University of Missouri System

Human Resources Policy Manual

Workplace

HR-501 Seniority Q&As

1. Does a Service/Maintenance employee retain occupational group seniority when he/she transfers into a non union-eligible position in the same department?

Yes. The employee retains his/her occupational group seniority but does not continue to accrue while in the non union-eligible position.

2. If an employee transfers to a new department and later transfers back to the former department, what is the impact on his/her departmental seniority?

Once an employee transfers out of a department, departmental seniority is lost unless the employee transfers back prior to expiration of the one (1)-month qualifying period. (See HR 118 Layoffs for special provision for employees in layoff status.)

3. How is an employee's seniority impacted if the employee is returned to the former department during the qualifying period but the position is no longer available?

If no position is available, the employee is placed on a six (6)-month leave of absence. The employee would retain seniority in the former department for the period of the leave. While the employee is in leave status, he/she would not accrue seniority.

4. Does seniority change if an employee transfers to another department?

Yes, although a transfer does not impact an employee's University seniority, it does change department seniority. Department seniority is calculated based on the employee's service in the new department. For Service and Maintenance employees, the transfer will also impact occupational seniority.

5. What are the relevant dates for calculating seniority?

The relevant dates for calculating seniority are as follows:

Classification Date -- The first day of regular employment in an occupational group within a department only Service and Maintenance employees have an occupation group date (classification date) .

Department Date -- The first day of regular continuous employment within a department.

University Date -- The first day of regular continuous employment at the University of Missouri.

A change in a regular employee's status (i.e., a break in service) may change his/her classification, department, and University date.

6. What is meant by "occupational group seniority" for service and maintenance classifications?

Occupational groups are applicable only for the service and maintenance classifications and consist of separate job families which share similar knowledge and skills. A list of job titles by occupational group is available from Human Resource Services.

7. For service and maintenance personnel, what does "good standing" mean?

Good standing means that an employee must not be on disciplinary review. His/her record must not contain a suspension or two (2) written disciplinary letters within the previous six(6)-month period. Documentation of an oral warning should not be considered a written warning.

Date Created: 9/26/97

Last Updated: 9/1/04