201.51

Remote Location Pay and Reimbursement of Dependent Relocation Costs

Applies to: Regular employees except those covered by the terms of a collective bargaining agreement
  1. Policy

    Whenever University staff members are required to establish a temporary residence at a remote work location for extended periods of time, they will be eligible for remote location compensation and/or reimbursement for transportation costs incurred when the spouse and minor children accompany them. Such compensation will be in the form of 1) a percentage added on to base salary with the amount being determined by the facts for the particular assignment and/or 2) reimbursement of the actual transportation costs for a staff member’s spouse and minor children who accompany them on the extended service, providing such payment is permitted under the project terms. In determining remote location compensation, consideration will be given to 1) extra-ordinary difficult living and/or working conditions, 2) excessive physical hardships, 3) notably hazardous conditions, 4) duties which require substantial amounts of irregular, unscheduled work. The duration of the project and the terms and conditions of the project contract or grant will determine eligibility for the reimbursement of transportation costs for dependents.

  2. Regulations and Definitions

    1. When the transportation and subsistence for the staff member and family to the remote location is paid by the University, it will be paid in accordance with the regular travel policy. The full cost of transportation for the staff member’s spouse and dependent children to the remote location will be paid by the University from the project budget, provided approval of the Office of Academic Affairs and the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs has been obtained in advance of travel. The staff member, spouse and dependent children must take up residency near the scene or the activity and be away from campus six (6) or more months.
    2. The travel status will cease on the date that residence at the remote assignment is established.
    3. Any time to be allowed for establishing residence after arrival at the remote location must be part of the arrangements made in advance.
    4. A maximum dollar amount to cover the cost of moving personal and household effects will be determined in advance. Actual, reasonable costs will be paid or reimbursed up to the stated maximum amount.
    5. In some cases, a maximum monthly allowance for storage of personal and household goods may be established in advance. Actual, reasonable amounts not exceeding the stated maximum will be reimbursed.
    6. The remote location allowance will be stated in terms of a percentage of the staff member’s present salary and will be paid in addition to his regular salary, from the first to the last day of the remote location assignment.
    7. When a staff member completes a remote location assignment, the arrangements for their return and the return of the spouse and minor children to their original primary residence will be similar to those stated above.
    8. In case a staff member terminates their employment while on remote assignment, the University will have no obligation to return them or their family to their original primary residence.
    9. Travel from the remote location assignment to any location for personal reasons will be considered a personal expense not reimbursable by the University. Necessary business travel will be reimbursed in accordance with regular University policy, and the temporary location will be the starting and terminating point of the trip for reimbursement purposes.
    10. Vacation taken during the assignment will be paid at a rate which includes the remote location allowance to the extent that vacation time does not exceed vacation accrued while on remote location assignment. Vacation in excess of that accrued while on remote location assignment, if covered by prior accrual, will be paid at base salary rate.
Notes

This SPG was reviewed in October 2023 to clarify primary residence and the treatment of personal travel.

The policy was reviewed in February 2018.  No changes were made.

SPG Number
201.51
Date Issued
Last Updated
Next Review Date
Applies To
Regular employees except those covered by the terms of a collective bargaining agreement
Owner
University Human Resources; Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
Primary Contact
University Human Resources and the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs