Bucknell University
PA-9: Employee Compensation

In 2002, Bucknell University instituted a wage floor of $9.00/hour ($18,720 annually based on a 40-hour work week) for non-exempt staff who had satisfactorily met the expectations of their positions for four or more years, and in subsequent years, the wage floor has been increased based on the Poverty Guidelines issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which assures a consistent, reliable, and credible approach. Many other organizations use these Guidelines to determine eligibility for certain programs including Head Start, Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Food Stamp Program, National School Lunch Program, Job Corps, and Youth Activities under the Workforce Investment Act, to name a few. Human Resources determines the hourly wage floor rate each year based on the poverty guidelines for a family of four with one wage earner, and shares with the Director of Business Services, who is responsible for oversight of various business and auxiliary service units of the University. For 2014-15, the wage floor rate is $11.47/hour. Over the course of the first four years of employment, a wage floor adjustment will be implemented for the affected staff members. Generally, staff members whose hourly wage rate is below the wage floor will receive an adjustment of $0.50/hour each year. While the administration of the wage floor varies for individual groups, all abide to the 4 year guideline.

In 2002, Bucknell University instituted a wage floor of $9.00/hour ($18,720 annually based on a 40-hour work week) for non-exempt staff who had satisfactorily met the expectations of their positions for four or more years, and in subsequent years, the wage floor has been increased based on the Poverty Guidelines issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which assures a consistent, reliable, and credible approach. Many other organizations use these Guidelines to determine eligibility for certain programs including Head Start, Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Food Stamp Program, National School Lunch Program, Job Corps, and Youth Activities under the Workforce Investment Act, to name a few.

Human Resources determines the hourly wage floor rate each year based on the poverty guidelines for a family of four with one wage earner. Because Bucknell provides a generous benefits package, including health care coverage (with cost-share based on salary), the calculated wage floor should provide an adequate standard of living for Bucknell staff members. For 2014-15, the wage floor rate is $11.47/hour. Each year, Human Resources, in consultation with Facilities management, implements a wage floor adjustment for those members of the support staff whose compensation is below the wage floor rate. Generally, staff members whose hourly wage rate is below the wage floor will receive an adjustment of $0.50/hour each year. Wage floor adjustments are funded through the staff market adjustment budget established each year.

Human Resources determines the hourly wage floor rate each year based on the poverty guidelines for a family of four with one wage earner. Because Bucknell provides a generous benefits package, including health care coverage (with cost-share based on salary), the calculated wage floor should provide an adequate standard of living for Bucknell staff members. For 2014-15, the wage floor rate is $11.47/hour. Each year, Human Resources, in consultation with Facilities management, implements a wage floor adjustment for those members of the support staff whose compensation is below the wage floor rate. Generally, staff members whose hourly wage rate is below the wage floor will receive an adjustment of $0.50/hour each year. Wage floor adjustments are funded through the staff market adjustment budget established each year.

All adhere to at the very least the state minimum wage. And staff are reviewed on an annual basis, if here for a year or more, are eligible for a merit adjustment.

All adjunct and lecturer faculty members are at or above the sustainable compensation.

Student wages use the following guidelines to determine appropriate wage rates for student employees, which are applicable to all students: Category 1 - $7.25-7.75 - Requires basic skills that can be readily learned on-the-job. Work is fairly routine and usually supervised by a student or staff manager. Examples: Stuffing envelopes; shelving books; filing; monitoring equipment; simple data entry. Category 2 - $7.50 – 8.50 - Requires moderate interpersonal, customer service, and/or technical skills that require training beyond what can be learned only on-the-job. Works with occasional direct supervision. Examples: Working at customer service sites; reception duties including answering the phone, making appointments; basic word processing & spreadsheet work; query into a specialized database. Category 3 - $7.75 – 8.75 - Requires highly specialized knowledge and skills, and functions in an independent manner. Regularly required to exercise discretion and to demonstrate problem- solving skills without direct supervision. Examples: Computer troubleshooting; data entry into a specialized database; technical media services. *In addition to the above rates, annual increases of $.25/hour may be given in all categories.