Sec. 1 Purpose
The purposes of this Policy are (1) to identify the standards of conduct applicable to all employees and (2) to provide a procedure for the discipline and dismissal of Classified Employees. The provisions and procedures set forth in this Policy shall not confer rights to employees that are contrary to the employment-at-will doctrine.
Sec. 2 Principles
It is the Policy of The University of Texas System Administration to encourage fair and efficient processes to resolve disputes arising out of the employment relationship and to meet the requirements of state and federal law. While effectively identifying and correcting unacceptable work performance or conduct through progressive discipline is encouraged, U. T. System Administration reserves the right to determine the appropriate level of disciplinary action based on the seriousness of unacceptable conduct or work performance at issue.
Sec. 3 Applicability
3.1 The Standards of Conduct in Section 4 are applicable to all U. T. System Administration employees.
3.2 Except as detailed in this Section, the policy and procedures in Sections 5 – 7 are applicable to conduct or job performance of a Classified Employee that results in a decision to impose a disciplinary action of demotion, suspension without pay, or dismissal.
3.3 Sections 5 – 7 of this Policy do not apply to:
a) police who are subject to other approved discipline or dismissal procedures;
b) suspension with pay pending investigation of allegations relating to an employee;
c) decisions not to offer reappointment to persons whose appointment for a stated period of one year or less expires at the end of such period without the necessity of notice of nonrenewal as provided in the Rules and Regulations of the U. T. System Board of Regents or the U. T. System Administration’s Policies;
d) Administrative & Professional employees;
e) persons employed in positions that require student status as a condition of employment; or
f) dismissal of employees
i. who occupy positions that are dependent upon funding from a specific source and such funding is not received;
ii. as a result of a reorganization;
iii. because of financial exigency;
iv. during any probationary period;
v. who are appointed for a stated period that is less than six months;
vi. who are appointed at a per diem or hourly rate and work on an as-needed basis;
vii. who have not attained or maintained the necessary certification, licensure, clearance, or suitability (this includes but is not limited to maintaining a satisfactory criminal background as determined by the appropriate executive officer or designee in accordance with U. T. System's criminal background check policy) for their position; or
viii. who have exhausted applicable leave entitlements.
Sec. 4 Employee Standards of Conduct
Each employee is expected to become familiar with the performance criteria for his or her particular job and with all rules, procedures, and standards of conduct established by the U. T. System Board of Regents, the U. T. System Administration, and the employee’s department. An employee who does not fulfill the responsibilities set out by such performance criteria, rules, procedures, and standards of conduct may be subject to discipline.
All employees, including Administrative & Professional, Classified, temporary and contract employees, are expected to obey all federal, state, and local laws. Any employee who violates federal, state, or local law, Regents’ Rules and Regulations, U.T. System Policies, or U.T. System Administration Policies and Procedures may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal.
Sec. 5 Classified Employee Discipline and Dismissal Policy and Procedure
In accordance with Sections 3.2 – 3.3, this section applies only to Classified Employees.
5.1 Classified Employee Conduct Subject to Disciplinary Action.
a) Work Performance. Work performance is to be judged by the supervisor’s evaluation of the quality and quantity of work performed by each employee. Failure of an employee to maintain satisfactory work performance standards or to meet a reasonable and objective measure of efficiency and productivity may constitute grounds for disciplinary action up to and including dismissal. The term “work performance” includes all aspects of an employee’s work.
b) Unacceptable Conduct.
i. All employees are expected to maintain standards of conduct suitable and acceptable to the work environment. Disciplinary action up to and including dismissal, may be imposed for unacceptable conduct.
ii. Examples of unacceptable conduct include, but are not limited to:
1) falsification of timesheets, employment records, or other institutional records;
2) neglect of duties;
3) smoking anywhere except in designated smoking areas;
4) gambling, participating in lotteries, or any other games of chance on the premises at any time;
5) soliciting, collecting money, or circulating petitions on the premises other than within the rules and regulations of the institution;
6) bringing intoxicants or drugs onto the premises of the institution, using intoxicants or drugs, having intoxicants or drugs in one’s possession, or being under the influence of intoxicants or drugs on the premises at any time;
7) abuse or waste of tools, equipment, fixtures, property, supplies, or goods of the institution;
8) creating or contributing to unhealthy or unsanitary conditions;
9) violations of safety rules or accepted safety practices;
10) failure to cooperate with a supervisor or coworker, insubordination, interference with work productivity, or disruptive conduct;
11) disorderly conduct, harassment of other employees (including any violation of HOP 3.7.1 Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct or use of abusive language on the premises);
12) fighting, encouraging a fight, or threatening, attempting, or causing injury to another person on the premises;
13) illegal or fraudulent activity, theft, dishonesty, or unauthorized use of institutional property including but not limited to: financial misstatements or irregularities, conflicts of interest, unethical conduct, or misuse of records and confidential information;
14) creating conditions hazardous to another person on the premises;
15) destroying or defacing institutional property or records, or the property of a student or employee;
16) refusal of an employee to follow instructions or to perform designated work that may be required of an employee, or refusal to adhere to established rules and regulations;
17) repeated tardiness or absence, absence without proper notification to the supervisor or without satisfactory reason, failure to report for work or to make appropriate contact with the supervisor to report an absence from work, or unavailability for work; and
18) violation of state and federal law, the Regents Rules and Regulations, U.T. System Policies, and U.T. System Administration Policies and Procedures.
5.2 Classified Employee Discipline Procedures.
The following procedures will be followed when in consultation with the Office of Talent & Innovation (OTI) it is determined an employee is subject to this Policy, and the employee is demoted for disciplinary reasons, suspended without pay, or dismissed.
a) Review by Supervisor. The supervisor will review the evidence and propose disciplinary action to the department head or designee to whom they report before seeking concurrence with the proposed disciplinary action.
b) Concurrence Sought and Obtained. Once the supervisor has reviewed with the department head or designee they should seek and obtain the concurrence of the Chief Human Resources Officer or delegate prior to imposing the proposed disciplinary action.
c) Pre-disciplinary Notice to Employee. The supervisor shall inform the employee in writing of the reasons for the proposed disciplinary action and the facts upon which the supervisor relies. The employee shall be provided with an opportunity to respond to the charges either verbally or in writing within a reasonable time, but not to exceed two (2) working days, and to persuade the supervisor that the grounds for the disciplinary action are mistaken or incorrect before a final decision is made to take disciplinary action.
d) Imposing Discipline. If the supervisor is not persuaded by the employee’s response that the decision to take disciplinary action is incorrect or mistaken, the supervisor will proceed to impose the disciplinary action. The supervisor shall inform the employee in writing of the following:
i. whether the disciplinary penalty is demotion, suspension without pay, or dismissal and its effective date;
ii. a specific period for a suspension without pay;
iii. the specific incident, conduct, course of conduct, unsatisfactory work performance, or other basis for the disciplinary action;
iv. any previous efforts to make the employee aware of the need to change or improve work performance or conduct; and
v. reference to any relevant . violation of state and federal law, The Regents Rules and Regulations, U.T. System Policies, and U.T. System Administration Policies and Procedures
5.3 Effect Upon Employee Benefits.
An employee who is demoted or suspended without pay, continues to accrue vacation and sick leave, to be covered by group insurance, and to be entitled to other employee benefit programs. If a demotion or suspension without pay is appealed and the appeal of the demotion or suspension is successful, the employee shall be entitled to payment for wages lost as a result of the demotion or suspension. If an appeal of dismissal is successful, the employee shall be reinstated to the same or similar position and shall be entitled to payment of back wages less any unemployment compensation insurance benefits received by the employee after the date of dismissal. Employee benefits such as vacation and sick leave shall be credited back to the date of dismissal.
Sec. 6 Procedure for Written Appeal for Classified Employees
In accordance with Sections 3.2 – 3.3, this section applies only to Classified Employees.
Disciplinary actions resulting in dismissal, suspension without pay, or demotion may be appealed by the affected employee pursuant to the process set out below by submitting a written appeal to the appropriate Vice Chancellor, Executive Vice Chancellor or designee for the employee’s department and must provide a copy to his or her supervisor. To be considered, the request must be made within ten (10) working days following the date of the disciplinary action. The appeal shall contain a clear and concise statement of why the disciplinary action is inappropriate. Once the written appeal is submitted, any additional changes or additions must be approved by the appropriate Vice Chancellor, Executive Vice Chancellor or designee. The appropriate Vice Chancellor, Executive Vice Chancellor or designee may consult with and be advised by an attorney from the Office of General Counsel.
6.1 Written Appeal
a) A written appeal must contain the following to be considered:
i. A clear and concise statement of the reasons the employee believes the disciplinary action to be inappropriate;
ii. The reason(s) the employee believes the disciplinary action decision should be changed;
iii. The name(s) and contact information of any witness that may have information relevant to the employee’s disciplinary action;
iv. The specific remedy sought by the employee;
v. Any additional relevant information, such as a reference to a violation of state and federal law, The Regents Rules and Regulations, U.T. System Policies, and U.T. System Administration Policies and Procedures by the supervisor or decision maker to be considered in support of the employee’s written appeal;
vi. The name and contact information of the employee’s representative, if any.
b) Within five (5) working days following the receipt of the written appeal, the employee’s supervisor shall submit a written response and all documentation relevant to the disciplinary action to the appropriate Vice Chancellor, Executive Vice Chancellor or designee. Any additional relevant information or official employment records may also be submitted by the supervisor to the appropriate Vice Chancellor, Executive Vice Chancellor or designee, for consideration if requested.
c) Within ten (10) working days following receipt of the information from the supervisor, the appropriate Vice Chancellor, Executive Vice Chancellor or designee will render a written decision. The written decision will be delivered electronically and mailed to the employee’s last known home address via Certified Mail that is maintained by U. T. System’s OTI. The employee is responsible for keeping OTI notified of his or her current mailing address. The decision of the appropriate Vice Chancellor, Executive Vice Chancellor or designee is final.
Sec. 7 Records of Disciplinary Action
In accordance with Sections 3.2 – 3.3, this section applies only to Classified Employees
Copies of all documents pertaining to disciplinary actions of Classified Employees, including a signed decision, shall be filed in the employee’s official employment records.
Definitions
Classified Employee – a state employee who is employed in a position that is classified under Government Code, Chapter 654, and is identified by the chief administrator of a state agency as essential for the state agency's operations.
Administrative & Professional Employees (A&P) – a state employee who is appointed to a position without fixed term, serves a specific administrative officer, and is considered an at-will employee. The employee must meet one of the criteria listed below:
- Has primary responsibility for the management of multiple departments or operating units with the primary focus on strategic and tactical business planning and development;
- Has responsibility for the management and operation of a department or unit within a department and performs one or more of the following: development and administration of policies, programs and internal procedures; development and maintenance of fiscal systems and operations; strategic and tactical business planning and development; facilities planning; recruitment, supervision, and development of professional and support staff;
- Performs duties solely or predominantly of a recognized profession and/or State-licensed profession requiring an advanced degree such as lawyers, physicians, veterinarians, scientists and engineers;
- Has primary responsibility for the creation, development, implementation and maintenance of programs relating to various significant institutional endeavors; or
- Holds a position such as that of professional librarian, which is excluded by law from the Classified Service.
