Policy Manual – Political Activity

HUMAN RESOURCES AND LABOR RELATIONS
Section 403 Political Activity

Effective: 1/29/75
Last Revised: 11/16/98
Responsible Office: Human Resources

Policy Statement:

It is the intent of the University of Maine System to encourage its employees to fulfill their obligations as citizens to participate in the political process at the local, state, and national level. Such participation may, at times, include the holding of elective or appointive positions. No employee shall be compensated by the University System for actual time which the employee devotes to seeking public office or to fulfilling responsibilities of public office.

Procedures:

1. Prior to deciding to run for elective office or to accept an appointment to public office, an employee shall apply for an adjustment in employment conditions that would make it possible to discharge the duties of the office. These adjustments may include, but shall not be limited to, leaves-of-absence without pay for the period of service or days off on a weekly or monthly basis with due regard for the needs of the unit.

2. The specific conditions and agreements for the adjustment of the employee’s status with the University System shall be worked out by the employee with his or her immediate supervisor and shall be subject to the final approval of the President or of the Chancellor for staff members in System-wide Services.