Pay Cut/ Furlough Q&A

See the pay-cut/ furlough salary bands (PDF) for staff and faculty.

The questions and answers below reflect the ongoing campus communication about economic issues that affect UCSD, including pay cuts and furloughs.

• If you have questions that are not addressed in the UCOP Q & A or in the items below, please contact Employee Relations (staff employees) or Academic Personnel (academic employees).
• Exclusively represented employees may also contact their union representatives as the salary reduction/ furlough program for represented employees is subject to collective bargaining.

Your questions:

Added Aug. 30, 2009
Q: How will the furlough plan apply to employees on individual employment contracts?
A: Individual employment contracts will be revised consistent with provisions in current contracts governing compensation and changes in salary. The revision will reflect the application of the Salary reduction/Furlough Program for the period Sept. 1, 2009 through Aug. 31, 2010. The revision will be summarized in an amendment to the contract and signed by both the employee and the University.

Added Aug. 30, 2009
Q: I’m subject to the salary reduction/furlough program and am considering transferring to a position not affected by the salary reduction/furlough program. Will accrued furlough hours be lost?
A: No. Accrued furlough hours will transfer with you to the new position and must be used, with your supervisor’s approval, by Aug. 31, 2010.

Q: Are non-exempt employees subject to the salary reduction/ furlough program allowed to work overtime?
A: Yes. With their supervisor's approval, employees can work overtime. Overtime is approved strictly for business necessity and only as needed for compelling circumstances. The approval of overtime is not intended to compensate employees for salary reductions resulting from the salary reduction/furlough plan. Overtime approved and used during the salary reduction/furlough plan will be subject to post-audit at UC San Diego and at the Office of the President to review its appropriateness.

Q: At what salary rate will overtime be compensated?
A: Overtime will be compensated at the pre-cut salary rate.

Q: Will my December earnings be reduced by the 6 mandated furlough days during the holiday closure?
A: No. Non-represented academics and staff who are covered by the furlough plan and who are required to use 6 furlough days during the holiday closure will not incur 6 unpaid work days loss to their income for that time period. The salary reduction/furlough program will be reducing affected employees' salary by anywhere from 4% to 10%, dependent upon their salary. This reduction will be on a monthly basis. Therefore, even though there are 6 furlough days mandated between Dec. 19 and Jan. 3, your pay will not be reduced more than the percentage assigned to your salary band.

Q: How are furlough days reported?
A: Use of furlough days will be recorded in the same way as vacation and sick leave. Non-exempt employees report furlough leave in 1/4-hour increments, and exempt employees report furlough leave in full-day increments.

Q: Are employees allowed to have flexible work arrangements?
A: Employees affected by the salary reduction/furlough program will still be able to work alternative work schedules and/ or telecommute with their supervisor's and department head's approval.

Q: Am I allowed to use furlough hours during the month I am accruing them?
A: Yes. Employees may use furlough hours during the month they are accruing.

Q: Does the salary reduction/ furlough program apply to spouses or domestic partners who are both employed by UCSD?
A: Yes. All employees who are subject to the salary reduction/ furlough plan will participate for 12 months, until Aug. 31, 2010.

Q: Are extramural split-funded employees subject to the salary reduction/furlough plan?
A: If they are subject to the salary reduction/ furlough plan, split-funded employees' pay will be reduced proportionate to the affected funding source.

Q: Can accrued furlough days be applied to the disability waiting period?
A: Yes. You are considered on pay status during furlough days.

Q: Will there be any mandatory campus closures?
A: So far, the only campus closure announced by Chancellor Fox is for the last 2 weeks of December 2009. See the campus notice about this closure.

Q: If I separate from UCSD, will I be paid for accrued furlough days?
A: No. Employees who separate from the university will not be paid for accrued furlough days.

Q: I am participating in the START program. Am I exempt from the salary reduction/furlough plan?
A: Yes, if your START percentage of reduction is equal to or more than the salary reduction percent assigned to your salary band. If it is not, and you are subject to the salary reduction/ furlough plan, you will not be allowed to continue in the START program.

Q: Can I use accrued furlough days before the mandated December holiday closure?
A: Employees can use furlough days as they accrue with the permission of their supervisor.

Q: Will my department be allowed to shut down on days not mandated by the Chancellor?
A: At this time, the only mandated closures allowed are those announced by the Chancellor.