Compensation

Overview

Lesley University is committed to excellence in all that it undertakes and treating its staff and faculty fairly and equitably. This commitment is met, in part, by providing a total compensation package (salary plus benefits) that enables the University to attract and retain highly skilled and talented employees at all levels.

Our comprehensive total compensation package is designed to provide all of our employees with a variety of value-added programs and services. At Lesley, total compensation is a combination of base-pay, incentives (bonus program and recognition awards), and benefits.

Lesley University believes strongly in rewarding performance. To support our competitive, performance-based pay practices, we make every effort to ensure that our salaries are both externally competitive and internally equitable.

Salary Plan Administration

Human Resources has overall responsibility for direction and administration of the compensation and classification program and will evaluate positions for inclusion in the plan, maintain the master set of position descriptions, and provide each employee with the position description covering primary functions, responsibilities and requirements.

Salary Structure

Lesley University's salary philosophy is to pay employees equitably and fairly while being fiscally responsible. Human Resources establishes salary grades for all non-faculty positions with minimum to maximum pay ranges for each grade. Refer to the salary schedule [pdf] on Human Resources' website for current pay ranges. Employees will not be paid at a rate less than the minimum for their grade. The program is based on a position/job description [doc] for each position, which is completed by the employee and/or the manager, approved by the supervisor, and then classified by the Department of Human Resources. The position is assigned to a pay grade with respective salary ranges in accordance with a series of factors which collectively measure the level of skill, effort, responsibility and working conditions within each job. Human Resources will conduct periodic reviews to assess the accuracy and competitiveness of the salary schedule and will make changes as indicated.

Pay ranges vary for certain positions, depending on the recruitment pool, whether certain skill sets are in increasing demand, or whether there is a shortage of individuals with a specific expertise. Therefore, market pay levels for specific positions may increase slowly or aggressively.

Faculty salaries are established through the Provost's Office. Salaries for administrators, academic administrators with faculty rank, and administrative staff positions are established through the Human Resources compensation and classification program.

Job/Position Description

The Job/Position Description documents the essential functions of the position, and each employee should have an up-to-date version of his/her position/job description [doc]. This form is utilized by Lesley University to create a new position, record significant changes to an existing position, compare position description contents with survey data, and provide supporting documentation to a Manager's request for a salary review by Human Resources.

Starting Salaries for New Hires

Salary offers are commensurate with experience and are normally placed at the lower end of the salary range for the specific grade. Budget, market issues, and internal equity should also be considered when setting salaries for new hires. The department head must work with Human Resources to formulate and agree on the appropriate salary before an offer is extended. Compensation for newly hired staff is generally based on education, experience and skills that the applicant brings to the workplace.

• Hiring managers may recruit within budgetary restraints up through the mid-point of the range recommended by Human Resources.
• Recruitment beyond the mid-point of the classified range must be approved by the VP/Dean, in conjunction with Human Resources and reviewed by the budget office to confirm available funding for final approval.

Changes in Employment or Pay

Employees who are interested in pursuing career opportunities at Lesley University are encouraged to meet with Human Resources to learn more about the specific positions available and the training, experience and minimum entrance requirements for each position; check the listed job postings.

Please contact the Employment and Staffing Manager if you are interested in pursuing a career advancement opportunity, or learning about a posted position.

Moving to a Different Job:

• Lateral Move/Reorganization:
  If you transfer to a position at the same grade level, your current rate of pay may, or may not change, depending on the responsibilities and skills required for the new position.
• Promotion:
  In order to be considered for a promotion (a different job at a higher grade), you must have been working in your current position at Lesley for at least six months. The hiring manager, in conjunction with Human Resources, will determine who are the most qualified applicants and are eligible for an interview. In order to be scheduled for an interview, you must meet the minimum requirements for the posting, including any additional skills and experience required for the position. To be considered for a posted position, you must apply on-line. If you become a finalist for a position, the hiring manager may have access to your personnel file. If you are offered the new position, your current and new supervisor will mutually determine the start date for the new position, not to exceed four weeks from the offer date. Human Resources will advise employees of any changes in compensation and benefits resulting from the promotion. A promotion is determined when an internal applicant is selected for a position in a higher grade. As with a new hire, compensation will be determined based on the education, experience and skills he/she brings to the position. Promotions on or before April 1st will be considered for cost of living (COLA) increase.
• Temporary Transfer:
  If you are assigned to replace a co-worker in a higher graded job, or fill a vacancy at higher level for at least six weeks, you are eligible for a temporary salary increase in the form of a stipend; retroactive from the initial start date. The Department Manager, in consultation with Human Resources, determines the amount of the stipend. At the conclusion of the temporary transfer the stipend will cease, and you will be paid at your previous rate.

Change or Reclassification to Your Existing Job:

• Upgrade:
  If the scope of your position changes due to a significant increase in responsibilities, your position will be reviewed by Human Resources and your Department Manager; and may be upgraded. You will be paid according to the new responsibilities and availability of funds based on a review of internal and external market factors.
• Downgrade:
  In the event that you are demoted to a job in a lower range, your pay may be reduced. The new pay rate will be established, after consultation with Human Resources, and may be adjusted accordingly.

TYPES of SALARY INCREASES:

• Reclassification:
  Positions that have been reclassified due to a significant increase in job responsibilities may result in a job grade change. In the event that the job grade does not change the incumbent may be eligible for an incremental raise within the same grade. If there is a change in job grade the provisions that govern job promotion would apply in that instance. The only difference is that the effective date of the personnel action would have no bearing on one's eligibility for COLA. Reclassification of a position should be planned and budgeted for in the fiscal year in which it may occur.
• COLA - (Cost of Living Adjustment) Increases:
  In the event COLA increases are awarded they will be effective July 1st of the new fiscal year. The President, in conjunction with the Cabinet and the Board of Trustees, will determine the percentage of the COLA increase. Newly hired or promoted employees with effective personnel action dates on or before April 1st of the current fiscal year are eligible for the COLA increase. Anyone hired after April 1st, would not be eligible until July 1st of the following fiscal year.
• Equity Increases:
  Equity increases should only be requested when the grade assignment is correct but the salary within the range may not be commensurate with the experience, skills and longevity in the position. Equity increases should be planned and budgeted for in the fiscal year in which they would be awarded.
• Technical Pay Compensation Schedule: Professional, supervisory and managerial positions that require technical skills may qualify for "technical pay" when the external market exceeds the established compensation scheduled adopted by the University. Technical pay classification assignment will be based on the same criteria used for all administrative and staff positions.