Term Employment

Title: Term Employment
Approved by
Date Approved:
Effective Date: 06/03/2019
Responsible Official: Vice President of Human Resources
Responsible University Office: HR Employment Office
Revision History: 01/01/2008
Related Legislation and University policies: Employee Classifications and StatusEmployment Planning and Responsibilities PolicyStaff Employment ProcedurePre-Employment Requirements; Position Requirements PolicyExposure to Human Bloodborne Pathogens Procedure
Review Period: 5 years
Date of Last Review
Relates to: All term employees
Exclusions: regular executive staff, senior staff, and staff

Policy Statement

Individuals can be hired into part-time or full-time term staff positions for an anticipated duration of twelve (12) months to three (3) years. In addition, positions funded by grants with an anticipated end date of one (1) to three (3) years may also be filled with a term employee. The employee who accepts term employment is not guaranteed continued employment, either within the term or when the term ends. 

The duration of the term must be specified by the hiring department and included in the offer letter at the time of hire. Positions which the hiring department anticipates may be for a specified term must also be identified on the employment requisition, and university hiring policies and procedures must be followed. All term employees are required to attend new employee orientation.

Term positions are treated like regular staff positions for medical and dental, Greater Circle Living Program eligibility, vacation, holidays, and sick pay. However, term employees are not eligible for vision, life insurance, retirement, long-term disability, short-term disability, pre-paid legal, tuition assistance or exchange, layoff status, or severance pay. Staff in term positions are also subject to the Annual Performance Review Process Policy and Positive Corrective Action (PCA) Policy when work performance or behavior is unsatisfactory or unacceptable. Term employment does not alter the employment-at-will employee status of these employees.

Term employees in good standing are eligible for rehire and may apply for other positions at CWRU. Term employees who are successful at obtaining regular staff positions will have a date of employment back to the date of term hire for the purposes of calculating vacation and sick time, but will not be eligible for university benefits on a retroactive basis. Supervisors must follow all university policies and procedures for regular staff when hiring into a term position.

NOTE: Hiring departments which have not designated a position as a term position or which have determined that a position will exist for longer than three (3) years, should establish such positions as regular staff employee positions.