Introduction

The purpose of this handbook, available online, is to describe the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD or University) administrative policies and procedures that affect staff employees.

This handbook provides basic information on the University, summarizes key policies, outlines job expectations, and reviews the benefits available to eligible employees.

Whether you are a new employee, a prospective employee, or a continuing employee, you may have questions about your employment with UHD. This handbook will provide you with many answers. It also suggests whom to contact if your questions are not answered.

Staff are expected to familiarize themselves with the policies, procedures, working conditions, and benefits described in this staff handbook. We hope you refer to it often.

The information in this handbook is subject to change without notice and does not constitute a contract, express or implied, with UHD or the University of Houston System (UHS or System). UHD also reserves the right and discretion to amend, delete, deviate from, or change benefits, compensation, and policies at the sole discretion of the University.

The University will update the on-line version of the handbook as necessary. However, if at any time the information in the on-line version of the handbook is in conflict with official policies and procedures of UHD, the UH System, state or federal regulations, the official policies, procedures, and regulations will prevail. Departments are responsible for notifying ESO when changes should be made to the handbook for their areas.

This handbook is not intended to explain each subject fully. Rather, to make it easier for employees to understand its content, policies have been paraphrased. Hyperlinks to UHD policies are readily available within the handbook to support the information provided.

Revisions and changes to the handbook or institutional policies may be required in order for UHD to remain in compliance with state and federal laws, as well as with the UH System and the UHS Board of Regents’ rules and regulations. The major review responsibility for Policy Statements lies with the responsible party identified in the “Review Process” section of the PS, although proposals to revise or update policies may be made at any time by any member of the university community.

UHD Policy Statements will be updated, revised, or rescinded after being reviewed by the appropriate administrators in accordance with an established revision schedule. Following approval of an updated, revised or rescinded policy by the President’s Cabinet and signed by the President, the policy statement will be posted online, showing the revised date.