Dear Colleagues,
I am pleased to announce the University of California Office of the President has approved merit increases for the 2017-18 fiscal year. The authorized increase — announced July 19 and effective July 1 — is 3 percent of the pooled salaries for merit-eligible staff.
Though the Office of the President authorizes the merit program each year in its budget process, campuses are given flexibility as to how and when they pay out the earned increases. We’re taking steps for fast action here at UC Merced.
Eligible employees can expect the increase reflected in their August paychecks retroactive to July 1. Bi-weekly staff should see their increases in the Aug. 22 paycheck. Monthly staff should expect to see their earned increases in the Aug. 31 paycheck.
The merit pay program applies to non-represented staff in career, partial-year career appointments, and eligible contract employees who meet these performance criteria. The program excludes student employees and anyone covered by Academic Personnel policies. Wages for union-represented employees are governed by labor contracts and are not affected by this program.
Our pay-for-performance model aligns individual employee objectives, milestones and targets with the university’s goals. The goal of this model is to improve employee and organizational performance by rewarding individual employee effort and contributions. Employees who meet the expectations of their jobs or perform above expectations receive an adjustment in salary based on that performance.
As in previous years, employees will receive a formal notification of their individual merit allocation and base salary increase from the Human Resources Compensation unit. Should you have any questions about this process, please contact David Ellington, Director of Total Rewards .
Performance-based pay increases are critical to engaging exceptional staff. You deserve recognition of the exemplary contributions you continue to make in delivering the mission of the University of California.
I want to extend my deep appreciation for your individual and collective efforts through the 2017-18 performance cycle. I am extremely proud of the tremendous efforts and meaningful contributions you each continue to make as we work to build the future here in the heart of California.
Sincerely,
Veronica Mendez
Vice Chancellor
Chief Financial Officer
