OFFER LETTER CHECKLIST

You can protect yourself individually by checking that many critical benefits are included in your offer letter.

Does my offer letter include…
Minimum stipend levels?
($21,329 for 20 hours/week in 2023-2024 Fall & Spring, or $26,059 for three semesters)
100% tuition coverage for each semester?
Fees coverage of at least 50% for each semester?
Specified hours of work? (20 hours weekly for half-time)
Compensation for being overworked?
Performance expectations being provided prior to appointment?
Our grievance procedure in full? (Article VIII of our current contract)
Right to grieve evaluations of my work?
Right of me or my union steward to inspect my personnel file?
Right to request any part of my evaluation in writing?
Guarantee of training for teaching and/or research?
Guarantee of a safe work environment?
Union representation concerning wages and benefits?
Provisions allowing the release of my employment info to COGS?
Health insurance plan options? (UI GradCare or SHIP)
Employer coverage of premiums? (90% for individuals, 70% for dependent coverage)
Dental insurance with employer contributions? (85% for individuals, 70% for dependent coverage)
Reimbursement for travel expenses related to employment?
UI GradCare provisions in full? (there are 39! see the current COGS contract for the list)
Dental coverage provisions in full? (see the current COGS contract for the list!)
Paid leave without pay deductions? (5 working days each semester, or 15 for the fiscal year)
Sick leave without pay deductions? (13.5 days for the academic year, or 18 for the fiscal year)
Protections for the use of sick leave for an ill family member without loss of pay?
Protections for the use of sick leave for the death of a family member without loss of pay?
Protections for performing jury duty without loss of pay?
All 9 Holidays?
(New Year’s, MLK day, Memorial day, Independence day, Labor day, Thanksgiving
Day and the Friday following that day, Christmas Day and either the day before or after)
Protection of all benefits for the duration of the appointment?
Affirmation of the University’s human rights policy?
Deadlines for reappointment letters?
(April 15 for summer and/or fall, November 1 for spring)

Also available from this Google Sheet