Safe Harbor Policy for Exempt Employees

Amended: 2/7/2024

Provided by: Department of Human Resources

Related Links and Resources: 

• Collective bargaining agreements   
• Faculty: Faculty should refer to the handbook of their primary school affiliation for guidance. 
• Postdoctoral Scholars Handbook  

This policy applies to all exempt staff, exempt limited term staff or any other exempt members of the Tufts community who are paid directly by Tufts University’s payroll department. 

If you are categorized as an exempt salaried employee, you receive a salary that is intended to compensate you for all hours worked for the university.  This salary is established at the time of hire.  While it may be subject to review and modification from time to time, such as during salary review times, the salary is a predetermined amount that is not subject to deductions for variations in the quantity or quality of work.  This topic relates specifically to salaried employees only. 

Under federal and state law related to exempt salaried employees’ salaries, you are subject to certain deductions. For example, absent contrary state law requirements, your salary is subject to reduction for the following reasons: 

• Full day absences for personal reasons.  
• Full day absences for sickness or disability.  
• Full day disciplinary suspensions for infractions of our written policies and procedures. 
• Family and Medical Leave absences (either full or partial day absences).  
• To offset amounts received as approved payment for jury and witness fees or military pay; or 
• The first or last week of employment in the event of less than a full week worked.  

Subject to University policy and applicable law, available paid time off may be available to remain in pay status.   

Your salary is also subject to reduction for your portion of health, dental, or life insurance premiums; state, federal, or local taxes; social security; or voluntary contributions to a 401(k) or pension plan.   

In any workweek in which you perform any work, your salary is not subject to reduction for any of the following reasons: 

• Partial workday absences for personal reasons, sickness, or disability.  
• Absence due to the University’s decision to close a facility on a scheduled work day. 
• Absences for jury duty, attendance as a witness, or military leave in any week in which any work is performed; or 
• Any other deductions prohibited by state or federal law.  

If you believe that a deduction was improperly taken from your paycheck, you should immediately report this concern to Tufts Support Services. The University will promptly investigate reports of improper deductions. If it is determined that a deduction was improperly taken or that a mistake was inadvertently made, the University will take appropriate corrective action. You may file complaints or raise concerns regarding deductions from wages without fear of retaliation. Managers and supervisors who knowingly make or authorize improper deductions are subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.