Temporary Pause on Salary and Personnel Actions

The UNC System recently issued guidance to all institutions, requiring them to act immediately to curb all personnel and contract spending beyond the levels that were in place as of April 30, 2025. This guidance was issued as a precautionary measure as we await an approved North Carolina state budget. You may recall from previous years that N.C.G.S. § 143C-5-4(b)(5) mandates salary schedules and personnel actions remain fixed in the absence of a state budget.

In light of this situation, effective immediately, all salary increases, classification changes and other personnel actions involving salary modifications–excluding temporary hires and adjunct appointments–are on hold until further notice. Additionally, only critical hires that fall within each division’s administrative and salary caps, established by parameters provided by the System, may move forward. This includes the recruitment of time-limited personnel, which are different than temporary employees. Vice chancellors and business officers were provided with the parameters for their divisions by Vice Chancellor Amon. Additionally, any critical hiring actions must have the approval of Chancellor Gaber and Vice Chancellor Amon.

We understand how disruptive this may be, especially for teams with open roles or pending actions. We ask that you speak directly with your employees affected by this pause. For those anticipating potential salary adjustments, please assure them that this is not a reflection of performance. It is a University-wide action necessary to ensure we comply with System guidance and state law.

If you have an open staff search, human resources will contact all candidates by Tuesday, July 1, to advise them of this situation. Academic Affairs will follow up separately regarding faculty searches. If you have already interviewed candidates, you are encouraged to follow up with them as well. Suggested language, should you need it, is included in the FAQs below.

Human Resources will share updates as soon as we are able. In the meantime, please reach out to your vice chancellor or divisional business officer with questions.

FAQ’s

What information should I provide to a candidate who has already interviewed for a job that is now paused?
Human Resources will notify all applicants in open searches about the pause. However, if you have already interviewed candidates, you are encouraged to follow up as well. The language below can help guide you:

  • Thank you again for taking the time to speak with us about the XXXX role at UNC Charlotte. We truly enjoyed getting to know you and learning more about your experience.
  • I’m reaching out to let you know that, due to a UNC System-wide directive, we need to pause most personnel actions, including active searches. As a result, we are unable to move forward with the hiring process at this time.
  • I understand this may be disappointing news for you. I want to reiterate our appreciation for your interest in the role and in UNC Charlotte.
  • Should circumstances change and we can resume the search, I will be in touch.
  • Thank you again for your time, patience and understanding.

Can we process a new temporary position for recruitment and hire?
Yes. Non-student temporary positions remain eligible for recruitment and hire at this time. Please refer to the Temporary Employee webpage for additional guidance.

Are retention bonuses still permitted during the pause?
Yes. Retention bonus requests may still be submitted using the existing process.

Is internal hiring permitted during the pause?
At this time, all recruitments are paused. Requests for exceptions for critical positions may be submitted from your Vice Chancellor for review by Vice Chancellor Amon and Chancellor Gaber.

What is the anticipated duration of the pause?
The pause is in effect until further notice. We will provide updates and additional guidance as more information becomes available.

Are faculty positions affected by the pause?
Faculty position requests may proceed only with approval from the Provost, Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs and the Chancellor.

Can position descriptions be updated during the pause?
Yes. Position description updates that do not involve salary adjustments may continue to be submitted. This includes changes such as supervisor updates, funding source modifications, FTE adjustments, FLSA exemption reviews and position eliminations.

Are student, post-doc and graduate assistant positions impacted by the pause?
No. Student and graduate assistant positions are not included in the pause. These may continue to be processed under existing procedures.

This information was last updated on June 26, 2025.