

Ohio university does not regularly obtain and review credit reports as part of the pre-employment screening process. Some positions, however, may require an additional financial or credit history check prior to employment to determine if the final candidate is a suitable hire. Positions holding a fiduciary responsibility to Ohio university and who regularly have financial responsibilities, including access to or accountability for university funds or other cash, financial assets or accounts, are subject to a credit history check. The vice president of finance and administration, in collaboration with the chief human resources officer, shall designate those positions requiring a pre-employment background credit check.

Upon receiving consent and authorization for a background credit check from the final candidate, university human resources will initiate a credit check in accordance with the fair credit reporting act. The chief human resources officer, or designee, shall be the recipient of any findings, reports or information gathered from the financial credit check. Analysis and evaluation of the results from the credit check will be performed by the senior director of human resources services and the director of employee and labor relations, under the guidance of the chief human resources officer.

A negative credit history is not an automatic bar to employment but will be considered along with factors such as the nature and seriousness of the negative credit history and its correlation to the duties and responsibilities of the position, the accuracy and completeness of the information provided by the final candidate, the facts and cicumstances of the conduct, the time elapsed since the negative history, the record of performance at other positions, and the relationship to the position in question.

(f) Adverse action resulting from pre-employment background check

If the pre-employment background check results in no adverse action (i.e. approval of final candidate), university human resources will notify the hiring manager of approval to proceed with the hire.

If the information gathered during the pre-employment background check results in an adverse action (i.e. withdrawal of conditional offer), university human resources will immediately provide the final candidate the following: a notice of the probablreslte adverse action, a copy of the background check results, and a copy of the "A Summary of Your Rights Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act" notice. The final candidate will be given five calendar days to respond to the information provided in the background check and provide an explanation regarding their criminal or credit history, evidence of rehabilitation or personal character, the length of time since the last negative history, and other information or extenuating circumstances relevant to the adverse report. The chief human resources officer, and/or their designee, will evaluate the submitted information and make a final determination. If the final candidate does not submit additional information, or if they submit additional information and the university upholds its decision to take an adverse action, university human resources will provide the final candidate a letter detailing the final adverse decision.

(3) Self-disclosure of criminal arrests and convictions

All employees and offerees within the scope of this policy are required to self-disclose criminal arrests and convictions within three business days of the conviction to their planning unit head or their human resources liaison. Employees and offerees are required to provide accurate and detailed information regarding the facts and circumstances of the conviction and will be subject to a criminal background check. Failure to self-disclose, failure to provide truthful and accurate information regarding the conviction, or failure to consent to a background check may result in corrective action up to and including termination.

A criminal conviction is not an absolute bar to continued employment at Ohio university. Analysis and evaluation of the disclosed information will be performed by the senior director of human resources services and the director of employees and labor relations, under the guidance of the chief human resources officer. Assessment of the disclosed information will include the accuracy and completeness of the information provided by the employee, the facts and circumstances of the conduct and its relationship to the duties and responsibilities of the position, the gravity of the offense, the rehabilitation or other requirements of the sentencing, and the public image on behalf of the university. The chief human resources officer, in consultation with the planning unit head and/or provost, will make a final determination regarding eligibility for continued employment of employee and will initiate disciplinary proceedings accordingly.

Last updated February 5, 2024 at 12:34 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3337.01
Amplifies: 3337.01