Training
Employees covered
All employees
Policy
Northwestern University provides employees with opportunities for educational training and development programs. The University supports training to help employees enhance skills and increase knowledge.
Use of time during work hours for an exempt or nonexempt employee to attend work-related courses or training programs is left to the discretion of the manager or department head.
Program
The training division offers regularly scheduled classes for staff throughout the academic year and occasionally during the summer. Most classes meet during lunch hours for one hour once or twice a week for 6 or 12 weeks.
Classes are held on both the Evanston and the Chicago campuses according to the needs of the staff. Training is available in business writing, communication, service excellence, computer software programs, physical fitness and health awareness, and development of leadership and supervisory skills.
If any one of the following conditions is met, a nonexempt employee must be compensated for the time spent in a training class:
- The training sessions are held during working hours.
- Attendance is mandatory, or employment would be adversely affected by not attending.
- The content is directly related to skills used in the current job.
- The employee is required to perform parts of his or her job while in training.
Some classes require payment of a fee covering training supplies, materials, and, in some cases, room rental, lab fees, or an instructor's fee. If the course is required by the department, the department pays the fees. If the course is not required by the department, the manager or department head determines whether the department or the employee pays.
Procedures
The training division publishes and distributes a catalog of course offerings. A waiting list is maintained for oversubscribed courses.