TO: Principal Investigators, Project Administrators, and Fiscal Administrators
The online Pay Award/Personnel Action Form (PA/PAF) is now available via the Human Resources Portal through Wednesday, July 10, 2024.
This is the second step in the annual performance evaluation period process to elect to provide the pay award/adjustments. Please note this is only applicable for those who submitted performance evaluations by the deadline and are providing their eligible employees with pay adjustment (increase to base salary) or award (one-time payment).
Principal Investigators must complete and submit the PA/PAF no later than 4:30 P.M. on Wednesday, July 10th. Employees will see the pay award or pay adjustment reflected on their pay statement on July 22nd (pay day for the pay period July 1-15, 2024).
A copy of the 2024 RCUH Pay Guidelines will be available for reference. You will only be able to initiate pay awards or pay adjustments for employees who meet the eligibility requirements.
If you have any questions or have difficulty accessing the PA/PAF, please contact RCUH Human Resources at (808) 956-7106 or [email protected].
Effective July 1, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) determined a final rule that increases the minimum salary threshold (known as the Salary Level Test) for Exempt (not eligible for overtime) employees. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Salary Level Test is one of three requirements to qualify for an Exempt classification. In addition to the upcoming change, the DOL has set future increases through year 2027:
Effective July 1, 2024: The minimum salary for Exempt employees is $3,657.33/Mon ($43,888/Year). The minimum pay rate for an Exempt RCUH employee (regardless of FTE) will be $3,658.00/month.
Effective January 1, 2025: The minimum salary for Exempt employees will increase again to $4,888/Mon ($58,656/Year).
Effective July 1, 2027: The DOL will determine the minimum salary based off data at that time and will require salary thresholds to be updated every three years.
In response to this ruling, the RCUH Exempt Pay Schedule has been updated to ensure compliance with the new regulations. At this time, there are no changes to the Non-Exempt Pay Schedule. Any new recruitments must conform with the updated pay schedule. We have identified and are working directly with Principal Investigators (PIs) regarding impacted Exempt employees. PIs have an option to either:
Provide a pay adjustment to meet the minimum salary threshold
Convert FLSA status from Exempt to Non-Exempt (eligible for overtime for hours worked in excess of 40 hours per week)
Since the announcement of the final rule in April 2024, lawsuits have been filed against the DOL from organizations and business groups challenging the salary threshold increases. It is important to plan accordingly despite the legal climate. PIs should take this information into consideration while budgeting and planning for current staff and future staffing.
The July 1, 2024 salary threshold impacts a minimal population of current Exempt employees. However, these employees may not meet the new minimum of their applicable pay range. No immediate action is needed from PIs to address the misalignment, since the salary level will increase again in January, unless it is to address pay equity from a newly posted recruitment.
The January 1, 2025 increase is a substantial increase and will have an effect on a larger population of Exempt employees. The RCUH Exempt Pay Schedule will once again be adjusted to ensure compliance to the scheduled increase. We recognize that this is a short window to adjust to the change. RCUH Human Resources is committed to work with PIs to provide solutions and guidance and will continue to assess and determine best practices, while ensuring compliance with applicable Federal and State regulations. For more information, please refer to the DOL Final Rule and Frequently Asked Questions.
If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Lin at (808) 956-7106 or [email protected].
TO: All Principal Investigators and Fiscal Administrators
The Research Corporation of the University of Hawaiʻi (RCUH) is announcing updates to the RCUH Fringe Benefits Schedule for Fiscal Year July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. The following fringe rates have changed:
Fringe Benefit Type
Fiscal Year 23-24 RateJuly 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024
NEW Fiscal Year 24-25 RateJuly 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025
Change
Vacation Payout Reserve
0.99%
0.45%
-0.54%
Unused Sick Leave Payout Reserve
0.16%
0.24%
0.08%
Unemployment Insurance Reserve
0.36%
0.30%
-0.06%
Life Insurance
$0.137 per $1,000
$0.147 per $1000
Long Term Disability Insurance
$0.221 per $100
$0.179 per $100
Please refer to the RCUH Monthly Health Insurance Premium Rate Sheet for health insurance monthly premium rates which are applicable effective July 1, 2024. Actual employee enrollment (medical plan and tier) will affect fringe rate charged to projects.
The updated Fringe Benefits Schedule is posted on the RCUH Home Page > About > Policies & Procedures > Policy 3.510 Fringe Benefits.
The online PA/PAF (Pay Award/Personnel Action Form) to submit pay actions (award or adjustment) will be available via HR Portal from June 24 through July 10 for an effective date of July 1, 2024. We will provide an update once this is available.
Note for projects that follow the Federal fiscal year: Since the evaluation period is October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024, evaluations will be due with a later deadline. A second round of the online PA/PAF application will be available in September for pay increases or one-time payments with an effective date of October 1, 2024. Additional information will be provided at a later date.
Please contact RCUH Human Resources if you have any questions regarding the Performance Evaluation process at (808) 956-7106 or [email protected]
We are excited to announce that the maximum four (4) nominations for each of the three (3) categories of the RCUH Outstanding Employees of the Year awards—Researcher/Project Manager/Professional, Project Support Staff, Team—has been achieved! We extend our appreciation and thanks to the 12 Principal Investigators (PIs) for their nominations.
RCUH is now accepting one (1) alternate nomination for each of the award categories. The alternate nomination will be advanced only if there is a withdrawal. PIs may email their intent to submit an alternate nomination to [email protected] by May 20, 2024. The intent should include the name(s) of the employee(s) and the category (i.e., Researcher/Project Manager/Professional, Project Support Staff, Team). PIs may submit only one (1) nomination.
Should you have any questions, please see Policy 3.450 or contact RCUH Corporate Services by emailing [email protected].
Deadline to submit Performance Evaluations: June 19, 2024 (Wednesday)
Note for projects that follow the Federal fiscal year: Since the evaluation period is October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024, evaluations will be due with a later deadline. A second round of the online PA/PAF application will be available in September for pay increases or one-time payments with an effective date of October 1, 2024. Additional information will be provided at a later date.
Performance management (e.g., planning, coaching, evaluating, addressing performance issues) is an essential part of a supervisor’s responsibilities. Performance evaluations are used as a tool to measure an employee’s performance, provide valuable feedback and suggestions for improvement, and motivate employees for growth and/or career advancement.There is no “one size fits all” solution for effective performance management. If you’d like to discuss performance management strategies, please contact Kira Higa, Director of Human Resources at [email protected].
Please contact RCUH Human Resources if you have any questions regarding the Performance Evaluation process at (808) 956-7106 or [email protected].
PowerUP! RCUH Open Enrollment Election period is now live!
Annual Election Period:
This year’s annual benefit Open Enrollment (OE) period will be April 24, 2024 – May 17, 2024. This marks your opportunity to elect, waive, or change certain benefit elections for the upcoming plan year: July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025.
ACTION NEEDED: Unlike previous years, we are requiring all benefits-eligible employees to complete the new electronic RCUH Open Enrollment form to confirm their elections for the new plan year.
Open Enrollment Electronic Election Form:
The all-electronic RCUH OE form will allow employees to initiate and save their elections/changes and submit when they are ready through the deadline of Friday, May 17, 2024. Employees may recall their submissions and resubmit up until the deadline on May 17th. Elections/Changes will be effective July 1, 2024.
IMPORTANT: If you receive an error message to update your Primary Beneficiary Contact Information, then click on Life Insurance to bring up the Beneficiary Designation Section.
NOTE: The Open Enrollment form is accessed from a different location than eUpload. Please do not submit Open Enrollment elections via eUpload. All other benefit change requests may still be submitted via eUpload.
Nominations for the Researcher/Project Manager/Professional and Project Support Staff categories are now accepting one (1) alternate each. The Team category—up to 4 individuals—can accept one (1) more nomination and an alternate. The alternate will be advanced only if there is a withdrawal.
Principal Investigators (PIs) may email their intent to submit a nomination to [email protected] by April 28, 2024. The intent should include the name(s) of the employee(s) and the category (i.e., Researcher/Project Manager/Professional, Project Support Staff, Team). PIs may submit only one (1) nomination.
Should you have any questions, please see Policy 3.450 or contact RCUH Corporate Services by emailing [email protected].
This year’s annual benefit OE period will be April 24, 2024 – May 17, 2024. The RCUH annual benefit Open Enrollment (OE) period is your opportunity to elect, waive, or change certain benefit elections for the upcoming plan year – July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025.
Applicable documents (summary of benefits, rate sheets, comparison document), updates, and virtual OE office hours information will be posted on the RCUH Open Enrollment Webpage on April 24, 2024. The RCUH Open Enrollment Webpage will be updated with additional information as we approach the election period, so stay tuned!
Unlike previous years, we are requiring all benefits-eligible employees to complete the new electronic RCUH Open Enrollment form to confirm their elections for the new plan year. Starting Wednesday, April 24th, all benefits-eligible employees will see the new electronic RCUH OE form on their RCUH Employee Self-Service. The electronic RCUH OE form will allow employees to initiate and save their elections/changes and submit when they are ready through the deadline of Friday, May 17, 2024. Employees may recall their submissions and resubmit up until the deadline on May 17th. Elections/Changes will be effective July 1, 2024.
DID YOU KNOW: RCUH Employee Benefit Spotlight Series was created in response to employee feedback on benefits-related topics that mattered to you. Features include: Understanding Your Pay Statement, Healthcare Options, Health Insurance: Qualifying Life Event, and more!
Please note: All employees with a hawaii.edu email may have received an email from EUTF regarding their open enrollment period. This announcement is for State of Hawaii employees, and is not applicable to RCUH employees.
Questions or concerns? Please contact the RCUH Employee Benefits Section at [email protected] or call (808) 956-2326 or (808) 956-7055.
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