Nov. 12, 2009

The temporary layoff/furlough plan is one university-wide strategy approved Oct. 29 by the state Board of Regents to help meet a $24.5 million state funding reversion. Other strategies include a partial closing of the university during the Dec. 24-Jan. 3 window and a temporary reduction in the university's contribution to employees' TIAA-CREF retirement accounts. The board approved a second retirement incentive option program, for which most of the savings will be seen in FY11. Lastly, the board will take final action on a proposed spring semester tuition surcharge when it meets Dec. 10 in Ames.

Temporary layoff/furlough plan taking shape

by Diana Pounds

Details of a temporary layoff/furlough plan for faculty, professional and scientific staff and supervisory and confidential staff are now available on the Human Resource Services web site.

The plan applies to Iowa State's faculty, P&S and S&C staff. Iowa Gov. Chet Culver and AFSCME leadership have a proposal covering AFSCME employees that will be presented to union membership for ratification.

The FY10 Temporary Layoff/Furlough Program requires A-base faculty and staff to take a defined number of days or shifts off without pay between Dec. 1, 2009, and June 30, 2010. B-base (9-month) faculty must take furlough days between Dec. 1, 2009, and May 15, 2010, and in summer months when summer salary is earned.

The details

About the program

Here are key points about the temporary layoff/furlough program for faculty, P&S and S&C staff. For more information, see the program description and FAQ.

  • The program applies to employees with A, B, and P pay bases or K base contracts and supervisory and confidential merit staff, regardless of funding source. Some employees are exempt from the ISU program due to contractual or other obligations. *
  • The pay reduction for A-base faculty and P&S staff temporary layoff/furlough days will be spread across their monthly payroll from Jan. 1 through June 30, 2010. For B-base faculty, the reduction will be spread over the Jan. 1 through May 15, 2010, pay periods. Supervisory and confidential merit staff's paychecks will reflect time off when it is taken.
  • The number of days/shifts employees must take as unpaid time off is based on their salary levels and percent of full-time employment (see tables.).
  • Faculty must schedule furloughs on days that don't conflict with scheduled class times, labs, recitation/discussion sections and exams.
  • Employees will submit temporary layoff/furlough dates to their department chairs or supervisors for approval.
  • Generally, faculty and staff are expected to take time off in whole day or shift increments.
  • To reduce the impact on teaching, B-base faculty are encouraged to take furlough days within the winter or spring break periods when classes are not in session.
  • The expectation is that employees will not do university-related work on temporary layoff/furlough days. Supervisors may not require employees to work, nor may employees volunteer to work.
  • Temporary layoffs or furloughs will not affect accrual of vacation and sick leave.

    • *Employees exempt from the temporary layoff/furlough requirements due to contractual or other obligations include: A, or P base , and S&C staff whose home department code is Ames Laboratory , those holding an H1-B visa, post docs, those retiring by Jan. 31 on the retirement incentive option, and employees on military leave for active duty. AFSCME-covered employees are not included in this temporary layoff/furlough plan.