Open Range Pay Plan changes to increase flexibility

UI staff members employed under the Open Range Pay Plan will notice some
changes in the plan's structure, effective Aug. 28, according to Denise
Hendricks, assistant vice chancellor and director of Staff Human Resources.

Overall, the revisions - implemented as a result of recommendations by
review committees and employee surveys that have taken place over the past
several years - are expected to result in increased flexibility for
employees and their employing units. 

"While the structure of the plan is different, some components remain the
same and new components offer greater flexibility," Hendricks said. "As in
the past, there will be an across-the-board market movement increase." 

One of the biggest changes in the plan, however, is that steps in the
salary ranges have been eliminated. And while the merit component will
continue, departments will have greater latitude in their ability to
recognize and reward employee performance, Hendricks said. In addition to
the across-the-board 3.5 percent salary increase for all Open Plan
employees, employees may be eligible to receive a merit increase - in any
amount - up to 6.5 percent.

Another change is the elimination of the periodic, or "anniversary,"
increases. "We anticipate that this change will have limited impact since,
in practice - because of funding limitations - employees have not received
these increases for some time," Hendricks said.

For more information about changes in the Open Range plan, contact Cheryl
Hahn at 333-2136.