Return to Main Menu

Rumor Mill separates fact from fiction Pay increase for university employees Rumor: We on the university side have heard about the the (Medical University Hospital) Authority's performance pay plan, to be implemented beginning Dec. 30 (hourly/biweekly) and Jan. 1 (salaried/monthly). Will there be any such pay increase for university employees?  Truth: The university and authority performance pay plans are similar in concept but different in application. The authority combines a cost of living increase with a merit  increase and implements them across the board once a year. As authorized by the General Appropriations Act for FY 2001-2001, university classified employees received cost of living increases effective the first pay day after July 1. Merit increases, in accordance with the act, are effective the first pay period coinciding with or immediately following an employee's annual EPMS review. Employees receive merit increases of .5 percent for an overall rating of Meets, 1 percent for Exceeds and 1.5 percent for Substantially Exceeds. Although the authority's performance pay plan provides for increases greater than the university's merit and cost of living increases, the university also has the in-band increase policy which allows for additional increases up to 15 percent.  Kronos system Rumor: I have heard that eventually all employees (MUSC and UMA, as well as MUHA) will be required to use the Kronos swipe system, and that all employees will be on the same PTO/holiday system. Is this true? Truth: The answers to this two part rumor are as follows: Kronos: The MUSC position is that use of the Kronos system by all departments is considered desirable, but currently it is not universally required. Many do use it as determined at a college and departmental level so far, but the universal adaptation is still under active consideration. MUHA implemented the Kronos system several years ago. UMA staff employees also report through automated time and attendance systems, but not Kronos. Paid Time Off (PTO): The paid time off/holiday systems are different. At MUSC the sick and annual  leave policies for state employees in FTE positions are mandated through state regulations while the holidays observed are enumerated in the South Carolina Code of Laws. Therefore, it would require changes in state law and personnel regulations to effect a PTO policy for university employees. These regulations regarding leave do not apply to teaching personnel and officials of academic rank at institutions of higher learning. (State HR Regulations 19-709 and 19-710). MUHA and UMA have their own PTO plans not subject to state regulations. The one at MUHA was implemented in July 2000. Any changes to these plans will be communicated to MUHA and UMA employees through the normal channels as they are developed.  Shift differentials Rumor: I heard that there will be an increase in the shift differentials. If so what will it be? If not, why not? Truth: The Medical Center continuously reviews and modifies the shift differentials for various occupations depending upon market data and budgetary implications. Most  recently the RN shift differential was revised for the weekday evening and weekday night shift groups. The weekday evening shift differential rate increased from $1.90 to $2.50 per hour, and the weekday night shift differential increased from $2.60 to $3.20 per hour. On call pay Rumor: I understand that the Medical Center maintenance employees receive on-call pay. The rumor is that it was approved for MUSC physical plant maintenance employees early this year. Why hasn't it and when will it go into effect.  Truth: This has been approved in concept by the State Human Resources Department; however, in recent tight budgetary times, no additional funds have been available for its support. Efforts will continue to implement this if and/or when funds become available. State lottery Rumor: Several employees in our department have inquired about the lottery. The newspapers reported that state officials cannot legally play the lottery—since this constitutes gambling. Are state employees (specifically MUSC state employees) also prohibited from participating in the lottery? Truth: According to the S.C. Attorney General's opinion issued Jan. 7, only Board of Trustee members and notary publics are prohibited from participation.  Also all law enforcement officers are barred from participation. Parking garage Rumor: Weren't our parking rates increased so that a new garage could be built? Where is that money now? How much is there? When will construction begin? and where will the garage be? Truth: Yes, parking rates were increased to build a new garage. The funds generated are being held on behalf of the university by the state treasurer. Since FY00, approximately $1.5 million has been raised by the increase (both to staff and public parking facilities). Construction is expected to begin sometime this year. The primary site under consideration is on the surface parking lot adjacent to the north side of the Charleston High School building on Rutledge Avenue. The garage may include a portion of the CHS lot itself.