Human Resources

Overview

Employees who believe that they have a disability necessitating an accommodation should contact Employee & Labor Relations. It is the responsibility of the employee with a disability to self-identify and inform the University that an accommodation is requested. Documentation of the disability will be required. Requests for reasonable accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis involving a cooperative effort among the employee, the supervisor and Employee & Labor Relations, with due consideration of the documentation that has been submitted.

Requesting an Accommodation
 

• Start the process to request an accommodation.
• Complete the Medical Certification Form (to be completed by a healthcare provider) and email it to ada@wcupa.edu.
• Once a request has been received, an interactive process meeting will be scheduled with Employee & Labor Relations and, if applicable, a direct supervisor to discuss possible accommodations.
• Employee & Labor Relations will then determine reasonable accommodation(s), if any. The requesting employee can expect a Formal Determination Letter by email, unless otherwise requested, from the Office of Employee & Labor Relations.
• If approved, a meeting may be required to discuss the implementation of the accommodation(s). The Formal Determination Letter will be kept in the employee’s Official Personnel File (OPF) and within the Office of Employee & Labor Relations. A copy will be provided to the direct supervisor of the employee for their records as well. Medical information will be disclosed only on a “need to know” basis.
• If denied, the Formal Determination Letter will explain both the reason(s) for the denial of the requested accommodation(s) and the process for appealing the decision.
• Furniture can be requested through the ADA Furniture Request Form and is handled by Facilities. If furniture accommodations discussed in the approval are not listed in the form, please contact Facilities at 610-436-3200.

Time Frame for Processing Requests and Providing Reasonable Accommodations:

• Employee & Labor Relations will process requests in as short a period as reasonably possible. The time frame for processing requests is as soon as possible, but no later than fifteen (15) business days from the date the request is made provided the employee has shared necessary and complete medical documentation. Please note the provision of the accommodation will depend on sharing necessary medical documentation and employee availability for an interactive process meeting. In all cases, requested accommodation can only be provided following the employee’s participation in an interactive processing meeting.
• Accommodations that have significant financial impacts on the University will take further approval and may exceed the 15-day time frame.

Appeals Process:

• Employees dissatisfied with the determination of the reasonable accommodation may request reconsideration by the Chief Human Resource Officer. Requests for reconsideration must be made within ten (10) business days of receipt of the determination letter and can be sent to hrs@wcupa.edu.
  If you are not considered an individual with a disability but would like to discuss options such as FMLA, please contact the Human Resources department at 610- 436-2800.

Protection of Minors

BACKGROUND CHECKS

As a result of PASSHE Board of Governors' Policy 2014-01-A , Protection of Minors, all prospective and current employees, including WCU student employees, are required to obtain criminal background check clearances on a cycle of every five years.

The required clearances are as follows:

• PA State Police Clearance
• PA Child Abuse Clearance
• FBI Clearance

MANDATED REPORTER

A mandated reporter is defined as a person obligated by PA law to report child abuse in situations where there is reasonable cause to suspect child abuse. All West Chester University administrators, faculty, coaches, staff, student workers, independent contractors, and volunteers are considered mandatory reporters.

The PASSHE Board of Governors' Policy 2014-01-A requires training for all employees on Mandated Reporting of Child Abuse.

For questions regarding Protection of Minors and background checks, please contact Tanya Amanto at tamanto@wcupa.edu.

Collective Bargaining Agreements

West Chester University employees are represented by a number of Unions each with a separate and distinct collective bargaining agreement. West Chester University believes that our Labor Unions are a partner in the workplace and work for our collective mission of student success. The Office of Employee & Labor Relations works closely with managers, supervisors, and Unions to facilitate communication and cooperation across the University in achieving that mission.

Unions Representing Employees Under Collective Bargaining Agreements at WCU. Click to view the agreement:

• Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF)
• The State College & University Professional Association (SCUPA)
• Coaches (APSCUF Non-Faculty Athletic Coaches)
• American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Master Agreement
• American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Master Memorandum
• PASSHE Officers Association (POA)
• Security, Police, and Fire Professionals of America (SPFPA) Memorandum of Understanding
• Office of Professional Employees International Union Healthcare Pennsylvania (OPEIU)

WCU Policy Library

The electronic policy library is the authoritative source of WCU policies and related procedures.

WCU governs the organization through federal and state statutes, board of governor’s policies and procedures, Middle States accreditation standards and requirements of affiliations, and University policies and procedures. The WCU Policy Framework sits within WCU’s broader shared governance structure. The Framework consists of policies, procedures, and schedules, whereby a policy is introduced at the University level and provides the rules to be applied by decision makers and is used to guide the development of procedures. The Framework supports effective policy development, review, and implementation by defining roles and responsibilities within the University’s governance and management structure. The University uses a consistent process and format for approving, issuing, reviewing, and maintaining policies and procedures. This process is designed to provide continuity, ease of access and understanding, and transparent guidance to the University community.

Search for WCU policies by name, division, or by keywords.

Board of Governors Policy

The State System's founding legislation (Act 188 of 1982) provides broad statutory authority to the various governing bodies of the State System.

The Board of Governors establishes System-wide policies by which all State System Universities operate. The Chancellor provides procedures, standards, and guidelines for the administration of the State System and its Universities. This site provides a library of the Board of Governors Policies.

The following are PASSHE Board of Governors policies and standards that apply to Human Resources and Employee & Labor Relations:

• Amorous Relationships
• Sexual Misconduct
• Protection of Minors
• Conflict of Interest
• Non-Discrimination Policy
• Drug-Free Workplace
• Management Employee Retreat Rights
• Terms and Conditions of Employment of Senior Policy Executives
• Equal Opportunity
• Merit Principles
• 2011-08-A HR Manual of Commonwealth Management Directives and Manuals
• Payroll Advance (Limited)
  • Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Management Directive Library
• Complement Management and Reporting
• Sick, Parental and Family Care Absence, Military Exigency Absence and Military Caregiver Absence Procedure for Nonrepresented Employees
• Temporary Out of Classification Assignments
• Employee Compensation for Sponsored Activities for State System Universities
• Nonrepresented Employees Performance and Reward Program
• Guidelines for University Use of Cell Phones

Visit the PASSHE Board of Governors website to view all policies or review all procedures and standards.

FORMS

AFSCME Witness Statement Document

Intent to Contract BLR-1 Form

Medical Certification Form

Union Contacts