Merit Classification Review
The following information is intended for convenient reference only for units wishing to review occupied Merit positions. The Merit reclassification process is governed by the Board of Regents and Merit Rules.
Definitions
When the duties and responsibilities of a position substantially differ from those established in the Board of Regents general position description for the current classification, the position may be considered for reclassification to a higher, equal, or lower pay grade.
See Merit Rules 681 -- 3.14 (19A) Definitions:
“Classification review” is the process initiated by a permanent employee or department head requesting review of the classification of the employee's position.
“Classification appeal” is the act of contesting the classification or reclassification of a position as determined by the merit system director after a review of the duties and responsibilities of the position.
Procedure
A staff member, supervisor, or department/administrative unit initiates a Merit reclassification request by preparing the following required form: a Position Description Questionnaire/Classification Review (Merit). These forms must specify:
- the employee’s name and social security number (or employee ID number)
- the employee’s current classification & the appropriate target classification
- task statements (100% value) & changes in duties
- location of position within unit organizational chart
Additional comments may be submitted on a department memo (optional). Note that the effective date of the reclassification is based on the date the employee signs the Position Classification Review form.
Position descriptions are located at http://hris.uiowa.edu/classcomp/merit
The following information is intended for convenient reference only for units wishing to review unoccupied Merit positions.
If position to be reclassified is a vacant position, departments should attach the following forms to a Position Change Form (available on the HR Web Transaction System) to request a reclassification of a vacant Merit position.
- Position Description Questionnaire/Classification Review (Merit)
- Unit Organizational Chart showing location of position under review
To advertise the position through Employment Services, complete a Merit Requisition available on the HR Web Transaction System. An Essential and Margnial Job Function Analysis form will need to be attached to the requisition along with all other necessary paperwork and it will be routed to Compensation and Classification through workflow.
Approval
A Merit reclassification request should be signed and reviewed at three stages before advancing to Compensation and Classification: 1) the employee's supervisor, 2) the employee's department, and 3) the employee's division/college. If the position is unoccupied, the Merit reclassification request should be signed and reviewed by 1) the department's supervisor, 2) the department, and ) the division/college. In the course of reviewing the reclassification request, Compensation and Classification may refer the information to a review committee or request additional information through a desk audit (personal interview of employee and supervisor). The reclassification request then advances to the Board of Regents for final approval. Within 15 working days of receipt of the decision from the Board of Regents, an employee or supervisor may appeal the decision by addressing a letter to the Board of Regents Merit System Director. For further information, refer to the Merit Rules 3.127(19A) Appeals.
Compensation
Salary adjustments upon reclassification are governed by the Merit Rules 3.39(3) Pay on Promotion.
For more information on Reclassifying Merit Employees, contact Compensation and Classification, comp-class@uiowa.ed