Conference 7.286::digital

    Recently I looked into the level of mgt. disgression afforded by this
    policy (as an action item for our staff).  I spent time looking over
    the P&P writeup with one of our personnel consultants.  
    
    Bottom Line: Tuition reimbursement is a different kind of benefit from
    		 vacation accrual, health insurance, etc.  
    
    1. Managers are urged to take business conditions and needs into
    	account when approving courses.
    
    2. An individual's performance, job needs, and current project state
    	are all legitimate considerations that might lead to approval or
    	disapproval.
    
    -Ken

    Ken,

    Thanks for your response:


    (( 1. Managers are urged to take business conditions and needs into    ))
    ((     account when approving courses.                                 ))

    (( 2. An individual's performance, job needs, and current project state))
    ((     are all legitimate considerations that might lead to approval   ))
    ((     or disapproval.                                                 ))

RE 1.  From the policy and procedures book section 4.13:

    "Manager's Responsibility

     Managers are responsible for anticipating the education and
     training requirements of their employees and should plan for them
     during the annual budget process.  They should emphasize to
     employees the importance of education and training to their overall
     development plan, while at the same time, considering Digital's
     business needs.

     When approving an employee's request for education or training, a
     manager becomes responsible for the financial investment the
     Company makes.  Therefore, it is important that managers stay
     informed of the education and training activities that their
     employees have committed to."
                      
    Digitals business needs permit a trip to Hawaii last month for sales
    reps but cannot afford Computer Science courses for a software
    specialist?  No wonder Digital is going down the tubes.

    re 2.:
    This policy has not been applied to any individuals, but rather the
    entire District.  Job needs? does a software person need to know
    C programming?  Project state?  Our district has $millions in service
    contracts.

    When I came to work at Digital 9 years ago I was impressed by the
    ability of local management to make decisions.  Now, however I have
    come to realize that we can no longer be managed as a large group of
    individual companies.  Rather we need corporate policies to be applied to
    the company as a whole, rather than having one entity having $200
    customer luncheons and another saving toll receipts for 25 cents.    
    
    All I can say is that situations like this make working for Digital
    less and less attractive.
                         

    As long as we're on the topic of educational assistance. I've heard
    that we may be TAXED this year on the tuition we've paid for calendar
    year 92. Apparently congress/Bush/whoever has not authorized that
    tuition reimburiment not be taxed. Has anyone else heard this ???
    

    This issue has come up in the U.S. each year for the last 3 years 
    that I am aware of.  Congress passes a law allowing the deduction. 
    The law has a 'sunset' clause (it runs out before the end of the 
    calendar year).  Last year it was revived and made retroactive.  The
    employee ends up not paying taxes on this 'benefit'.  I hope it is
    again revived so I won't have to pay taxes on tuition reimbursement
    for my MBA classes.
    

    The $5350 "safe harbor" provision did in fact expire at the end of June
    of this year.  The renewal package was in HR11 (I think) which was
    vetoed by Bush -- HR11 also contained a lot of other things that we not
    of much benefit, like lowering the effective estate tax threashold.
    
    Notwithstanding some quick action from the legislative branch and
    cooperation from the executive (Bush), I believe there is little chance
    for the return of the safe harbor this year.  There was a memo, your
    PSA should have it, delineating what courses tthe corporation would
    deem taxable and include in your income.  By the way, if tax is to be
    taken it comes out before the money gets to you.
    
    Tom

    Re my base note .0                          
    
    What was the net result of the expropriation of educational assistance?
    
    3 people decided to put their education on hold until the ban is
    lifted.
    
    The 4th, myself, secured a position with a stable company.
    
    Seeeee-ya