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PRINT DISCLAIMER: Official version of this document is accessible in the online policy library at https://policyoffice.ku.edu/. Printed copies may not reflect the most recent updates.
DOCUMENT TYPE:
Policy
PURPOSE:
To define general conditions of employment.
APPLIES TO:
All employees in unclassified professional staff positions
CAMPUS:
Lawrence, Edwards, Leavenworth, Juniper Gardens, Parsons, Pittsburg, Salina (KUL), Topeka, Wichita (KUL), Yoder, Medical Center (KUMC), Salina (KUMC), Wichita (KUMC)
DEFINITIONS:
At-Will Employment or Serve at the Pleasure – A designation made by the University which allows for termination for any lawful reason.
Regular – Non-temporary position. Regular Unclassified Professional Staff are at-will for the duration of their employment.
Temporary Employment – Hiring units may request a temporary position due to an immediate vacancy, special project assignment, seasonal volume, emergencies, etc. For staff positions, units may elect to hire a temporary staff member through the University or through an external temporary agency. This policy applies only to temporary employees hired through the University. Temporary employees are at-will for the duration of their employment.
POLICY STATEMENT:
Hiring Authority
The conditions of University of Kansas employment are established in compliance with federal and state statutes, regulations, and are consistent with Kansas Board of Regents and University policies. University policy governing employment is also promulgated by appropriate University administrative offices.
In consultation with appropriate administrative offices, Human Resources (HR) determines the eligibility for hire or rehire of individuals seeking University employment. As with any other employer, HR may make such determinations based on, but not limited to, employment history and/or status, eligibility to work, employment references, and/or criminal history. Persons denied eligibility for employment may discuss this status with HR.
Conditions of Employment
Conditions of employment may be designated by the University for specific positions based upon the nature of the work, time commitment, or designated funding source. Such conditions are generally set forth in the offer letter and applicable policies. All positions with an Unclassified Professional Staff (UPS) designation are at-will positions
subject to all applicable laws, regulations, policies, minutes, and resolutions of the State of Kansas, Board of Regents, and the University of Kansas.
Faculty and/or Unclassified Academic Staff may have an unclassified professional staff position for an administrative, leadership, or other role. The administrative position and corresponding compensation or responsibilities are governed by the at-will/serve at the pleasure terms outlined in the offer letter and applicable policies.
State of Kansas employees generally should not hold concurrent State of Kansas employment that exceeds full-time employment. Any concurrent employment should abide by the Commitment of Time, Conflict of Interest, Consulting, and Other Employment policy. The designation of a position as exempt (salaried) or non-exempt (hourly) must be consistent for all concurrently held State of Kansas positions.
Employees are subject to the probationary policy terms aligned with their position classification.
Retiree rehires must comply with the provisions of the applicable University policy, and KPERS retirees may be subject to the provisions of the State of Kansas Working After Retirement (WAR) regulations.
EXCLUSIONS OR SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES:
This policy does not include specific requirements, forms, policies or paperwork which may be required during employment or prevent the University from establishing additional specific requirements that may not be identified in an offer letter or policy at the time of hire.
More information concerning postdoctoral positions may be found in the KUL Postdoctoral Researcher Employment policy or the KUMC Postdoctoral Term Limits policy.
Temporary employees, except students, are limited as follows:
- Actual hours worked do not exceed 999 hours in a 12-month period (from the original employment date), and
- Length of "Temporary" employment may not exceed 12 months (beginning with the original employment date).
Departments wishing to continue employing faculty/staff to work more than 999 hours or longer than a 12-month period will be required to use "Regular" employment. Using this employment option will make the faculty/staff member eligible for benefit program participation. Individual departments will be required to fund the additional costs.
The twelve-month restriction in the temporary section does not apply to Standardized Patients, Students, or temporary employees working as Pro Re Nata (PRN) or seasonal. Temporary appointments are considered “at-will” and may be terminated prior to the end of the work assignment or at the discretion of the University. On the Lawrence and Edwards campus, minors under the age of 18 who perform work for the University and do not meet the University’s enrollment requirements must be appointed to temporary positions and hiring units must abide by provisions of the Minors on Campus policy.
Human Resources will notify department administrators approximately 30 days prior to the threshold for "Temporary" employment expiration. Departments are expected to manage their "Temporary" faculty/staff appropriately. Extensions of or consecutive "temporary" assignments will not ordinarily be permitted.
CONTACT:
KU Lawrence and all reporting units:
Human Resources
101 Carruth-O’Leary Hall
1246 W. Campus Road
Lawrence, KS 66045
785-864-4946
hrdept@ku.edu
KU Medical Center and all reporting units:
Department of Human Resources
1054 Wescoe, Mail Stop 2033
3901 Rainbow Blvd.
Kansas City, KS 66160
Hr-university@kumc.edu
RESPONSIBLE UNIT:
Human Resources
APPROVED BY:
Chancellor
APPROVAL DATE:
2026-06-30
EFFECTIVE DATE:
2026-07-01
REVIEW CYCLE:
1 year
RELATED STATUTES, REGULATIONS, AND/OR POLICIES:
Kansas Board of Regents:
KBOR (II) Governance – State Universities
KBOR (II.C.b) Faculty and Staff, Provisions, Serve at the Pleasure of
State of Kansas:
Working After Retirement (WAR)
KU Medical Center and all reporting units:
Disciplinary Actions
KUMC Retiree Rehire & Contractual Services Policy
Unclassified Professional Staff Regulations
Postdoctoral Term Limits
RELATED RESOURCES:
Recruitment Resources
CHANGE HISTORY:
06/30/2026: New policy published in the Policy Library.
TITLE:
Employment Conditions for Unclassified Professional Staff