Updated July 2021

Policy on Communication Device Supplements

RATIONALE: This policy allows the 91原创 System (System) to comply with applicable laws and regulations and to efficiently provide wireless communication device supplements to System employees for official System business.

POLICY: The System will allow employees, whose job duties require them to be accessible outside of normal working hours to elect to receive a monthly, taxable communication device supplement to their pay for cell phones or other wireless communication devices (i.e. smartphones and tablets). Procedures to receive this supplement are noted below.

PROCEDURES: Employees desiring a communication device supplement must comply with the following procedures:

    1. Eligibility. If an employee鈥檚 job duties require spending considerable time away from their office or work area, allow or require work from home, or require them to be accessible outside of normal working hours, they may apply for a communication device supplement with approval by the employee鈥檚 supervisor and the appropriate vice-chancellor. Approval of the supplement shall remain in effect until terminated pursuant to the terms of this policy. A communication supplement is not an entitlement and may be changed or withdrawn by the System at any time.
    2. Amount of Supplement. The amount of the supplement should cover the Employee鈥檚 projected business鈥恟elated use of the communication device. At the beginning of each fiscal year, the Finance and Administration Department may review and adjust the supplement amount.
    3. Payment of Supplement. The communication device supplement shall be paid to the employee on a monthly basis as part of the employee鈥檚 compensation. The supplement is a taxable fringe benefit and is subject to withholding requirements. The supplement is not an increase in base pay and will not be included in calculations of percentage increases in pay, retirement contributions, or other similar calculations.
    4. Contracting for Services. Employees who receive approval for a communication device supplement are responsible for selecting and contracting with a service provider in their own name for approved voice service, data service, and communication equipment. The employee must retain an active service provider contract as long as the employee receives the communication device supplement. Any charges by the employee鈥檚 service provider in excess of the communication supplement are the personal responsibility of the employee and not the System.
    5. Use of Equipment. Because the equipment is owned personally by the employee and the supplement is provided as taxable income, the employee may use the communication device for both business and personal purposes. Maintenance and service of the equipment are the personal responsibility of the employee. Use of the equipment in any manner contrary to local, state, or federal law will result in termination of the communication device supplement.
    6. Contract Changes. The employee shall bear the cost of any service provider contract termination fees in the event the employee鈥檚 service provider contract is terminated at the election of the employee or due to a violation of this policy by the employee. The System shall bear such costs in the event the termination of the employee鈥檚 service provider contract is required due to a change in System policy or other reason unrelated to the employee鈥檚 violation of this policy.

EXCEPTIONS: Special circumstances regarding an employee鈥檚 job duties may justify exceptions to this policy. Such exceptions must be approved by the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration.