URA members are trying to figure out what President Tate’s hiring freeze means for us and for our work. The guidelines released last week don’t answer the bigger questions:
Why? Rutgers unions have analyzed the University’s finances, and we cannot answer “why?’ Rutgers financial position is strong in every way, from our enrollment to our bond rating to our growing research funding.
Who? The guidelines released last week on how to implement the hiring freeze are confusing and different university units are already giving different guidelines. That tells us that yes, there will be exceptions and no. management will not tell us what the rules are.
What does this mean for my work? Too many of us are already doing multiple jobs. A freeze or even a chill will give us more work.
The URA contract has some important protections. Article 28 – Overtime / Compensatory Time Benefits, Article 2 – Acting Appointment, Article 35 – Reclassification and Article 39 – Salary Adjustments remain in effect.
In times of uncertainty, our work remains.
If there are vacancies in your unit, due to the hiring freeze or otherwise, and you are assigned any aspect of additional work, document it. If those assignments are normally the responsibility of a higher-level colleague, review Article 2 – Acting Appointment and request an Acting Appointment.
If you are a non-exempt member, (eligible for overtime), confirm your additional assignment in writing and ask for compensation through payment of 1.5X for your additional hours. Keep a timesheet to record the extra time it takes to complete the new assignment(s).
If you are an exempt employee (not eligible for overtime), see Exempt Employees (“NL” and “N4”) section in Article 28 – Overtime / Compensatory Time Benefits, document both assignment and extra time as well. You may be eligible for comp time to help with your work/life balance or, if the extra work is unsustainable, can request for the duties to be taken away or have logistical assistance provided.
If these assignments become a permanent responsibility, review Article 35 – Reclassification or Article 39 – Salary Adjustments. Please note: you can still request a Self-Initiated Reclassification under Article 35.
Before the rush of Fall Semester begins, plan with your supervisor for how cyclical events like move in day(s) and beginning of semester events will be covered and compensated. Once the chaos and excitement begins, it is harder to plan.
When our workloads are increased, it’s up to us to be diligent and protect ourselves from being taken advantage of. “You’ll figure it out,” “the work has to get done” and other gaslighting techniques require us to know our rights and push back.
When management sets up a false choice: Accept lower pay or fewer workers, we should all remember that “Rutgers has the money.” And we deserve fair pay and work-life balance.
URA has training material available on the current hiring freeze and your rights. Reach out for an in-person or virtual session for your department.
