BRIEF

Policy Summary

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) employs persons in one of many different appointment types. This policy defines the terms and conditions of a term appointment.

Who Should Read This Policy

This policy applies to non-represented employees. Represented employees should consult their collective bargaining agreement (CBA).

To Read the Full Policy, Go To:

The POLICY tab on this wiki page

Contact Information

For more information, contact your division's Human Resources Center.
Feedback on HR policies or procedures is welcomed. Send comments to hrpolicies@lbl.gov.

POLICY

A. Purpose

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) employs persons in one of many different appointment types. This policy defines the terms and conditions of a term appointment.

B. Persons Affected

This policy applies to non-represented employees. Represented employees should consult their collective bargaining agreement (CBA).

C. Exceptions

Requests that exceed what is allowed under current policy or that are not expressly addressed by current policy are considered exceptions to policy. A request for an exception to policy requires, at a minimum, the approval of the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO).

D. Policy Statement

1. Term Appointment¹
   1. Term appointments apply to staff hired to work for six months to five years. Term appointments have a specific, pre-established end date and may be appropriate under circumstances such as:
      1. Projects with specific objectives and defined outcomes;
      2. Position funding may be short-term or uncertain;
      3. Temporary need during restructuring, reorganization, or workflow redesign efforts; or
      4. Career-track scientist and engineer positions. For information regarding career-track term appointments, see the Appointments, Scientist & Engineer policy.
   2. Term appointments are made after a competitive recruitment or as otherwise provided by the Recruitment and Hiring policy.
   3. If the initial appointment is between six and twelve months, the individual must be at 100% fixed time. If the initial appointment is one year or more, the appointment must be at 50% fixed time or more.
   4. Time spent in term appointments is cumulative and may not exceed five years. Time spent in other appointment classifications (e.g., postdoctoral fellow) is excluded from the five-year limit.
   5. Stop the Clock. If a term employee is on an approved paid or unpaid leave of absence for one month or longer, the appointment may be extended by the length of the leave but only up to one year beyond the five-year maximum.
   6. University of California (UC) Retirees. UC retirees hired into term appointments must be hired in accordance with the Retired Employees, Re-employing policy.
2. Applicability of Policies. Term appointees are covered by all Berkeley Lab policies, with the following exceptions:
   1. Probationary Period. Term employees in career-track Scientist & Engineer (S&E) positions do not serve a probationary period. Term employees in non-S&E positions do not serve a probationary period, unless the initial appointment is for one year or more. See the Terms & Conditions of Employment policy, Section D.6., "Probationary Period."
   2. Tuition Assistance. The Tuition Assistance policy does not apply to term employees.
   3. Reduction in Force and Severance Payments. The Berkeley Lab Reduction in Force and Severance policies do not apply to term employees.
3. Conversion to Career
   1. A term appointment may be converted to a career appointment if the incumbent employee was selected through a competitive recruitment process in accordance with the Recruitment and Hiring policy.
   2. However, in order for an employee in a scientist and engineer non-career-track term appointment (Project Scientist) to move to a career appointment, the employee must apply and compete for a career position. For information regarding scientific non-career-track term appointments, see the Appointments, Scientist & Engineer policy.
4. Termination of Appointment
   1. A term appointment will automatically terminate on the last day of the appointment unless there is an earlier separation or formal extension of the appointment in writing.
   2. Employees in term appointments may be terminated before the end of their appointment for disciplinary reasons or substandard performance of which the employee has been advised, as provided in the Corrective Action & Discipline policy.
   3. A term appointment may also be terminated early due to lack of funds, lack of work, or changes in operational/business needs in which case, whenever possible, an employee should be given at least 30 days' advance written notice that their appointment will be terminated.

1. As of July 1, 2020, the term appointment will appear as the "contract" employee classification in UCPath. Berkeley Lab policy, rather than UC policy, will apply to contract appointments at Berkeley Lab.

E. Roles and Responsibilities

Managers, supervisors, and employees have the responsibility to adhere to the provisions of this policy.

F. Definitions/Acronyms

G. Recordkeeping Requirements

None

H. Implementing Documents

None

I. Contact Information

For more information, contact your division's Human Resources Center.Feedback on HR policies or procedures is welcomed. Send comments to hrpolicies@lbl.gov.

J. Revision History

DOCUMENT INFORMATION

Source Requirements Documents

University of California Personnel Policies for Staff Members (PPSM) 3, Types of Appointment

Implementing Documents

None