UCOP FY26–27 equity and reclassification review: What you need to know
September 1, 2026 •
In June, President Milliken announced UCOP’s salary program for the coming year, including a 4% increase for eligible policy-covered academic appointees and staff, as well as a separate review of potential equity adjustments and staff reclassifications.
UCOP Human Resources has begun a combined equity and reclassification review, which will continue through the end of 2026. Approved adjustments and reclassifications will be effective January 1, 2027, and employees receiving an approved change can expect to receive a letter in early January.
Equity review
UCOP Compensation will review pay for eligible employees using consistent criteria. The review will consider factors such as time in the role, how pay compares among employees doing similar work, sustained increases in responsibility and pay differences that may not fully reflect differences in experience, responsibilities or tenure.
Employees do not need to request an equity review. All employees who meet the eligibility criteria below will be reviewed automatically, but eligibility for review does not guarantee a salary adjustment.
Employees are eligible for review if they:
- Have a FY25–26 performance rating of “Solid Performance” or higher.
- Were hired into or moved to their current position in 2024 or 2025.
Employees are not eligible for an equity adjustment if they:
- Were hired into or moved to their current position in 2026.
- Hold SMG, TOPS, limited, student, academic or union-represented positions.
UCOP HR will develop recommendations based on the review criteria and eligibility guidelines and share them with division leaders.
Reclassification review
A reclassification, whether upward or lateral, may be appropriate when a position’s duties, scope, responsibilities or level of authority have changed significantly and on an ongoing basis, and a different classification better reflects the work being performed.
To be eligible for review, an employee must have held their current position for at least one year as of Jan.1, 2026, and must have received a FY25–26 performance rating of “Solid Performance” or higher. SMG, TOPS, limited and represented employees are not eligible.
Reclassification requests must be initiated by managers and supervisors after the required division review and approval process is complete. UCOP Compensation will evaluate the position based on the work being performed and recommend the appropriate classification and, when applicable, any salary adjustment, for leadership review and approval.
Managers and supervisors have received and will continue to receive messages from UCOP Human Resources regarding these processes. If you have questions about the equity or reclassification review process, contact your manager or supervisor.
Tags: equity review, reclassification review, salary program
