Article XIX: Employee Training
Section A. Employee Training
Each department will be required to hold an Employee training/orientation program for all new Employees. The content and length of the program will be determined by the department chairperson or designee with input from the Employees. This program shall be no less than four (4) hours in length, but may be split into multiple sessions held during the semester at the department’s discretion. New Employees appointed to positions not requiring classroom instruction will be provided with a one hour training session specific to their duties to be held at the beginning of the term of employment. Any department in which there are fewer than six new Employees may, at the discretion of the department chairperson or designee, combine their program with that of one or more departments in related fields.
Attendance will not be required for any new Employee who is determined by the department chairperson or designee to already have the skills and experience equivalent to what would be provided in the program. All other new Employees will be required to attend such a program. It is understood that nothing herein precludes the department chairperson or designee from requiring any returning Employees to attend the program. The amount of time commitment to attend such a program by an Employee with a fraction of greater than or equal to .25 shall be reflected in pay at the hourly equivalent of the Employees’ rate*, included in the fraction, or as academic credit for the program. The amount of time commitment to attend such a program by an Employee with a fraction of less than a .25 shall be reflected in pay at the hourly equivalent of the Employee’s rate*, or included in the fraction.
Section B. Communicative Skills Testing and Training
For the purposes of this agreement, “communicative skills” shall be defined as communication in instructional roles in the subject(s) to be taught, both inside and outside of the classroom.
1. Required Testing and Waiver
Any training or testing of communicative skills required by the department or the University as a qualification of employment must be required of all applicants who have not previously been employed in an instructional capacity by the University. Participation in such training or testing will not be required for any applicant who meets the eligibility requirements for an exemption. In addition, participation will not be required of those who are determined by the department chairperson or designee, in consultation with appropriate University resources, to already have the skills and experience equivalent to what would be provided in the training or evaluated in the testing. Waiver criteria shall be public and accessible to all applicants. No exemption to either requirement can be granted on the basis of impermissible factors, as defined by Article IV of this Agreement. Prospective Employees who are informed that they will be required to take the training will be notified of the waiver criteria in writing.
2. Testing Procedure
Prospective Employees may take a test of communicative skills in Term I for employment in Term II, or in Term II for employment in Term I before or after participating in communicative skills training. The testing criteria and rationale will be available to prospective Employees no less than one week before they take the test.
If a prospective Employee passes the test before training, the prospective Employee may, but will not be required to, take the training. If a prospective Employee does not pass the test before training, the prospective Employee may be required to take the training. A prospective Employee who is exempt or waived from testing and training may take the training if space is available in the training classes.
Upon completion of training, testing of communicative skills may be required. Results of such testing may be appealed and re-testing requested by the prospective Employee.
Employees who desire it may request English language assistance. If a department approves such a request, the assistance will be provided by the University. Upon initial employment, departments will inform Employees of this policy.
Section C. Lab Training
An Employee whose duties involve the use, maintenance, or management of a laboratory will be provided sufficient training in that laboratory’s safe usage (i.e., lab training). This may include, but is not limited to, training in the supervision of students, in the conduct of procedures required to be performed by students, in the handling of hazardous materials, and in the operation of lab equipment. Lab training described herein that is provided as part of the appointment shall be reflected in pay at the hourly equivalent of the Employees’ rate*, included in the fraction, or as academic credit for the program.
*The hourly equivalent of the Employee’s rate will be computed by multiplying their Full Time Equivalent (FTE) rate by three (3) and dividing that product by 2,080 hours.
Comments are closed