Office of the Provost
Definitions of EPA and SPA Employment
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
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All UNCG employees work together in dedication to teaching, research, and service for the benefit of the people of the state of North Carolina. At UNCG, the primary practical designations of employment are faculty (those whose major assignment is to teach and conduct research) and staff (those whose major assignment is in support of teaching, research and service). Nevertheless, employment in agencies of the State of North Carolina, of which the University is one, is either subject to the State Personnel Act (SPA) or exempt from the State Personnel Act (EPA).
The North Carolina General Statutes (G.S. 126 and G.S. 116) reflect that all employees of the State are to be SPA, except those employees who fall into certain specific categories. The following categories of employees are some of those that are to be EPA: instructional and research staff, physicians, dentists, senior academic and administrative officers, and persons holding permanent tenure.
Differences Between EPA and SPA Employees
| EPA | SPA |
|---|---|
| Exempt from the State Personnel Act of North Carolina (G.S. 126) | Subject to the State Personnel Act of North Carolina (G.S. 126) |
| EPA positions do not earn over or comp time. They are exempt from the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. | HRS determines whether or not an SPA employee is subject to or exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act based upon the responsibilities of the position. Those positions subject to FLSA may earn comp or over time. |
| Certain EPA employees may elect to participate in TSERS or may choose an optional retirement program. | Participation in Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System(TSERS) is mandatory if an SPA employee is eligible to participate in a retirement program. |
| No classification or salary grade system | State classification and salary grade system |
| Subject to mandatory departmental performance review | Performance Management Program is mandatory. |
| Personnel served by the Office of the Provost under the authority of the UNC Board of Governors (except in the administration of benefits) | Personnel served by the Department of Human Resource Services under the authority of the Office of State Personnel |