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  5. Completing a Career Ladder

Completing a Career Ladder



The minimum time period for a Career Ladder is six months, from initiation to completion.

However, Career Ladders may last longer depending on:

  • The time it takes to attain the qualifications, knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the higher level of responsibilities.
  • The time it takes to complete all the elements of the action plan outlined on section V of the Career Ladder Request Form.
  • The time it takes to demonstrate a satisfactory degree of competence in the performance of the higher level responsibilities.

Estimating pay rate upon completion

A salary increase may be awarded when the Career Ladder is completed, depending on individual circumstances.

  • Consider that the employee's base pay must be at least the minimum of the range of the higher level classification.
  • The guidelines for salary increases found in University policy #3500 apply to employees promoted through a Career Ladder.
  • Consider that employee pay rate increases should be reviewed based on qualifications that are related to duties and skills of the new position.
  • Consider that a reasonable promotional increase is typically up to 10% per grade to a maximum of 20%.
  • Review the increase in the context of other employees in similar positions in the department.
  • Remember that a salary adjustment made as the result of a Career Ladder will not trigger an equity adjustment salary increase for other employees of the same grade and job title within your department.

Implementing the Completed Career Ladder

Once the employee has successfully completed the action plan identified on section V, the manager must then complete section VI of the Career Ladder request form and submit to HR a copy of any certificates, licenses, unofficial transcripts, degrees, etc. that were included in the Career Ladder action plan.

HR will review and approve the documentation, coordinate the process of seating the employee in the position, and notify the department of the transaction details. No further action is required of the department.