Meetings will debate civil service alternatives

The university will conduct town hall meetings for classified staff to discuss whether alternatives to civil service would be of interest to them.

A work group chaired by Lindy Eakin, vice provost for administration and finance, and composed of Classified Senate representatives and human resources staff is soliciting feedback from classified staff members to determine if such a recommendation should be made to the chancellor and provost.

According to the Work Group for Alternatives to Civil Service, eliminating civil service could benefit classified staff by taking the best features of the existing system while removing some of the barriers to administration.

It would be possible to eliminate or simplify some of the more complicated external regulatory restrictions while maintaining job protections, benefits and appeal rights.

For example, the change would allow KU to compensate and reward staff better by using tuition and block grant funds available to the university.

Two-thirds of any pay increase would be automatic, and the remaining one-third would be based on performance. Two-thirds of any pay increase would be available for employees who receive “satisfactory” or better ratings. The remaining one-third of any pay raise would be based upon performance.

Meetings will be in Alderson Auditorium at the Kansas Union and are scheduled from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25; 2 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26; and 8 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27.

Discussion papers outlining a general overview of the major components of a new personnel system are being distributed to people who may be affected if the change occurs. The components include systems for staff recruitment and selection, compensation, performance appraisal and job correction/protection.

Feedback on those issues is welcomed. Suggestions or comments can be sent to human resources at hrdept@ku.edu.

No registration will be required. However, employees should seek supervisory approval to attend one of the sessions. The town hall meetings are considered work time. For more information, contact Ola Faucher at 864-7411.