Your questions answered
The Employee Advisory Council meets quarterly to address issues that affect classified employees as a whole about matters impacting all employees. Submit questions to your council representative prior to each meeting, or through the EAC Web site, www.mcg.edu/eac/. Questions may be asked anonymously. The next scheduled meeting is April 11.
Q: A recent article in The Augusta Chronicle discussed the state possibly cutting back on retirees’ benefits. How that might affect us?
A: The article, "Costs jeopardize retirees' benefits," published on Dec. 7, was actually referring to the State Health Plan, not the University System Health Plan. Therefore, according to Susan Norton, director of Human Resources, the article does not affect retirees of the Medical College of Georgia.
Q: Why do HI employees have different benefits and leave schedules than those of us who work for the university?
A: Lee Little, senior legal advisor in the Office of Legal Affairs, replies: The Medical College of Georgia and MCG Health, Inc. are complementary yet separate entities with their own distinct management structures. MCG is a state agency under authority of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. As such, MCG’s policies and practices should be consistent with those of a member institution. In contrast, MCGHI is a non-profit corporation affiliated with MCG, managing the clinical operations of the MCG Medical Center, Children’s Medical Center and other associated facilities in the MCG Health System. Because these entities are separate with different management structures, there are many differences in their operations, policies, practices, employee benefits, etc.
Q: I have noticed that some employees use titles other than those officially given by Human Resources, titles that may be given as a courtesy by administration. This unofficial perk seems confusing and unfair to other employees. Is this legal? What is HR’s stance on this?
A: Susan Norton, director of Human Resources, answers: Functional titles may imply a level of responsibility that is inappropriate and departments should strongly consider the implications when allowing employees to use them. Traditionally, HR has not taken a position on the use of functional titles rather than official ones, and no legal issue is involved. When verifying employment, HR verifies the position classification title, not functional titles.