Compensatory Time Pay
Employees of institutions of higher education who are subject to FLSA may be paid for compensatory time hours on a straight-time basis when taking compensatory time off would be disruptive to normal teaching, research, and other critical functions.

Demotion
A salary reduction or title change for a voluntary or involuntary change in duty assignment to a position that has decreased responsibility and a lower salary range or group.

Equity Adjustment
An increase given to an employee or an employee class in order to compete with comparable outside markets or international salary conditions.

Increase After Probationary Hiring Period
A salary increase given to an employee after the successful completion of a probationary performance period.

Merit Raise
A salary increase given to an employee whose job performance and productivity is consistently above that normally expected or required.

Promotion
A salary increase or title change as a result of a change in duty assignment of an employee within an agency from a position with one title, academic rank, or classification to a position with another title, academic rank, or classification which may or may not include a higher pay rate and that involves a higher level of responsibility.

Reclassification
A change in an employee’s title due to a change in the official classification of a position within the same budgetary unit resulting for a job analysis or audit; this change does not necessarily reflect a change in salary. Reclassification does not mean a change in the employee’s duty assignment, but rather the proper definition of duties and title of the position based upon duties actually performed by the employee. That is, the position is evaluated rather than the person who is performing the job.

Severance Pay
Lump-sum pay amount awarded at the time of termination or resignation. The attorney general has stated that severance pay violates various provisions of the Texas Constitution if the severance pay is not a term or condition of employment.

State-mandated Increase
An increase set by the State Legislature, normally as a provision of the General Appropriations Act that sets limits and specifies certain terms of the increase. The General Appropriations Act may or may not provide funding for a state-mandated increase.

Ms. Renee R. Williams, Director of Equal Opportunity & Diversity has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies.

Ms. Williams can be reached at: P.O. Box 519: Mail Stop 1337; Harrington Science Building, Suite 109; Prairie View, TX 77446-0519, or by calling 936-261-1730