Temporary Salary Reduction/Furlough Plan Frequently Asked Questions
The following is a list of frequently asked questions pertaining to Morgan’s temporary salary reduction/ furlough plan. If you have additional questions, please contact the Office of Human Resources.
- Why is Morgan required to implement a temporary salary reduction/furlough plan?
Morgan is faced with a budget reduction due to cuts in the FY ‘10 budget of general funds received from the state. A furlough permits the state to continue essential public services and functions while saving funds necessary to balance the state budget. Furloughs are preferable to massive layoffs. - What does the University mean by a “Temporary Salary Reduction/Furlough Plan”?
This means that Morgan will have to meet its specific budget reduction target through personnel-related measures. The Board of Regents has authorized the University to implement a temporary salary reduction/furlough plan by closing the University for 3 days and by furloughing employees on additional days based on annual salary. - Which employees are not affected by the temporary salary reduction/furlough plan?
Graduate assistants, student employees, part-time adjunct faculty, employees on H1-B visas, employees on approved Family Medical Leave, and employees who work in 24/7 operations. Employees in 100% grant-funded positions are not excluded. - How long will the temporary salary reduction/furlough plan be in effect?
Salary reductions will be spread out evenly over 20 pay; beginning with the pay date of September 1, 2010 and end with the pay date of May 25, 2011. - Will H1-B Visa employees be required to work on the days the University is closed?
No. These employees will be required to use accumulated leave or leave without pay. - What days will the University be closed for the temporary salary reduction/furlough plan?
The campus will be closed for 3 days for furlough:
- Friday, November 26, 2010*
- Friday, December 17, 2010
- Monday, March 21, 2011
*The holiday previously scheduled for November 26, 2010 wil be taken on December 20, 2010.
Employees required to take only 2 days of furlough must use accumulated leave or leave without pay for December 17, 2009. Employees required to take more than 3 days must take those additional days between August 11, 2010 and June 1, 2011. No employee shall take or be asked to take more than one day (8 hours) or less than ½ day (4 hours) of furlough within the same calendar week (Sunday through Saturday). There is a staff furlough request form available in each department. Faculty are not required to complete this form. - How will I record leave on my timesheet?
Time sheets should reflect when furlough hours are taken by charging the leave time to furlough. - When and how will the faculty be furloughed?
Faculty members will be furloughed on the following days depending upon salary:
- 3 days: November 26, 2010, December 17, 2010 and March 21, 2011
- 5 days: November 26, 2010, December 17, 2010, March 21, 2011, March 22, 2011 and March 23, 2011
- 6 days: November 26, 2010, December 17, 2010, March 21, 2011, March 22, 2011, March 23, 2011 and March 24, 2011
- 7 days: November 26, 2010, December 17, 2010 and March 21, 2011 through March 25, 2011
- 8 days: November 26, 2010, December 17, 2010, January 3, 2011 and March 21, 2011 through March 25, 2011
- 9 days: November 26, 2010, December 17, 2010, January 3, 2011, January 4, 2011 and March 21, 2011 through March 25, 2011
- 10 days: November 26, 2010, December 17, 2010, January 3, 2011 through January 5, 2011 and March 21, 2011 through March 25, 2011 - Will the temporary salary reduction/furlough affect my benefits?
- Retirements will not be affected since the annual salary reported remains the same
- Health benefit deductions will not be affected
- Supplemental retirement deductions (403b, 457, 401k) will not be affected. - Will classes be canceled as a result of the furlough plan?
No. There will be no classes canceled as a result of the temporary salary reduction/furlough plan. - How will the temporary salary reduction/furlough plan affect my reported earnings?
Earnings on your W-2 for 2010 and 2011 will reflect the reduction in salary. - May I come to campus and work on the furlough days?
In general, salaried and hourly employees should not be permitted to be in their work areas or to perform official duties during the period of furlough. Supervisors may not direct employees to work nor are employees to work on their own. In the event of an emergency, the employee’s appointing authority may revoke a furlough day and the employee shall be paid for work performed on that day. However, the employee will be required to take the furlough on some other day prior to June 1, 2011. - Who will be responsible for informing employees of the number of days that are required to be taken during the temporary salary reduction/furlough period?
Each vice president, Dean and/or Director will be given a report indicating the number of days each employee is required to take based on the annual salary schedule. - How are the temporary salary reductions calculated for 9 ½ and 10 month faculty?
The salary reductions will be based on a 12 month calculation of the academic salary. - Can an employee work overtime in a week in which the employee takes furlough hours?
No. Furlough time is considered work time for the purposes of calculating eligibility for overtime. Therefore, supervisors should not permit an employee (exempt or non-exempt) to work overtime in a week in which furlough time is taken. Permitting an employee to earn overtime during a week in which the employee takes furlough hours would reduce the savings achieved by the furlough. - Will overtime be impacted by the temporary salary reduction/furlough plan?
No. Overtime pay rates will not be impacted because the hourly rate of pay is not being reduced. - Who do I contact if I have more questions?
Employees may consult their supervisors or the Office of Human Resources at 443-885-3195.
