07-09.50 鈥� Policy on Acting Capacities and Temporary Increase of Higher Level Duties

  1. Policy Statement:

    This policy establishes the guidelines to authorize the Towson University (the 鈥淯niversity鈥�) to temporarily assign duties to existing Non-exempt and Exempt positions and to temporarily reassign employees to positions other than originally hired pursuant to the USM policy VII-9.50, Policy on Temporary Assignments and Acting/Interim Appointments for Regular Status Nonexempt and Exempt Staff Employees. 

  2. Definitions: 

    1. 鈥淎cting Capacity鈥� is used when an employee is appointed to a different position on a temporary basis where there is a vacancy of at least 31 days but less than 12 months. Employees serving in an acting capacity must meet the minimum requirements of the position. An acting appointment is at the discretion of the supervisor and will not result in a change in classification; however, it may result in a temporary title change and salary adjustment, consistent with TU鈥檚 policy on Regular Employee Promotions (07-09.20). 

    2. 鈥淧rimary Appointment鈥� is the position the employee held before the appointment to Acting Capacity or the Temporary Increase of Higher Level Duties. 

    3. 鈥淭emporary Increase of Higher Level Duties鈥� is used when adding or replacing specific job duties and responsibilities to an employee鈥檚 existing position on a temporary basis of at least 31 days but less than 12 months. Employees receiving a temporary increase due to higher level duties are not required to meet the minimum requirements of the position; however, s/he must have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the specific job duties. A temporary increase is at the discretion of the supervisor and will not result in a change in title; however, it may result in a temporary salary adjustment. 

  3. Responsible Executive and Office:

    Responsible Executive:
    Associate Vice President of Human Resources

    Responsible Office:
    Office of Human Resources 

  4. Entities Affected by this Policy:

    All Towson University staff employees. 

  5. Procedures: 

    1. Request and Approval - Departments shall complete the required documentation to request the placement of an employee in an assignment with Temporary Increase of Higher Level Duties or Acting Capacity. OHR will not review the request until it receives the completed form (available from OHR), evidencing approval from the Divisional and University Budget Offices, and the Divisional Vice President. 

    2. Acting Capacity and Temporary Increase of Higher Level Duties - Employees in an Acting Capacity or with a Temporary Increase of Higher Level Duties who have been approved to receive a salary adjustment, shall have their salary adjusted retroactively to the first day of the acting/temporary assignment upon the thirty-first day of the assignment. An employee鈥檚 salary shall not exceed the maximum of the pay range for his/her classification. Employees serving in an Acting Capacity or with a Temporary Increase of Higher Level Duties shall receive benefits consistent with their Primary Appointment. 

    3. Notice - If and when applicable, the employee shall be provided with written notice of assignment at least five work days in advance of the effective date of such assignment/reassignment. 

    4. Extensions - Departments shall notify the OHR if an extension is required beyond the stated end date on the form. 

    5. End of Assignment - Departments shall notify the OHR when the Acting Capacity or Temporary Increase of Higher Level Duties assignment is ending. At the end of an Acting Capacity or Temporary Increase of Higher Level Duties assignment, employees shall be returned to their former position with the same salary status s/he would have if s/he had not been temporarily reassigned. In certain circumstances, at the discretion of the University, the University may elect to adjust or end an Acting Capacity or Temporary Increase of Higher Level Duties assignment. 

    6. Layoff - Employees on an Acting Capacity or Temporary Increase of Higher Level Duties shall not be subject to layoff based on the Acting Capacity or Temporary Increase of Higher Level Duties.

Related Policies:

TU Policy 07-09.20, Policy on Regular Employee Promotions

Approval Date: 04/02/2004

Effective Date: 04/02/2004

Amended Date: 12/17/2012
06/29/2016

Approved By: President鈥檚 Council 06/29/2016

Signed By: President鈥檚 Council

How to Request the Policy PDF

This online version of the policy may include updated links and names of departments. To request a PDF of the original, signed version of this policy, email the Office of the General Counsel, .