Fractional Employment Procedure - EAV Measures

Intent

To outline the process for eligibility and application for a staff member to vary their employment fraction to a 0.9 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) or 0.8FTE, under the James Cook University Enterprise Agreement (COVID-19 Schedule).

Scope

This procedure applies to all staff members who are employed under the James Cook University Enterprise Agreement (COVID-19 Schedule), who meet the eligibility requirements to vary their employment fraction to a 0.9FTE or 0.8FTE. This does not apply to existing variation of hours or flexible work arrangements.

Definitions

Except as otherwise specified in this procedure, the meaning of terms used in this procedure are as per the Human Resources Policy Glossary.

Procedure

1. Eligibility

To be eligible to vary their employment fraction to a 0.9FTE or 0.8FTE, at the date of application, a staff member must:

1.1 Be employed on a full time basis.

1.2 Be employed as a continuing employee or have at least 18 months remaining on their fixed term appointment.

Staff members can apply to vary their employment fraction to 0.9FTE or 0.8FTE, at any time until the James Cook University Enterprise Agreement (COVID-19 Schedule) expiry date, being 30 June 2021.

A staff member who requests to vary their employment fraction to 0.9FTE or 0.8FTE, cannot request to enter into a purchased leave arrangement.

2. Applying for Fractional Employment

To apply to vary their employment fraction to a 0.9FTE or 0.8FTE, a staff member must:

2.1 Complete the Fractional Employment (EAV) Application Form, located on the Human Resources Intranet Page, under Forms and Guides – EAV.

2.2 Forward to your Supervisor and Head of Work Unit (HR Delegation Band 5) for approval (noting this must contain the staff member’s roster to be completed, with the change of working hours identified).

2.3 Once approved, submit the completed form to HR, via Service Now request, under Enterprise Agreement Variation (EAV) – Submit an Application for Fractional Employment.

The 0.9FTE or 0.8FTE employment fraction will commence at the beginning of a pay cycle, and will be for a period of 12 months from date of commencement.

3. Effect on Salary

The staff member will be paid at 90% or 80%, dependent on the request, of their salary, for the period of the fraction change. At the end of the 12-month period the staff member’s employment fraction will automatically revert to 1 FTE.

4. Effect on Leave Entitlements

The staff member’s annual, personal, special and long service leave will accrue at the fractional rate (90% or 80%, whichever is relevant).

5. Effect on Superannuation

James Cook University will pay employer superannuation contributions, and submit salary and time fraction data to the staff member’s superannuation fund, equivalent to 1FTE during the fraction change period. The staff member is responsible for maintaining and paying the difference of any employee superannuation contributions, to maintain the equivalent of 1FTE, during the fraction change period.

6. Effect on Service Fraction

A staff member’s service fraction will be reflected as 0.9FTE or 0.8FTE, whichever is relevant.

7. Effect on Redundancy Provision

Any change to employment fraction will not be considered as the staff member having a mix of Full-time and Part-Time work and will not impact any applicable redundancy payments.

8. Financial Advice

Staff members are encouraged to seek independent financial advice on the superannuation and taxation implications of varying their employment fraction to 0.9FTE or 0.8FTE.

9. Withdrawal From a Request to Vary Employment Fraction

A staff member may request withdrawal to vary their employment fraction only in exceptional circumstances (characterised as unforeseeable). Any requests must be made to the Director Human Resources who will consider within 10 working days and advise of their decision in writing.

Related policy instruments

James Cook University Enterprise Agreement (COVID-19 Schedule)

Administration

NOTE:  Printed copies of this procedure are uncontrolled, and currency can only be assured at the time of printing.

Approval Details

Revision History