We recently began a new fiscal year after an active and challenging FY18—a year marked by great change but also great accomplishment throughout the university. In keeping with our commitment to reward outstanding work, I am pleased to announce that merit pay increases and TEAM Award payments will be effective in November for eligible employees.

UTMB’s merit pay program is an important part of our total compensation strategy for Classified, Non-Teaching and Administrative & Professional (A&P) staff. These salary increases are designed to reward employees for meeting or exceeding performance expectations.

To be considered for a merit pay increase, employees must meet the following criteria:

• Benefits-eligible, full-time or part-time status;
• Successful completion of six-month probationary period;
• Did not receive any merit increases (base pay or non-recurring pay) during the last six months;
• Satisfactory performance evaluation within the last 12 months;
• No formal corrective action (written warning or above) initiated within the last 12 months; and
• Current on all mandatory requirements (e.g., compliance training, testing, licensing, etc.).

Total merit pools are determined by market trends, economic conditions and available funding. The merit pool allocations for this year are3 percent for Classified and Non-Teaching staff and 2.5 percent for A&P staff. As a reminder, compensation for Correctional Managed Care employees is managed separately through the Texas Department of Criminal Justice budget. Compensation for faculty members and executive leadership is managed through the Faculty Compensation and Incentive Plan and the Executive Compensation Review, respectively.

Merit pay increases for Classified employees will be effective Nov. 3, 2018, and will first appear in paychecks dated Nov. 23, 2018. Merit pay increases for Non-Teaching and A&P employees will be effective Nov. 1, 2018, and will first appear in paychecks dated Dec.1, 2018.

UTMB will also recognize the collective efforts and contributions of our workforce in FY18 with a one-time $750 TEAM Award payment. 

This payment reflects the anticipated achievement of our Best Care goal and 5-star performance rating for FY18, collaboration with MD Anderson to develop the outpatient cancer center on the League City Campus, construction and programming of the new Health Education Center on the Galveston Campus, and other notable accomplishments throughout the year.

TEAM Awards will be paid on Nov. 16, 2018, to employees who meet the following criteria:

• Completed at least six months of continuous active employment (actual hours worked) during FY18 in a benefits-eligible Classified, CMC, Non-Teaching, Resident and/or A&P position;
• Were benefits-eligible as of Aug. 31, 2018;
• Did not participate in the Faculty Compensation and Incentive Plan, Executive and A&P At-Risk Compensation Plan or any other incentive plan in FY18;
• If under formal corrective action at any time in FY18, has documented performance improvement by Aug. 31, 2018, as determined by their supervisor or manager;
• Did not receive an overall performance rating of “Does Not Meet” on their FY18 employee evaluation; and
• Is employed by UTMB on the payout date.

For more information about the merit pay program or TEAM Awards, please refer to these frequently asked questions. You may also contact the Human Resources Compensation team at hrcomp@utmb.edu.

Thank you for your tremendous service to UTMB and your ongoing commitment to improving health for the people of Texas and around the world.  

David L. Callender, MD, MBA, FACS
President