Benefits for Unclassified Part Time Employees, Less than 50% Time

I am writing to clarify the University's policy and time-keeping requirements for all unclassified staff who are employed on a less than 50% basis. Please note that benefits for classified employees who work under 50% are specified in their appropriate collective bargaining agreement. In accordance with State Statute, only regular payroll employees working 50% or more on an annualized basis, may be offered paid health insurance benefits. With this guideline in mind the following procedures will be implemented effective July 1, 1996:
 

• All employees hired after July 1, 1996 at less than 50% time will only be offered medical insurance at group rates, payable by the employee.

 
• If a less-than-halftime employee's position is increased to 50% or above, their status changes significantly. Of special note is that fact that they will now be represented by a bargaining unit, unless they are in a managerial or confidential exempt position and they become eligible for state paid health insurance and other benefits as appropriate according to the collective bargaining agreement. When the change occurs, the department should submit a revised payroll authorization stating in the remarks section that the individual has increased their time to 50% or above and that dues or agency fees should be deducted and sent to the appropriate bargaining unit. At this time they become eligible for all negotiated benefits which are available according to their status.

 
• In any situation where a person employed 50% or more is reduced through any mechanism to working less then 50%, they should be advised in writing of their changed eligibility for paid health insurance. The department should prepare a revised payroll authorization specifying the change in percent of time worked and removal from the bargaining unit. In any situation except a reduction request initiated by the employee, the department should contact Labor Relations prior to effecting the reduction;

 
• Those individuals who have worked less than 50% in the past and who are continuing at less than half time after July 1, 1996 will be reviewed individually, but in general will be governed by the terms and conditions represented to them at the time of hire.

 
• With the exception of part-timers who have teaching responsibilities, all unclassified staff working less than 50% should complete time cards on a biweekly basis. Since neither discretionary nor sick time is earned by less-than-50%ers, the section of the card for leave balances should be marked "No accruals, less than 50% employe." Employees with prior balances earned while working over 50% may use their balances when they reduce to below 50%, but they will no longer accrue time.

Please circulate this letter to your supervisory staff. You may wish to give a copy to new unclassified staff hired to work less than 50%. Please direct all questions on this issue to Mary Ann Lally in Human Resources at (860) 486-5734 or email mary.ann.lally@uconn.edu.