Classification and Compensation

Total hours worked by wage employees at Mason are limited to 29 hours or less on average per week over a 12-month period, effective immediately. Supervisors must ensure the maximum number of hours is not exceeded. If hours worked in a single week exceed 29, supervisors must ensure that hours worked in other weeks are limited so that work hours average to 29 or less per week over a 12-month period.

We are waiting for responses to comments made to the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service asking to adopt safe harbor methods which higher education employers may use for determining when students work on campus. We will communicate the response from the federal agencies as soon as we have an update. In the mean time, assume student employees are covered by the limit.

May 1 through April 30 of the following year. A new measurement period begins every May 1.

The employee is not permitted to work for the remainder of the measurement period and must be terminated immediately via Electronic Personnel Action Form (EPAF). If an EPAF is not received within 5 days HR will terminate the position.

You may rehire the employee effective the first day of the next measurement period which begins on May 1. Rehiring during the same measurement period in which the wage employee has already worked the maximum hours is not allowed by the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Supervisors and the employee can view wage employee's total hours worked to date during the current measurement period when approving the time sheet via Patriot Web by accessing leave balances.

1. Available Balance for ACA Wage Hours is the total hours paid as of the previous pay period.
2. The measurement period year is calculated by using the Month and Day of the Banked Date Available.

For example: Measurement Period Begin Date 5/1/2013 - Measurement Period End Date 4/30/2014. This employee has worked a total of 419.75 hours to date for all wage positions and can work an additional 1,030.25 thru 4/30/2014. The new measurement begins 5/1/2014 and the wage hours reset to zero.

Human Resources audits wage hours worked on a routine basis. The employee's primary job supervisor is sent an email when hours have exceeded or may potentially exceed the limit. Supervisors should review and change the work schedule immediately to avoid exceeding the limit.

• Budget the hour limit over the duration of the project.
• Review hours worked for your wage pool to redistribute hours among other wage employees.
• If funding permits add an additional wage employee to the project.
• If the project has an extended duration, work with your fiscal manager to obtain a classified position either full time or part time. Please reference the Position Conversion Guide and contact your HR Consultant for assistance.
• Be aware of additional wage assignments outside your department. The hours worked is the sum of all wage positions.
• Counsel the employee to assist in monitoring wage hours. Employees can view the ACA Wage Hours Leave Code (explain this is not leave available, but hours worked) on Patriot Web.
• Make sure employees understand that when they reach the maximum hour limit, they will no longer be able to work for the remaining measurement period.