The Human Resources and Business Services divisions are working together to assure that bookstore employees are provided with information and services now that Barnes & Noble is assuming management of Penn's bookstore on July 1.
"We care about our employees, and we understand that they are anxious about their future employment," said Executive Vice President John Fry. "We are keeping everyone informed about the process, about Barnes & Noble policies, and about the resources available to help them through this transition."
Barnes & Noble has agreed to give first consideration to all current University bookstore employees, Fry said. Barnes & Noble began interviewing all current employees yesterday and will complete those interviews today. The company will notify all employees of their status by May 30.
Approximately 45 employees attended three résumé-development and interviewing-skills sessions conducted last week by Human Resources. Employees were provided with general information about Barnes & Noble, as well as the specific questions they would be asked at their interviews. In addition, each bookstore employee received a letter with the following details:
* Staff hired by Barnes & Noble will receive their current rate of pay plus a salary increase equal to that for which they were eligible on July 1, 1996.
* Barnes & Noble will provide annual vacation time equal to each staff member's current eligibility or the Barnes & Noble schedule, whichever is greater.
* For weekly paid staff in the defined benefit pension program, Barnes & Noble will vest each individual with their current years of service at Penn in the Barnes & Noble 401(k) plan.
* Barnes & Noble will waive any pre-existing conditions for eligibility in its medical and dental plans.
Marie Witt, director of support services for Business Services, said that bookstore employees hired by Barnes & Noble will still be able to use Penn's credit union.
Fry said that the University was continuing to negotiate with Barnes & Noble regarding other issues, such as sick leave, short-term disability and other benefits.
"We entered into this arrangement with Barnes & Noble not only because they are a terrific bookstore, but also because they are a first-class employer," Fry said.
Those employees not hired by Barnes & Noble will be assisted by the University's Position Discontinuance and Staff Transition (PDST) policy. The policy provides for both inplacement and outplacement services, pay continuation, and continuation of some benefits to those eligible employees whose positions are eliminated as a result of administrative restructuring.
Return to Compass Features for May 7, 1996