Wage and Salary Administration

Policy number: 7.8

Policy section: Human Resources

Revised Date: August 4, 2020

1. Policy Statement

The University administers compensation policies and programs that reflect the value of job duties and responsibilities, offer competitive and equitable pay, and provide opportunities for pay growth based on available resources and performance contributions.

2. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to regulate the administration of salaries for all University employees.

3. Applicability

This policy applies to all full-time and part-time employees.

4. Department Administrative Rules, Procedures, and Guidelines

The Department of Human Resources, under the purview of the Vice President for Business and Finance, has oversight and administrative responsibility for this policy and shall promulgate departmental rules, procedures, and guidelines pursuant to this policy.

5. Compensation Goals

The University, in compliance with all federal and state laws, has the following goals and objectives in administering its pay plan:

  1. To pay salary and benefits that allow the University to attract and retain highly qualified personnel, and to be competitive with appropriate labor markets.
  2. To reward meritorious performance by focusing salary increases on individual achievement and contribution.
  3. To pay equal pay for equal work, and to develop consistency in salaries paid to persons performing equal work on jobs which require equal skill, effort and responsibility.
  4. To operate within the budget established by the University for staff compensation.
  5. To communicate effectively to enhance understanding between employees and supervisors about the key elements of the compensation program, including, but not limited to, the pay plan, performance appraisal, and classification system.
  6. Performance reviews should be completed annually. The timing and process used for performance reviews may vary based on departmental needs.

6. Administration Responsibilities

While managers and employees throughout the University have responsibility for the University's goals, the Department of Human Resources oversees the administrative aspects of the program. Questions related to the pay plan, salary surveys, position classifications, job descriptions, the performance appraisal program, and compensation policies should be referred to the Compensation Manager, who is part of the Department of Human Resources.

7. Questions

Questions regarding this policy should be directed to the Department of Human Resources at hradmin@smu.edu.

Revised: August 4, 2020

Adopted: June 1, 1994

The official University Policy Manual is housed in the Office of the University Secretary. The University Secretary is responsible for maintaining new and updated policies and for maintaining this website. Should the official University Policy Manual conflict with any internal policies, procedures, departmental administrative rules, or guidelines, that may be contained in manuals provided by schools, departments, or divisions within the University, the official University Policy Manual controls.