Compensation Policy - 63.04
College Procedure Number/Title:
- 63.04.01 Attendance Reports
- 63.04.02 Overtime and Compensatory Time
- 63.04.04 Expense Reimbursement
- 63.04.05 Hours of Work/Payment of Wages
- 63.04.06 Merit Pay (Faculty)
- 63.04.07 Merit Pay (Staff)
- 63.04.10 Outside Employment -- see 63.09.12
- 63.04.11 Salary Administration and Schedules
- 63.04.12 Flexible Scheduling
- 63.04.13 Emergency Call-In
- 63.04.15 Phased Retirement/Knowledge Transfer
Howard Community College maintains a competitive compensation program consistent with available fiscal resources and in compliance with federal, state, and county laws and regulations pertaining to wage and salary practices. To ensure fair and competitive compensation, the college periodically reviews salaries. The board of trustees approves the salary schedules for employees, which are updated annually or as needed.
The college recognizes the need to increase employee salaries to offset some of the annual cost-of-living increases. A cost-of-living adjustment is an increase in pay or benefits that often depends on the rising cost of goods and services. These increases are an institutional priority, and when funding is available for them, they serve as an equitable method for the college to maintain competitive standing within the local labor market and support economic considerations for all employees.
In addition, the college recognizes the hard work and dedication of outstanding employees by offering a merit adjustment when funding is available. Merit adjustments are performance-based, one-time awards and are not added to the employee’s base salary or base hourly rate.
The two compensation adjustments make up the college’s annual comprehensive pay program. Any compensation adjustment is subject to available resources. Any cost-of-living adjustment is added to the employee’s base salary or base hourly rate annually. Merit adjustments are one-time and are not added to the employee’s base salary or base hourly rate; this adjustment is referred to as a non-base merit adjustment.
Both the non-base merit adjustment and cost-of-living adjustment can fluctuate year to year, depending on funding received from the state and county. Non-base merit adjustments are based on performance evaluations; all eligible employees receive the cost-of-living adjustment if available.
Effective Date: 07/01/23
President's Office Use: CHRO