Support for Employee Learning and Development

Layout for printing

Policy Number:

UW-5034

Old Policy Number:

12.01

Responsible Office:

Office of Human Resources

University Policy

Rationale/​Purpose:

Effective July 1, 2015, all UW–Madison employment is under the authority of the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents (BOR) and Wis. Stat. Chapter 36. Wis. Stat. § 36.115(3) requires the UW–Madison chancellor to develop a personnel system that is separate and distinct from the personnel system governed by Wis. Stat. Chapter 230.

As mandated by Board of Regents policy (RPD 20-21), UW–Madison must implement a policy that supports the ongoing education of supervisors, as well as the education and career development of all employees.

Definitions:

Academic Staff

a professional or administrative employee with 1) duties that are exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA); and 2) performs work that is primarily associated with higher education institutions or their administration.

Education and Training

job-related coursework or training which enhances skills or provides knowledge that will improve an employee’s job performance; is mandated by law or regulation in order for the employee to retain the job; is directly related to the employee’s current profession; or provides for career development. Training or education for personal enrichment does not meet this definition.

Faculty

a person who holds the rank of professor, associate professor, assistant professor, or instructor in an academic department or its functional equivalent in UW–Madison, as described in UW–Madison Faculty Policies and Procedures (FPP).

Limited Appointment

an appointment to a designated administrative position, the holder of which serves at the pleasure of the authorized official who made the appointment. Certain positions must be designated as Limited appointments under Wis. Stat. § 36.17(2), while the appointing authority may designate other positions as Limited appointments at the time of appointment.

University Staff

an employee who is not exempt from the overtime provisions of the FLSA (i.e., the employee is paid based on the number of hours worked) and contributes in a professional way in a broad array of positions that support the university’s mission.

Scope:

This policy applies to full-or part-time Academic and University Staff employees with a defined or anticipated appointment greater than one year, and Limited appointees.

Policy:

Policy Summary

This policy promotes the learning and professional development of UW–Madison Faculty and staff (Academic Staff, Limited, and University Staff). This is a requirement under UW Board of Regent policy (RPD 20-21).

Policy Detail

1. Policy

   1. This policy provides general guidelines for the learning and professional development of UW–Madison Faculty, Academic Staff, University Staff, and Limited appointees. These guidelines do not preclude a division, a department, or a work unit from establishing additional policies or procedures.
   2. It is the policy of UW–Madison to promote the learning and professional development of employees. Employees may be reimbursed for authorized education and training in conformance with Internal Revenue Code Section 127 and the Wisconsin Department of Revenue tax regulations, and within budget constraints.
   3. The following guidelines apply to approval of job-related education and training:
      1. UW–Madison schools, colleges and divisions should ensure that educational assistance opportunities are equitably provided.
      2. Management's decision to authorize educational assistance should be based on the criterion that successful completion of the qualifying education and training will benefit both the University and the employee through increased knowledge, abilities and skills.
      3. Educational assistance or training shall not be a form of compensation for any employee.
   4. Depending on the employee’s position and/or job responsibilities, certain training may be mandated.
   5. Supervisor training. UW–Madison shall provide a supervisor development program that includes elements such as:
      1. Employee engagement, inclusion and diversity
      2. New employee onboarding
      3. Performance management
      4. Knowledge of personnel policies
   6. In some cases, training or course work may be required of the employee by the supervisor as part of employment duties. Such training is directly and immediately related to the work needs of the unit and is fully funded by the employer on University time.

Supporting Tools

See learning opportunities at Learning and Talent Development, Office of Talent Management web site for current learning opportunities.

Responsibilities

Table 1. Responsibilities

Office of Human Resources (OHR)	Maintains a centralized online catalog of learning and development opportunities Maintains the UW–Madison employee learning transcript Serves as the campus expert on employee learning and development Partners with internal and external learning providers to continue to grow the learning opportunities open to employees
Deans and Directors	Ensures employees have access to learning opportunities Encourages employee development Ensures assistance opportunities are equitably provided
College/School/Division HR	Ensures employees have access to learning opportunities Communicates support and processes for employee learning and development to employees Develops, implements, monitors, and maintains processes that supports employee and organizational needs Consults with OHR as needed
Supervisor	Encourages employee learning and development Builds employee learning and development into the performance management conversations with employees
Employee	Communicates needs related for personal learning and development to supervisors Participates in learning and development activities

Related UW-Madison Policies:

UW-5015 New Employee Onboarding

UW-5018 Performance Management for Managers and Supervisors

Related UW–Madison Documents, Web Pages, or Other Resources:

Employee Coursework and Training Assistance Procedures

Employee Coursework and Training Assistance Reimbursement Request Form 

External References:

Wisconsin State Statute 230.046, Training Programs

Policy Administration

Approval Authority:

Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration

Policy Manager:

Associate Vice Chancellor/Chief Human Resources Officer

Contact:

Director, Talent Development -- Lynn Freeman, lynn.freeman@wisc.edu, (608) 890-4398

Effective Date:

06-30-2015

Revised Dates:

03-02-2020

Retrieved:

06-02-2024 20:20:19