Supplements System Policy 31.01 and System Regulation 31.01.08
Approved
Revised: 03/23/2010
1. GENERAL
The Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) may award merit salary increases, including merit raises and merit payments to employees that demonstrate outstanding job performance. All merit salary increases will be awarded in accordance with System Regulation 31.01.08 Merit Salary Increases. Other compensation administration information, including information on other types of salary increases, may be found in System Regulation 31.01.01.
2. DEFINITIONS
Two types of merit salary increases may be awarded.
2.1 Merit Raise – An employee may be granted a merit raise that is added to the employee’s base salary.
2.2 Merit Payment – An employee may be granted a lump sum, merit payment that is not added to the employee’s base salary.
3. AWARD CRITERIA
Merit salary increases may be awarded to TTI employees in recognition of meritorious job performance, as recorded in the annual performance evaluation. An employee who demonstrates outstanding performance evidenced by overall ratings of “Exceptional Performance”, “Exceeds Expectations”, and “Meets Expectations” on a current performance evaluation may be recommended for a merit salary increase. In addition to the performance evaluation, one or more of the following criteria may be used to determine the merit salary increases:
3.1 An employee who demonstrates efficient use of state resources that result in significant savings to the department, TTI or the System may be recommended for a merit salary increase.
3.2 An employee who demonstrates outstanding service to the department, TTI or the System may be recommended for a merit salary increase.
3.3 An employee who earns an undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited institution of higher education or receives a certificate, license, award or other proof of accomplishment related to his or her job may be recommended for a merit salary increase.
The performance evaluation is the required factor to justify all merit increase requests. Merit increases during the annual budget preparation process must also consider criteria included in the Board approved budget guidelines and the budget instructions issued by the Chancellor.
4. RECOMMENDATIONS
Merit salary increases should be initiated by the immediate supervisor and/or the appropriate TTI Program Manager, recommended by the relevant Division Head and approved by the appropriate Assistant/Associate Director and the Executive Associate Agency Director.
5. INCREASE AMOUNTS
The amount of each merit raise will be based on the availability of funding in the department and equitable allocation procedures developed by the department or TTI. The Director of TTI or his designee may approve merit raises up to 20%. Any proposed merit increases above that amount must be approved by the Director.
6. STUDENT MERIT RAISES
Student worker positions are exempt from this rule. Each TTI department is responsible for developing criteria for student merit raises and providing the funding if merit raises are approved. Student worker and Graduate student positions are not eligible for merit payments.
CONTACT OFFICE:
TTI Human Resources Office
