Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Staff Policy Manual?
The Staff Policy Manual (Manual) is the official documented statement of the University's policies concerning terms and conditions of employment and related human resources matters for staff members. The University intends to abide by these policies. Staff members also are expected to know the policies and abide by them. Policies may be changed in the future, as needed or appropriate, and will be communicated to the University community.
Who approved the Manual?
The contents of the Manual were developed, considered, revised and recommended by the Staff Affairs Committee, which worked on the policies for over a year in consultation with the campus community and other knowledgeable parties. The Committee included staff members from different levels and classifications in various departments of the University. The Committee unanimously recommended that the University approve the Manual. After review by Vice President Bob Warren, the President's Cabinet endorsed the recommended policies and authorized their implementation. The Board of Trustees gave final approval to the Staff Policy Manual at its October 23, 1998 meeting.
Can I obtain a hard copy of the policies?
The Manual is available for reading and printing (one policy at a time) from the University's web site, the address of which is www.scu.edu/hr. Staff members may also request a hard copy of any particular policy from their department heads or Human Resources. Human Resources will maintain an updated hard-copy of the Manual onsite at 475 El Camino Real, Second Floor and will keep another one on reserve at Orradre Library.
Whom should I contact for general questions or suggestions for policy changes?
Staff members may discuss policies with their managers and supervisors or may also contact Human Resources (HR) for further clarification. Suggestions for changes to policies may be given, in writing, to any member of the Staff Affairs Committee or to the HR service desk, x4392. The Assistant Vice President for Human Resources is the University officer who is responsible to maintain the authorized, updated version of the Manual on the Web and to provide official interpretations of the policies it contains, when needed.
Why has the University asked that I sign an acknowledgment regarding the policy manual?
The University asks that staff members read and sign the acknowledgment in order to confirm that staff members know how to access the Manual and are aware of the importance of the Manual to their employment. Please read the acknowledgment and feel free to ask any questions of your manager, supervisor or HR. (Please note that a staff member may not be treated adversely because she/he elects not to sign the acknowledgment. Supervisors will simply note, for the personnel record, that the staff member was apprised of the contents and received a copy of the acknowledgment.)
Does the Manual contain an "at-will" employment policy?
All general terms and conditions of employment for staff, including policies governing termination of employment, are set forth in the Manual. Staff covered by a collective bargaining agreement and members of the academic staff also have separate written agreements and policies, respectively, governing their employment.
If a staff member believes that University management decision(s) about his/her employment have not been consistent with a policy, he/she has access to the conflict resolution procedures (see policy 309) contained in the Manual. Those procedures are the exclusive means to resolve these or other issues that may be related in any way to the University policies contained in the Manual.
Does the Manual have a policy concerning how to resolve employment complaints, including disputes about layoffs or dismissals?
Yes. If a staff member believes that University management decision(s) about his/her employment have not been consistent with a policy, he/she has access to the conflict resolution procedures (see policy 309) contained in the Manual. Those procedures are the exclusive means to resolve these or other issues that may be related in any way to the University policies contained in the Manual.