2020-21 Salary Increase Plan: FAQ

What are the eligibility criteria to receive a merit-based salary increase?

To be eligible, employees must have been on payroll on or before March 1, 2021. Employees who have received a notification of non-renewal, layoff, or ending of time-limited appointment are not eligible for these increases, nor are employees who received discipline since January 1, 2021, in the form of a written reprimand or suspension. Additionally, faculty who are currently on a performance improvement plan are not eligible.

Are OPS employees eligible for the salary increases?

No. OPS employees—including housestaff, postdoctoral associates, and adjunct faculty—are not included in the salary increase program. Salary increases for employees in a bargaining unit—including graduate assistants—are subject to union negotiation.

I recently accepted a position with the University. Will I be eligible for the salary increase?

Faculty and staff on payroll as of March 1, 2021, are eligible for the salary increase program, provided they meet all other eligibility criteria.

I am currently participating in DROP. Will I be eligible for the salary increases?

Yes. Faculty and staff who are currently enrolled in DROP are eligible for the salary increase, provided they meet all other eligibility criteria and are employed when the increases are awarded.

I received a letter of non-reappointment. Am I eligible for the salary increase?

Employees who have received notification of non-renewal, layoff, or ending of a time-limited appointment are not eligible for these pay increases, nor are employees who have received discipline since January 1, 2021, in the form of a written reprimand or suspension. Additionally, faculty who are currently on a performance improvement plan are not eligible.

Can a department elect to provide a salary increase greater than 3.0 percent to a staff member or a faculty member?

Yes. No individual percentage limit has been established for eligible faculty or staff members, so long as the total increases awarded do not exceed the total identified salary increase pool for the unit; individual merit increases can vary based on the unit’s discretion.

Can departments use departmental funds to increase the merit pools?

No. Departments may not increase the established merit pools of 3.0 percent.

Can my unit establish additional eligibility criteria for awarding performance increases?

Yes. Units can establish more specific eligibility criteria for awarding the 3.0 percent merit pool in addition to the University’s eligibility criteria.