Business Operations handles business functions for all units of Illinois Human Resources. Staff work with campus units regarding charges for Pre-Employment testing, other types of medical testing, and for background checks. Procurement and inter departmental transfers are handled by this unit. This unit is responsible for building facilities in all IHR locations. The staff administer the annual Chancellor’s Distinguished Staff Award (CDSA) and the Service Recognition Banquet.   

The Classification & Compensation section is responsible for evaluating and classifying positions in accordance with the State Universities Civil Service System guidelines, including those that are exempted from Civil Service. It is also responsible for establishing and implementing policies and procedures related to compensation for Civil Service and Academic staff. 

The Records Administration & Appointments Processing staff maintain the official employee files, manage records and information systems related to personnel transactions such as employment, seniority, leaves of absence, terminations and status changes. This is the area responsible for ensuring employees are processed through Payroll and pay changes are accurate, in compliance with policy and timely.

Faculty/Staff Assistance Services has a staff of licensed counselors who provide confidential assessment of personal and professional concerns, as well as short-term and solution focused counseling to University of Illinois employees, retirees and their household members. Additionally, we provide leadership consultations and work group services tailored to the specific issues that affect a work group. 

HR Policy & Administration provides guidance and counsel on academic human resources policies, including, but not limited to, academic appointment structure, notice of appointment and non-reappointment, sabbaticals, employment agreements, and tenure maintenance. The unit also has oversight of HR systems for the campus and collaborates with System HR Services on system-wide HR initiatives and applications. It serves as a liaison with the Board of Trustees office for academic staff appointments. This area also is the point of contact for all employment matter FOIA request responses for the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Staff in this unit provide primary assistance to the Council of Academic Professionals, including administration of the annual Chancellor’s Academic Professional Excellence (CAPE) award process, and administrative support for the Faculty Advisory Committee (FAC).

Labor & Employee Relations staff act as a resource to campus units, supervisors, and employees to resolve employment situations and ensure that practices, rules, and policies relating to the workplace are properly administered and in compliance with all applicable guidelines. Staff in this section provide information and services concerning policy, unions, contract interpretation and administration, performance management and discipline, grievances, employee relations, disability, post-accident drug and alcohol testing, shared benefits, Family and Medical Leave (FMLA), and related training. Labor and Employee Relations is responsible for the negotiation of all collective bargaining agreements for the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The mission of Strategic Initiatives is to provide services and impact workplace culture to develop the whole employee. This unit fosters a positive, supportive and healthy workplace that helps employees to do their jobs well and succeed in accomplishing personal and professional goals. Staff in this area are responsible for HR strategy, marketing and communications; healthy living at work and at home (Campus Wellbeing Services); career support and community engagement for partners of newly recruited tenure-system faculty and senior administrators (Dual Career Program); and design and delivery of employee training and organization development programs (Employee Development and Learning).

The Talent Acquisition functional area encompasses Employment Services, Testing and Applicant Services. The Talent Acquisition area recruits, interviews, determines qualifications of candidates, and administers examinations as governed by the State Universities Civil Service System. Staff assist campus units in filling vacant positions through the register/referral process and manages the University’s background check processes for new employees. This area also oversees reductions in the civil service labor force.