Frequently
Asked Questions
Now that you are an employee of the University of South Carolina,
you may have questions about your job, benefits or University policies.
This page covers many of the questions that are often asked by employees.
How is my job classified?
We are part of the state classification system. When positions
are classified, they are assigned at a pay band that determines
the salary range. Positions are classified by responsibility of
the job and by education, training, and skills required.
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How will I know if I'm doing a good job in my
new position?
Your performance will be evaluated using the Employee
Performance Management System (EPMS). Soon after you begin
your job, you and your supervisor will develop a plan that is
specifically designed for your job. At the end of your first year,
your supervisor will evaluate your performance. After your initial
review, you will be evaluated on an annual basis.
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How do I get a raise?
The South Carolina Legislature may appropriate money for state
employee salary increases each fiscal year. If money is allocated,
employees are given a cost of living increase. A cost of living
increase is an across-the-board increase given to all employees
in covered positions.
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How can I get a promotion?
Normally, USC employees get promotions by applying for promotion
transfers. You can find out about higher paying positions in the
same way you found out about your present job. Vacant positions
are listed on the Human Resources
website, and posted on the job boards located in Human Resources.
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How do I apply for a transfer?
The University uses a "Request for Transfer," Form P-15, for
its own employees. These forms are available in the Division of
Human Resources Employment Office. You submit your transfer form
just like an employment application.
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If I transfer to a better job, how much will
I make?
If you transfer into a position from the one you currently hold,
you may receive a 0% to 15% increase or the advertised salary,
not to exceed the maximum of the pay band.
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What is the TERI program?
TERI is a deferred retirement plan that allows eligible members
of the S.C. Retirement System to retire for purposes of the S.C.
Retirement System and escrow their monthly retirement checks while
continuing to work in their current positions for up to five years.
For more information, see the TERI webpage.
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Will I be paid when I am sick?
As a benefits eligible University employee, you will accrue 1-1/4
days of sick leave each month that you are in a pay status for
at least half the work days of the month. You may use sick leave
for qualified reasons as soon as it has been accrued. Sick leave
may be used for your illness or medical appointments. You may
also use up to 10 days of your sick leave in the current fiscal
year for the illness of an immediate family, as defined in the
Sick Leave Policy.
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What if I use all of my sick leave and am still
unable to work?
Disability leave of more than 10 days, whether with or without
pay, must be requested on Form P-75 (Application for Disability
Leave). When certified by your doctor, you may be on disability
leave for up to 180 days. If you exhaust your sick leave during
a period of disability, the payroll system will automatically
begin using your annual leave unless you elect in writing not
to use annual leave. If you choose not to use annual leave, or
if both sick leave and annual leave are exhausted, you may go
on disability leave without pay. Disability leave of over 10 days
may also qualify as Family Medical Leave (FMLA).
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What is FMLA leave?
The Family Medical Leave Act of 1993 requires employers to grant
up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to employees for the care or placement
of a child (birth, placement, or foster care); the care of an
employee's spouse, son, daughter, or parent who has a serious
health condition; for a serious health condition that makes the
employee unable to perform his or her job. To be eligible, you
must have been employed for at least one year and have worked
for 1250 hours over the past 12 months.
You may elect to use your available annual leave or sick leave
during a period of FMLA leave, subject to USC annual leave and
sick leave policies. During the FMLA
leave the University will continue its normal contributions toward
your benefits, provided you continue your share. At the end of
the FMLA leave, you have the right to be restored to your original
position or a position with equal employment terms, pay, and benefits.
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Does USC grant maternity/paternity leave?
Maternity is considered the same as other disabilities. An employee
is eligible to use available sick leave for periods of disability
certified by a physician. Beyond the period of physician certified
disability, the employee may request to use available annual leave
or go on leave without pay. Under the Family Medical Leave Act,
eligible employees are entitled to up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave
for childbirth.
As to paternity leave, male employees may request up to 10 days
of available sick leave as family sick leave for the birth of
a child; or up to six weeks of available sick leave for the adoption
of a child, if the father will be the primary care giver. Additional
time may be requested under the Family Medical Leave Act and taken
as available annual leave or leave without pay, up to a maximum
total period of 12 weeks.
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When will I get a vacation?
Personal time off, including vacations, is normally reported
as annual leave. You will earn 1-1/4 days of annual leave for
each month that you are in a pay status for at least half the
work days of the month. After 10 years of combined service with
a S.C. State agency or school district, you will earn an additional
1-1/4 days of annual leave each year up to a maximum accrual of
30 days a year. You may use annual leave as soon as it is earned,
subject to your supervisor's approval. When possible, annual leave
requests should be submitted in advance. See the
Annual Leave Policy for more information.
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Can I be off whenever I want as long as I have
annual leave to cover my absence?
The use of annual leave is subject to your supervisor's approval.
Your request can be denied, or you may be asked to schedule annual
leave at a different time if the time you have requested would
create a hardship for your department.
You may not use more than 30 days of annual leave in a calendar
year, unless the leave is used during a period of disability when
you have used all available sick leave.
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Will I lose my annual leave and sick leave
if I don't use it?
Up to 45 days of annual leave and up to 180 days of sick leave
can be carried over into a new calendar year. Any leave in excess
of that allowed is deleted at the end of the calendar year.
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Will I be paid for my unused annual leave and
sick leave when I leave USC employment?
At separation from employment, you will be paid for unused annual
leave up to 45 days. Your annual leave payment will increase the
amount of your retirement check.
If you are paid from grant funds, payment for annual leave will
depend on the terms of your grant.
Sick leave is forfeited at separation from employment. However,
you will receive retirement service credit for up to 90 days of
unused sick leave at retirement.
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What happens to my annual leave and sick leave
if I transfer to another state agency?
If you transfer from one state agency to another with less than
a 15-day break, both your sick leave and annual leave will be
transferred, unless you are transferring to an academic position
where you are not eligible to accrue annual leave. In that case,
you will be paid for annual leave subject to the Annual Leave
Policy and your sick leave will be transferred. If there is more
than a 15-day break, or if you are paid for your annual leave
for any reason other than transfer to a position where you are
not eligible to earn annual leave, it will be considered a break
in service and your sick leave will be forfeited.
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Will I be paid for holidays?
Benefits eligible employees are eligible for paid holidays.
There are 12 paid holidays in a year. As state employees we receive
the same number of holidays as other state agencies, but most
of our holidays are taken at Christmas when the students are off.
A holiday schedule, is posted on the
Human Resources website.
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Will I be paid if I am called for jury duty?
Certain situations are classified as other
leave with pay. Other leave is not counted against your annual
leave or sick leave balances. You may be paid when you are summoned
to serve on a jury or as a witness for other than personal litigation.
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If there is a death in my family, am I paid
and how do I know if it is considered "immediate" family?
You may be paid other leave for up to three days for the death
of an immediate family member. The Other
Leave With Pay Policy gives specific information. Immediate
family is defined as the spouse, great-grandparents, grandparents,
parents, brothers, sisters, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren
of either the employee or the spouse.
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What should I do if I am injured on the job?
You should immediately report the injury to your supervisor and go to the Thomson Student Health Center for medical care. If you work at the School of Medicine, you should go to the USC Family Practice. If your injury occurs after hours or is serious enough to warrant emergency care, go to the emergency room at Palmetto Health Richland; any and all medical follow-up must be with the Thomson Student Health Center (or if from the School of Medicine, USC Family Practice). All employee-related injuries must be seen by a physician or medical specialist approved by the University. You must provide all doctor's statements to your supervisor concerning your return to work status and copies of all other medical reports should be sent to the USC Benefits Office.
As soon as possible, you must complete an Employee Injury Report and forward it through your supervisor to the Benefits Office.
Visit our Workers' Compensation webpages for more information about Workers' Compensation and work-related injuries at the University.
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Will I be required to use use my leave time
if I miss work because of a work related injury?
State Workers' Compensation laws require that a person must choose
between using paid leave or receiving Workers' Compensation benefits.
You must make this election in writing, once you begin using the
leave or receiving Workers' Compensation benefits, your election
may not be changed. A number of factors should be considered in
making your decision. All absences from work,
including work related injuries, are subject to University
leave policies and procedures. Contact the
Workers' Compensation Coordinator in the Benefits Office for
additional information.
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Will I be paid if I am called for military
duty?
Yes. Time off for service with the National Guard or Armed Forces
Reserve is provided under other leave. You will receive your USC
pay on top of your military pay for up to 15 working days. Military
leave is not counted against your annual leave balances. Military
orders need to be presented to your supervisor in advance. For
more information on military leave, see the Other
Leave With Pay Policy or contact the
Benefits Office at 803-777-6650.
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Are there other types of leave with pay?
The Other Leave With Pay Policy
gives specific information concerning other types of leave with
pay. Some of the other leave types are bone marrow donations,
American Red Cross certified disaster service leave, and organ
donation leave.
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Are staff members who enroll in classes at USC
given a discount?
Staff members who have been employed at least 30 hours a week
in a benefits eligible position for at least six months are eligible
to take one three-hour credit course (four hours in the case of
a lab course) per academic term at no charge, on a space available
basis. Staff must be admitted to the University through the appropriate
admissions process. For more information, refer to the
Tuition Assistance website.
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Facilities, Entertainment, and Services
Now that you are an employee of the University of South Carolina,
we hope you will enjoy Carolina life. USC offers many services
and educational and recreational opportunities for staff. Brochures
for some of these facilities are enclosed in your orientation
packet. Many of the services and facilities available to you and
your family are listed below with their phone numbers and e-mail
links.
There are several places on campus where employees can eat. At
the Russell House there is a cafeteria as well as several specialized
eateries.
Many upcoming events on campus are publicized in the USC
Times, which is circulated to all USC faculty and staff.
The Gamecock
is the campus newspaper published by USC students and it can be
picked up in many buildings on campus, including the Russell House.
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