Classified Staff vs. University Staff Comparison Chart Summary
Classified Staff vs. University Staff Comparison Chart Summary
Governing Rules and Policies
- Classified Staff: Governed by the State of Colorado Personnel Board Rules and Administrative Procedures.
- University Staff: Governed by CU Administrative Policies, Regent Law, and campus policy, exempt from state classified system rules.
Position Management
- Classified Staff: Titles, pay ranges, and qualifications determined by the Colorado Department of Personnel and Administration (DPA).
- University Staff: Titles and requirements determined by the University of Colorado system and campuses, must meet statutory exemption criteria.
Hiring Practices
- Classified Staff: Governed by state rules, applicants must be Colorado residents, and temporary employment is limited to 9 months in a rolling 12-month period.
- University Staff: Governed by University of Colorado Regent Law and Policies, no residency requirement, temporary employment typically 9 months, not exceeding 12 months without a 6-month break.
Employment Rights
- Classified Staff: Entitled to progressive discipline, grievance, and state appeals processes, with retention rights in layoffs.
- University Staff: Employees-at-will, no retention rights in layoffs, and no progressive discipline or grievance processes.
Compensation
- Classified Staff: Governed by state rules.
- University Staff: Governed by Regent laws and policies.
Performance Management
- Classified Staff: Mandatory performance plan, coaching session, and evaluation annually from August 1st to July 31st.
- University Staff: Annual performance evaluation from July 1st to June 30th.
Health Care Benefits
- Both classified and university staff with a regular (non-temporary) 50% or greater benefits-eligible position are eligible for CU Health Plans.
Life Insurance Benefits
- Both classified and university staff are automatically enrolled in a $50,000 basic term life and $57,000 AD&D insurance policy.
- Additional life insurance can be purchased through PERA.
Disability Benefits
- Classified Staff: Automatically covered for short-term disability, can purchase long-term disability, and PERA provides short-term disability and disability retirement.
- University Staff: Option to purchase short-term disability, automatically covered for long-term disability after one year.
Retirement Benefits
- Classified Staff: Required to enroll in PERA.
- University Staff: Eligible for the University of Colorado’s 401(a) Optional Retirement Plan, with a one-time irrevocable election between PERA and the University Pension/Savings Plans.
Leave Accrual Rates
- Classified Staff: Annual leave accrual based on years of service, with a maximum accrual of 384 hours. Sick leave accrual at 6.66 hours per month, up to 360 hours.
- University Staff: Earn 14.67 hours of annual leave per month (22 days per year), up to a maximum accrual of 44 days. Sick leave accrual at 10 hours per month, with no maximum accrual.
Family Medical Leave
- Both classified and university staff are eligible for FMLA and Parental Leave, with slight differences in eligibility and duration.
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