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September 15, 2000 To: Vice Chancellors, Deans, Managers, Unit Heads From: Julia Armstrong-Zwart, Assistant Chancellor for Human Resources Re: Proposed Personnel and Benefits Changes for Casual Employees This is to inform you that the University has developed a set of proposals to expand benefits eligibility and employment privileges for some staff and academic employees in "casual" positions. First, a proposal is being prepared for the Regents' consideration to expand eligibility for the University's basic pension plan (UCRP). Currently, employees who are appointed for less than a year are not eligible for UCRP membership. UC proposes to implement policy changes, effective January 1, 2001, to provide eligibility for UCRP membership to certain staff and academic employees after they have worked 1,000 hours during a rolling 12-month period. UCRP membership would be effective the first of the month after an employee reaches the 1,000 hour threshold. When these employees enter UCRP, they will be eligible to enroll in all health and welfare benefits. After initial eligibility is reached, continued eligibility for health and welfare benefits is based on average hours worked. The proposal to change the retirement plan will be presented, in concept, as an information item at the September meeting of the Regents, and as an action item at their November meeting. The University is also developing a proposal to allow individuals who are employed as of January 1, 2001, to request a review of past time worked to see if it meets the new criteria for retirement plan service credit. This proposal is also subject to Regental approval. Finally, the University is considering changes to staff personnel policies that if enacted would redefine career appointment criteria effective January 1, 2001. Under the proposal, an employee in a casual appointment would move into a career appointment after working 1,000 hours within a rolling 12-month period without a significant break in service. UC also proposes to replace the term "casual" with "limited appointment." As the proposed changes to staff personnel policy are formalized, they will be subject to review and comment by employees, employee organizations, and to collective bargaining obligations with exclusively represented groups as required under the Higher Education Employer-Employee Relations Act. Please distribute this information to affected employees in your area. Human Resources will provide more information about these proposed policy changes as details become available. Sincerely, Julia Armstrong-Zwart Assistant Chancellor for Human Resources
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