University of California, Berkeley

Comment period for UCOP proposed policy on Employee-initiated Reduction in Time (ERIT)

The Office of the President is proposing a University-wide policy for an Employee-Initiated Reduction in Time (ERIT) Program as an optional tool that locations may choose to offer employees in addressing the current budget reductions.  This program would be similar to the START program, which ended last December.  Departments would have the discretion to limit usage of the program based upon operational needs.

The proposed program allows career staff employees, except members of the Senior Manager Group (SMG), to voluntarily reduce their appointment percentage and corresponding pay in order for the University to achieve salary savings. In exchange, employees receive specified advantages such as protection of vacation and sick leave accruals (i.e., accrued at the rate used prior to participating in the ERIT program).  A complete copy of the proposed ERIT Program can be found at the following web site address: http://atyourservice.ucop.edu/employees/policies_employee_labor_relations/proposed_policies/employee-initiated-reduction-in-time-program-draft-3-31-2011.pdf

Following are key points in the proposed program:

  • Eligibility: all career staff employees (regular status and probationary), except SMGs.
  • Participation for exclusively represented employees is dependent upon agreement by the applicable union.
  • Minimum reduction in time: 5% of full-time.
  • Maximum reduction in time: 50% of full-time.
  • Minimum length of participation in the program: one month.
  • Maximum length of participation in the program: 12 months. Program would end June 30, 2012.
  • Vacation and Sick Leave will accrue based on the employee’s accrual rate prior to the commencement of the ERIT Program.
  • The effect of the ERIT Program on UCRP service credit is the same as a regular reduction in percentage of appointment.  This is different than the previous START program.
  • Seniority for Indefinite Layoff: Seniority for purposes of determining the order of indefinite layoff will be maintained in accordance with a participant’s percentage of appointment before ERIT.   If an employee’s position is being considered for layoff during ERIT, the employee’s seniority will be calculated based on the percentage of appointment before ERIT.

Please send questions and comments to hrpolicy@berkeley.edu no later than Monday, May 2, 2011.