At this week's meeting, members of the Labor Action Group got a peek at what's in store for University employees as the new classified pay plan kicks in. Two books were on exhibit, 1001 WAYS TO REWARD EMPLOYEES, and 180 WAYS TO WALK THE RECOGNITION TALK.

These books were used as part of the "Management Seminar on the New Compensation Plan", a series of meetings given at the Boar's Head Inn by The University of Virginia Human Resources Department. Earlier in the year, the University Human Resources held approximately 80 meetings around Grounds to explain the new classification plan to approximately 4,500 employees.

Employees anticipate receiving a 3.25% raise this year if they meet or exceed expectations, or were "contributors" as the new plan would indicate. However, the books given out to the managers encourage using anything but money in the future. According to information given the University Cabinet by Human Resources on July 19, no additional funding has been given by the state and each organization must manage within their respective budgets for the first year of the plan.

Alternatively, the books recommend that managers supply their employees with kazoos for a group toot when someone has done well, or distribute bananas or "pez" candies all around the office for a good xerox job. In addition, University employees should be looking for paper money that can be saved up for lunch treats or perhaps their supervisor bringing in home baked cookies soon. Also recommended is naming a piece of office equipment such as "the Jane Doe Shredder", or perhaps a tree planted near your office with your name on it. This is not a joke, but completely true.

"Plaques, tootsie pops, put on attitude and fake smiles don't buy groceries,' said LAG member Sylvia Strawn, "not to mention that this insults the intelligence of the staff here".

"They are trying to amalgamate two systems, selling pay-for-performance to staff in one set of meetings and a recognition but no money to administrators in separate meetings. They were supposed to bring in a system with a 'stable funding mechanism' and they didn't do it", said Wilson McIvor.

"Its so ridiculous that people just need to know. Beyond that, it supports what we have been saying about the pay plan all along- the money is not there and employees are being treated like they are too stupid to know what's going on ", said Curtis Cooper, president of the Labor Action Group (electronic mail, LABOR ACTION GROUP, UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA , Thursday, September 28, 2000).

If you have comments about the new compensation plan or about the incentives illustrated by the books on exhibit, please send them to george@loper.org and the most representative will be posted with full attribution.