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Payroll - FAQ

Questions and Answers

Q. How come when I add up my paycheck stub it's not the same figure as I see on my W-2?

 A. You may be adding the wrong paycheck stub. The first one you should be adding is the check you received Jan. 1 and the last one you will add is the one you received Dec. 1 (unless you received additional payments on the 5th working day in December or the supplemental payment paid on approximately December 19).
Q. I have additional federal and/or state tax deducted from my paycheck. I am looking at my paystub for the last check I received for the year.  Why is my additional federal and state tax not included in the total federal and state tax amounts?

 A. Go back and add all of your pay check stubs. The additional federal and state tax, though listed separately on your check stub, is also added to the total federal and state tax amounts.
Q. All career employees are paid on the first day of each month. What happens when the first of the month falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or public holiday?

 A. Payday is always the first day of each month for career employees. If the first falls on Saturday, Sunday, or a public holiday, then payday will be the Friday before the first of the month or the day before the public holiday. An exception to this rule is January 1. PayDay will be the first scheduled work day after the holiday.
Q. Why didn't I get paid?

 A. There are several possible answers:

  • You did not turn in your timesheet to your department in time to meet the payroll deadline;
  • Your department did not report the time you worked to the campus Payroll Division by the deadline;
    • Your appointment ended and was not properly extended; or
  • The paperwork to establish your appointment for pay purposes has been delayed by one of the offices required to approve your appointment.
  • If you are a "Rehire", and the correct PPS bundle was not used at the time of hire, PPS would list your status as "Separated."


    • With all of the above possibilities, we would advise you to ask your department administrator to trace the problem for you. Once the problem has been identified and solved, a partial payment of the amount due can be made available by no later than 3PM the following day.
Q. When will my first SurePay deposit be available in the bank?

 A. SurePay Automatic Deposit will be effective approximately 25 days from the date the Pay Disposition Request form is received by the Payroll Division Office. This initial period is used by the banking system to verify your account number. The same 25-day waiting period is invoked should you change financial institutions or your deposit account number. Payments made to you during this initial waiting period will be made in the form of a paycheck which will be sent to your home department.  Be sure to nofify the Payroll Office immediately if you close your account and you have Direct Deposit.
Q. How do I complete the W-4 form to arrive at the correct number of allowances to claim for federal and state tax withholding?

 A. The Payroll Division is not qualified to answer this question. You should contact a tax accountant. However, we will be able to tell you what your taxes will be if you provide us with the number of exemptions you wish to claim and your marital status.
Q. I am an exempt employee. Am I allowed to be compensated for overtime?

 A. Exempt employees are not allowed to be compensated for overtime. According to Personnel Policies for Staff Members (PPSM) Policy 31, "Hours of Work":
EXEMPT EMPLOYEES
The workweek for full-time exempt employees is normally considered to be 40 hours, and for part-time employees the proportion of 40 hours equivalent to the appointment percentage; however, greater emphasis is placed on meeting the responsibilities assigned to the position than on working a specified number of hours. Exempt employees do not receive overtime compensation or compensatory time off, or additional compensation beyond the established salary for the position except as provided in Staff Policy 30.I, Administrative Stipend for Temporary Assignments.
Q. I am an exempt employee. Am I allowed to accrue compensatory time for hours worked over 40 in a work week?

 A. The accrual of compensatory time for exempt employees violates University Personnel Policies for Staff Members Policy 31, "Hours of Work":
EXEMPT EMPLOYEES
The workweek for full-time exempt employees is normally considered to be 40 hours, and for part-time employees the proportion of 40 hours equivalent to the appointment percentage; however, greater emphasis is placed on meeting the responsibilities assigned to the position than on working a specified number of hours. Exempt employees do not receive overtime compensation or compensatory time off, or additional compensation beyond the established salary for the position except as provided in Staff Policy 30.I, Administrative Stipend for Temporary Assignments.


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