Policies

Where can I find out about University policies that affect my employment?
Your supervisor has a copy of the Human Resources Policy Manual, and you can also access all the policies online on the St. John’s Intranet.  All staff and administrators are provided with an Employee Handbook in hard copy.  If you do not have a handbook, please call (718) 990-1400 to receive one.

What information is in the HR Policy Manual?
The manual contains policy information for administrators and staff in the following areas: Employment; Employee Training, Development, and Performance Management; Compensation; Time Off; Leave; Benefits; Employee Relations; Work Environment; Information Technology; and Operating/Administrative policies. 

I am a faculty member; does the Human Resources Policy Manual apply to me?
No.  The manual was written primarily for staff and administrators.  There are some policies, however, that may also apply to faculty, such as the Policy Against Discrimination and Sexual Harassment.  The “Scope” at the beginning of each policy identifies who is covered.  If you are a faculty member who supervises administrative or staff employees, you should familiarize yourself with the policies in the Manual.  You can access the policy manual online on the St. John’s Intranet.

Who gets a Policy Manual?
Supervisors are provided with the Policy Manual in hard copy.  If you are a supervisor and you do not have a Manual, please call (718) 990-1400 to be issued one.

How am I notified of new policies or policy updates?
Periodically, the Office of Human Resources updates existing policies and develops new policies.  Once an update or new policy has been approved, it is posted to the HR Policy Manual online.  Once a year, or as needed, hard copies are issued to supervisors so that they can replace the old policies in their Policy Manuals.  When a policy has been updated, a general notice is sent out on the Web Digest.  Employee Handbooks are updated and redistributed about every 2-3 years.

Q: What is the role of the Policy Review Committee and who are the members?
A: The Policy Review Committee represents University leadership of the broadest spectrum, and includes: the Provost, Dr. Julia Upton, RSM; the Executive Vice President for Mission and Branch Campuses, Rev. Michael J. Carroll, C.M.; the Executive Vice President and COO, Dr. James P. Pellow; the Vice President and Secretary of the University, Dr. Dorothy E. Habben; General Counsel, Joseph Oliva, Esq..  It also includes three representatives from the Office of Human Resources: Mary Harper Hagan, Senior Vice President; Jennifer Petrilli, Esq., Director of Employee Relations and Compliance; and Lillian Dotolo, Manager of Policy Development and Employee Communications.  The Committee's purpose is to review and approve University policies affecting administrators and staff for inclusion in the Human Resources Policy Manual.  The Committee is involved in both policy development efforts as well as policy updates and revisions.

Does the Human Resources Policy Manual, which was introduced in April 2001, replace the small blue Handbook for Staff Personnel and the red Fringe Benefits and Other Information guide for administrators?
Yes.  The Human Resources Policy Manual for Administrators and Staff is a more comprehensive and current resource for university-wide policies and information that apply to staff and administrators.  It’s contents replaces that of both the earlier publications, which contained only limited information.

What do I do if I have questions about something that is written in the Human Resources Policy Manual?
A “Responsible Office” is designated in the header of each policy.  The office identified is responsible for administering that policy, and is the one you should contact if you have questions.  For your convenience, a complete contact list of Responsible Offices and Extensions is located toward the front of the manual.

Who do I contact to suggest a new policy or policy revision or if I find an error?
You are encouraged to discuss suggestions with your supervisor first.  He or she may have valuable thoughts and input.  You can also contact the office responsible for such a policy.  If you notice an error in a policy, please contact Human Resources at 718-990-2601.

Who do I contact if I disagree with a policy?
You are encouraged to discuss your disagreement with your supervisor first.  If you do not feel that you have been able to resolve your issues in this way, you should follow the procedures listed in the Complaint Resolution policy, #701.