Important Sources of Information

This section contains information about policy-related resources that are available to you. Although some documents referred to here apply directly to you and your job, others apply to employees with whom you may work frequently. We urge you to become familiar with those resources important to you. 

The Manager's Toolkit

The Manager's Toolkit details university policies concerning personnel administration. It is published for use by managerial and supervisory employees to help them carry out duties relating to human resource issues. The human resource policies of the university do not create, nor are they intended to create, a promise or representation of continued employment for any employee. Any employee without an employment agreement for a specified duration is an employee-at-will and may be terminated at any time. These policies also do not constitute or reflect terms of a contract between the university and any employee. The university retains the right to withdraw, add to, or amend policies as well as the right not to apply a policy in a particular case.

The policies in the manual apply to all employees of the university except the faculty and the executive group, defined as the President, Vice Presidents, Non-Faculty Deans, Corporate Officers, and other positions specifically designated by the President. They apply to librarians except when statements conflict with The Code Governing Librarians in Service at the Melvin Gelman Library, which takes precedence over the manual for librarians employed at Gelman Library. The policies also apply to ungraded Sponsored Programs Research personnel except when statements conflict with the Handbook for Sponsored Programs.

In addition, employees in collective bargaining units are covered by terms of collective bargaining agreements between the university and relevant unions. Those agreements must be consulted for the terms and conditions of employment applicable to such employees. Policies in the manual apply to employees in collective bargaining units unless otherwise noted. If there is a direct conflict between a specific provision of the manual and the collective bargaining agreement, the agreement takes precedence over the manual.

The manual does not apply to consultants, independent contractors, and employees of external organizations, such as temporary staffing agencies and construction companies.

Faculty Code and Faculty Handbook

The Faculty Code is established by the Board of Trustees of the university and governs the academic personnel of the university. The Faculty Handbook is used by the university faculty and covers academic policies contained in the Faculty Code; faculty appointment and personnel policies; university policy on research; and benefits for full-time and regular part-time faculty members. Information about special services, including library facilities, data network services, academic publications, and faculty-related organizations is also contained in the handbook.

The Faculty Handbook is a good source of information for work that requires employees to interact with or assist faculty. 

Handbook for Sponsored Programs

The Handbook for Sponsored Programs provides complete information on policies and procedures concerning the administration of sponsored programs. It is prepared for use by principal investigators, project directors, and administrative staff of the university. The handbook outlines the university's research policy and covers program administration, proposal preparation, administrative guidelines, budget and expenditures, travel, personnel administration issues, and post-award administrative considerations. You can obtain a copy of the Handbook for Sponsored Programs from the University Office of Sponsored Research. For matters specifically related to the administration of the Medical Center's research programs, please contact the Medical Center Office of Research.

Resident Manual

The Office of Graduate Medical Education provides all medical residents with a manual concerning specific actions and activities pertaining to their education and employment. The Resident Manual explains medical resident responsibilities, benefits, policies on leave, guidelines for disability and leave without pay, procedures for appeal and review of disciplinary actions, and GW Medical Center and Hospital policies and procedures.

If you are a medical resident, it is important that you review the contents of this manual. You can obtain a copy from the Office of Graduate Medical Education.

Collective Bargaining Agreements

 Some employees are covered under a collective bargaining agreement (CBA). The terms and conditions of such agreements do not apply to employees outside of the bargaining unit. If you are unsure which (if any) CBA applies to you, please consult your supervisor or HR Client Partner for details