University of California, Berkeley

HCM: Off/Above Scales

Sometimes departments pay an employee extra money that is outside of the pay range for the job code. On academic appointments, this is usually done for recruitment or retention purposes. For staff positions, this may happen because the market rate for the position is higher than UC Berkeley's salary range for the position.

When this happens, you can use an O/A Scale (Off or Above Scale) value on the Compensation tab in HCM, to add a component of pay outside the range. Each O/A Scale value has different programming that allows you to go outside the set range for the job code. Each one can only be used with certain job codes. The employee usually receives this extra pay until a merit or equity increase places the employee at the next step in the range.

For backup and in case of audit, always retain any documentation that authorizes you to enter pay that is outside the range for the job code.

O/A Scale Academic/Staff Usage
Above Scale Academic Use when the salary is above the top of the published scale for the job series and when there is no designated step. Note: Primarily used for ladder rank faculty. It is an approved status for Full Professors only and the salary MUST exceed Step IX (9); requires a step, so use Step "9."
DOE Lab Academic Use when salary is based on a DOE Lab salary. Note: This is used in conjunction with titles that normally have an established rate for the step (for example, Assistant Research), but policy requires that we pay at the same rate as the Labs.
Decoupled Academic Use when salary is at least one step higher than the published scale. When O/A Scale is "Decoupled," the Pay Rate should be the published amount for step. A second line is added with a Rate Code of "DEC" or "DEC9," a blank O/A Scale, and an amount that is the difference between the published amount for the step and the total Pay Rate. Example: Pay Rate for a Professor (Job Code 1100) is $11775.00 Line 1: Rate Code: 9/12 O/A Scale: Decoupled Pay Rate: 10691.47 Line 2: Rate Code: DEC O/A Scale: (blank) Pay Rate: 1083.33
Longevity Staff Use with TX employees in a shadow step above Step 5 and SX employees above the top of the range.
Market Staff Use when salary is above scale because market salaries for the same position are higher than the published scale.
NIH Salary Cap Academic Use when approved salary is higher than the allowable NIH Salary Cap. Note: NIH limits the amount that can be earned. Using this code opens the salary rate box, and it enables tracking of those who have this limit.
Off Scale Academic Use when salary is higher than the salary for the step, but lower than the next step or increment.
Off Scale
< $100		 Academic Use when salary is higher than the salary for the step, but $100 less than the next step. Inactive as of 10/01/07.
Off Scale Mid Academic Use when salary is higher than the salary for the step, but midway between steps. Note: For faculty, the annual salary is always rounded to the nearest $100. Inactive as of 10/01/07.
Red Circle Staff Use when an employee has been downgraded but the salary is above the top of the new range. Employee remains at his/her salary until range catches up.
BYA Academic For use by exception to override the step-based amount for Lecturers (Job Codes 1630-1650) and to enter the By Agreement Amount. Note: Use Step "1" for the appropriate job code, and then insert the monthly By Agreement amount. Earnings Code must also be either "BYA" or BYN".