Photo credit: www.higheredjobs.com
Recent findings from CUPA-HR indicate a consistent drop in the number of non-exempt staff employees in higher education over recent years. The organization’s latest workforce trends report, titled “The Non-Exempt Higher Education Staff Workforce: Trends in Composition, Size, and Equity,” provides a comprehensive analysis of the staff landscape from the 2016-17 academic year through to 2023-24.
Noteworthy findings include an overall 9 percent decline in the full-time non-exempt workforce since 2017. Part-time employee numbers are also down by 8 percent during the same timeframe. The most pronounced drop began in 2020, coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting reductions of 3.3 percent for full-time workers and a substantial 17.2 percent for part-time positions.
The report outlines several other critical observations:
- The representation of non-exempt staff aged 55 and older has decreased, with their proportion falling from 34% in 2019-20 to 31% in 2023-24, indicating that non-exempt staff are generally becoming younger.
- Women constitute 59% of the non-exempt workforce, predominantly within office and clerical roles. However, disparities in wage equity persist; women earn $0.96 for every dollar earned by White men, with Black and Hispanic women earning even less at $0.92 and $0.94 respectively.
- People of color represent 33% of the non-exempt staff, a higher percentage compared to their representation in other workforce segments, including faculty and administration.
- Gender and racial inequities are compounded among non-exempt staff, with women and Black employees often filling the lowest-paying positions while being underrepresented in higher-paying roles.
For further details, you can explore the report and its accompanying interactive graphics.
*Non-exempt employees are those covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act, meaning they are eligible for overtime pay for hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek. These employees, including electricians, police officers, custodians, and food service workers, must track their hours and receive at least the federal minimum wage.
About CUPA-HR
CUPA-HR serves as a leading authority on compensation surveys within higher education, with research initiatives crafted by HR professionals in the sector for their peers and campus leaders. With over 50 years of experience in gathering workforce data, CUPA-HR boasts one of the largest workforce databases available. The organization publishes various research studies and provides interactive tools that highlight trends related to workforce planning, pay equity, and the representation of women and racial/ethnic minorities.
Dedicated to supporting higher education, CUPA-HR offers resources, advocacy, and connections that foster organizational and workforce excellence. Serving over 33,000 HR professionals at nearly 2,000 member institutions across the globe, it provides extensive learning and development programs, salary data, and timely regulatory information.
Source
www.higheredjobs.com