Compensation, Exemption, and Other Employment Status

Exempt Staff Positions | Non-Exempt Staff Positions | Full-time and Part-time Staff Positions | Types of Employment Status | Full-Time and Part-Time Positions

Swarthmore College’s staff compensation program is designed to attract, retain, and motivate a highly talented and committed community of staff members that support the College’s mission and goals. The College will comply with all applicable state and federal laws governing compensation, such as the Equal Pay Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), as amended, and all other applicable laws and regulations.

The FLSA defines whether a position is entitled to overtime compensation. According to FLSA legal guidelines, staff positions are categorized as either "exempt" or "non-exempt" (overtime eligible).

Exempt Staff Positions

Exempt staff positions are those that are exempt from certain provisions of the FLSA and are not entitled to overtime pay. These positions generally include administrators, managers, and professionals. Staff members in exempt positions receive a fixed weekly salary, which is paid monthly. The work of exempt staff is evaluated and compensated on outcomes accomplished. When the occasion warrants, exempt staff members work beyond the hours that College offices are open for business.

Non-Exempt (Hourly) Staff Positions

For staff positions that are defined by law as non-exempt, the College and staff members are required to keep hourly time records and pay is calculated on an hourly basis. Most paraprofessional, technical, clerical, administrative, skilled craft, service, and maintenance positions are classified under the FLSA as non-exempt. Such positions are entitled to overtime pay at 1.5 times the staff member's regular pay rate for all hours worked in excess of 40 hours in a work week. Paid time off hours such as vacation, sick leave, holiday, and compensatory time count toward the 40-hour threshold for overtime eligibility.

Full-time and Part-time Staff Positions

Under any of the employment categories above, you may be employed in a full time or part time capacity. Full time equivalent (FTE) staff positions are positions of .75 FTE or greater and part time staff positions are those positions of less than .75 FTE.

Types of Employment Status

There are four types of staff employment status at Swarthmore College: regular, temporary, limited term, and on-call employment.

Regular Ongoing Employment

Regular ongoing staff members are hired to work in a position on either a full-time or part-time basis, without a pre-established date of termination. This includes benefits eligible and non-benefits eligible staff members.

Temporary Employment 

Temporary staff members are hired to work in positions that will be active for less than six months and must have an end date. Individuals in temporary positions are typically not eligible for benefits.

Limited Term Employment

Limited Term employment is intended to meet the needs of departments that have extra work or special projects with clearly defined beginning and ending periods. Limited Term appointments must be for a minimum of six months and must have an end date. Limited Term staff members receive the same benefits as regular ongoing staff  members in accordance with their FTE status. At the end of their limited term appointment, they are terminated due to lack of work or lack of funds. 

On-Call Employment 

On-call staff members may be needed during special events, peak hours, or intermittently as the College’s needs warrant. On-call staff members are on standby until called to work. These workers are typically hired as part-time or full-time staff with on-call requirements when necessary.

Full-Time and Part-Time Positions

Under any of the employment categories above, you may be employed in a full time or part time capacity. Full time staff positions are positions of .75 FTE or greater and part time staff positions are those positions of less than .75 FTE.