Iowa Addendum

In addition to the policies and procedures set forth in the University of Denver Employee Handbook (“Handbook”), the information set forth in a particular state addendum applies only to those University of Denver employees working in the state of the applicable addendum. The state addendum modifies the Handbook as set forth below.

 

In the event of a conflict between the Handbook and any provision of an applicable Addendum, the conflict will be resolved as follows:

 

• If a benefit provided by the University is more generous than the benefit provided in the applicable Addendum, the University will offer the employee the more generous benefit unless such benefit is limited by statute (e.g., to residents of or employees working in Colorado).

 

• If a University policy or procedure provides an employee with more protection than that provided under the applicable Addendum, the University’s more protective policy or procedure will apply to internal University processes, and the policy or procedure specified in the applicable Addendum will apply to external proceedings in the applicable state or local agency.

 

For example, if the University’s Discrimination and Harassment Policy includes more protected statuses than a particular state provides, the University’s Discrimination and Harassment Policy  and the applicable procedures established by the Office of Equal Opportunity & Title IX (EOIX) will apply to a report or complaint filed with EOIX.  For a complaint filed with the state or local civil rights agency, the protections afforded under the state Addendum will apply.

 

Employees with questions about the Handbook or any applicable Addendum should contact their HR Partner at AskHRPartners@du.edu.

 

 

Elected Official Leave

 

Iowa employees who are elected to a municipal, county, state, or federal office may take unpaid time off to serve in that office, except where prohibited by federal law. Employees must provide the University of Denver reasonable advance notice of the need for leave under this Addendum. Employees who take such leave will not lose any net credited services or benefits earned, such as other earned leave. However, the University of Denver will not provide any pension, health, or other benefits during the leave of absence under this Addendum.

 

Equal Employment and Anti-Discrimination Policy

 

This is only an excerpt of the University of Denver’s Non-Discrimination Statement and Discrimination and Harassment policy with state specific information included in italics. Please refer to the complete policy for further information.

 

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions based on merit and University needs. Creating an inclusive and professional environment where employees feel comfortable, safe, and free from inappropriate and disrespectful conduct is one of the University’s core values.

 

The University of Denver does not discriminate against (in any aspect of employment, including recruiting and hiring, job assignment, compensation, opportunities for advancement, promotion, transfers, evaluation, benefits, training, discipline, and termination), nor does it tolerate harassment by any person, including, co-workers, supervisors, and third parties, on the basis of the following Protected Characteristics: In Iowa: age, color, creed, disability, including HIV-positive status, gender identity, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and genetic testing

 

Information about the Iowa Civil Rights Commission can be found at https://icrc.iowa.gov/ or by calling 515-281-4121 or 1-800-457-4416.

 

Holidays

 

If the Organization does not recognize Veterans Day, November 11, as a Holiday, Iowa veterans may receive the day off, unpaid, if they provide at least one month’s advance notice and provide proof-of-service documentation. Leave may be denied if it would impact public health or safety, or it would cause the Organization significant economic or operational disruption. At least 10 days before Veterans Day, The University of Denver will provide employees requesting Veterans Day leave notice of approval or rejection of the request and notice of whether leave will be paid or unpaid.

 

Jury Duty Leave

 

The University of Denver encourages all employees to report for jury duty and provides Iowa employees with unpaid time off for jury duty service. While leave to serve on a jury is unpaid, exempt salaried employees will not have their pay reduced for any week in which they work and also miss time for jury duty.

 

After receiving a summons for jury duty, employees must notify the University of Denver as reasonably possible. The University of Denver may request reasonable documentation of jury duty service to the extent permitted by law. The University of Denver will not discharge, discipline, retaliate against, coerce, or otherwise penalize employees who are absent to attend judicial proceedings in response to a summons for jury duty.

 

Meal and Rest Breaks

 

Non-exempt Iowa employees under 16 who work at least five hours in their workday are entitled and expected to take an unpaid, off-duty, 30-minute rest break. Employees will be relieved of all duties for the full rest break and are free to leave the premises during that time. Failure to take full rest breaks is a violation of University of Denver policy, which may subject employees to disciplinary action, possibly including termination of employment.

 

Pregnancy Leave

 

Iowa employees will be given the necessary unpaid leave for the period that an employee is disabled, up to eight weeks, due to pregnancy, miscarriage, childbirth, abortion, and recovery from each. Employees should give timely notice to the University of Denver to request such leave. The University of Denver may request a doctor’s certificate stating that the employee is not able to reasonably perform the duties of their employment.

 

Volunteer Emergency Service Provider and Civil Service Leave

 

Iowa employees who are volunteer firefighters, reserve peace officers, emergency medical care providers, or other personnel having voluntary emergency service duties, may take unpaid time off to fulfill such duties. Employees must give the University of Denver written notice that they are a member of such a unit or organization.

 

Employees must provide the University of Denver reasonable advance notice of the need for leave under this Addendum. The University of Denver may request reasonable documentation reflecting the need for such leave, including a written statement from the supervisor or acting supervisor of the volunteer emergency services unit or organization stating that the employee responded to an emergency and stating the date and time of the emergency. The University of Denver will not discriminate or retaliate against any employee for joining such a unit or organization.

 

Voting Leave

 

Iowa employees who are eligible to vote in any state election, including a primary or general election, may take up to three hours of paid time off to vote on election day if they do not have at least three consecutive hours off of work while the polls are open.

 

Employees must provide the University of Denver reasonable advance notice of their need to take time off under this policy prior to election day. Time off should be taken when specified by the University of Denver.

 

Witness Duty Leave

 

Iowa employees who are witnesses in a criminal proceeding or a plaintiff, defendant, or witness in a civil proceeding may take unpaid time off to serve as a witness in such proceeding.

 

Employees must provide the University of Denver reasonable advance notice of the need to take time off under this Addendum. The University of Denver may request reasonable documentation reflecting the need for such leave. The University of Denver will not discharge, discriminate, or retaliate against any employee or take or fail to take action regarding an employee’s promotion or proposed promotion or reduce an employee’s wages or benefits for actual time worked for requesting or taking leave in compliance with this Addendum.

 

Employees may use available vacation or paid sick leave during otherwise unpaid time off taken under this Addendum.

 

 

Holidays

 

If the Organization does not recognize Veterans Day, November 11, as a Holiday, Iowa veterans may receive the day off, unpaid, if they provide at least one month’s advance notice and provide proof-of-service documentation. Leave may be denied if it would impact public health or safety, or it would cause the Organization significant economic or operational disruption. At least 10 days before Veterans Day, The University of Denver will provide employees requesting Veterans Day leave notice of approval or rejection of the request and notice of whether leave will be paid or unpaid.