{"id":6423,"date":"2026-07-02T14:04:18","date_gmt":"2026-07-02T22:04:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/talent\/sample-page\/recruitment-incentive-payments\/"},"modified":"2026-07-03T12:32:54","modified_gmt":"2026-07-03T20:32:54","slug":"recruitment-incentive-payments","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/talent\/hiring-process\/hiring-and-recruiting-policies\/recruitment-incentive-payments\/","title":{"rendered":"Recruitment incentive payments"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 ez-toc-wrap-left counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"cursor:pointer\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #000000;color:#000000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #000000;color:#000000\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/talent\/hiring-process\/hiring-and-recruiting-policies\/recruitment-incentive-payments\/#Program-request\" >Program request<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/talent\/hiring-process\/hiring-and-recruiting-policies\/recruitment-incentive-payments\/#Eligibility\" >Eligibility<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/talent\/hiring-process\/hiring-and-recruiting-policies\/recruitment-incentive-payments\/#Payment-and-amount\" >Payment and amount<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/talent\/hiring-process\/hiring-and-recruiting-policies\/recruitment-incentive-payments\/#Employee-responsibilities-and-repayment\" >Employee responsibilities and repayment<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/talent\/hiring-process\/hiring-and-recruiting-policies\/recruitment-incentive-payments\/#Taxation\" >Taxation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/talent\/hiring-process\/hiring-and-recruiting-policies\/recruitment-incentive-payments\/#Program-review\" >Program review<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/talent\/hiring-process\/hiring-and-recruiting-policies\/recruitment-incentive-payments\/#Department-responsibilities\" >Department responsibilities<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/talent\/hiring-process\/hiring-and-recruiting-policies\/recruitment-incentive-payments\/#Employment-offer\" >Employment offer<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/talent\/hiring-process\/hiring-and-recruiting-policies\/recruitment-incentive-payments\/#Resources\" >Resources<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/talent\/hiring-process\/hiring-and-recruiting-policies\/recruitment-incentive-payments\/#Forms\" >Forms<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p>To support the ability to compete with local organizations and attract top talent, with approval from the Vice President for Human Resources, units may establish a recruitment incentive payment program for staff positions.<\/p>\n<p>A recruitment incentive payment (sometimes called a signing bonus) provides an additional lump sum payment to support the recruitment of specific positions in hard-to-fill job classifications. Units may establish a recruitment incentive payment program for staff positions with approval from the Vice President for Human Resources and in accordance with policy. Job postings approved for a recruitment incentive payment and are posted for broad visibility to potential applicants.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Program-request\"><\/span>Program request<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Units who wish to offer a recruitment incentive program for open staff positions must first submit a request to UWHR using the [form id=&#8221;1492&#8243;]. The request form must be signed by the requesting unit\u2019s administrative official who has delegated authority to approve such a payment such as an appointing authority, dean, vice president, or medical center CEO or their delegate.<\/p>\n<p>Program requests must include a detailed statement of reasons for requesting the program, to include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>degree of difficulty to fill,<\/li>\n<li>education and training required for the job classification, and<\/li>\n<li>market\/competitor research.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Repayment commitment terms and payment amount must be the same across all units for the same job classification, unless otherwise stated in a collective bargaining agreement or by approval by the Vice President for Human Resources.<\/p>\n<p>UW Human Resources reserves the right to amend, interpret, end or suspend recruitment incentive programs at any time.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Eligibility\"><\/span>Eligibility<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Unless an exception is authorized by the Vice President for Human Resources, the program is <strong>not<\/strong> available to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Current employees working in a position in the same job profile in a regular capacity if they move laterally to a different position in the same job profile in another department.<\/li>\n<li>Previous UW employees who return to the same job profile within one year of termination.<\/li>\n<li>Employees in positions with end dates such as nonpermanent, intermittent, fixed term, or professional staff temporary positions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Payment-and-amount\"><\/span>Payment and amount<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Unless a collective bargaining agreement states otherwise, recruitment incentive payments are paid as a lump sum up to a maximum of $10,000 and are not prorated based on FTE. No payment may exceed 15 percent of the employee\u2019s base salary and amounts offered for the same job profile must be the same across units. Exceptions may be approved by the Vice President for Human Resources.<\/p>\n<p>Recruitment incentive payments must be made by the hiring department from the organization\u2019s existing resources and amounts should be based on degree of difficulty to fill, education and training required for the job classification, and market variables. Payments should appear by the second regularly scheduled paycheck following the employee\u2019s start date. Under no circumstances may be made in advance of the individual\u2019s first day of employment.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Employee-responsibilities-and-repayment\"><\/span>Employee responsibilities and repayment<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Recruitment incentive payments are paid to eligible employees after they complete new employee orientation and sign the [form id=&#8221;1489&#8243;] which includes the approved payment amount and repayment terms of up to 24 months of continuous service. Employees who terminate or change jobs out of the position\/department they were hired into prior to completing the approved repayment terms will be required to pay back the full amount of the incentive payment.<\/p>\n<h5>Exceptions<\/h5>\n<p>Units may exercise discretion regarding repayment obligations if an employee\u2019s FTE or shift changes. Additionally, an employee shall not be required to repay the recruitment incentive payment if the employee:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Involuntarily separates as part of a layoff or reduction in force;<\/li>\n<li>Promotes or laterally moves to a new position within the same employing department;<\/li>\n<li>Leaves UW employment due to receipt of military orders for themselves or their spouse;<\/li>\n<li>Has an injury or illness that prevents the employee from working resulting in a medical separation; or<\/li>\n<li>Other good cause as determined by the President, the Provost, or the Vice President for Human Resources, or respective designees.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Taxation\"><\/span>Taxation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Federal law requires that employees pay payroll taxes on lump sum recruitment incentive payments. UW reports these payments on the W-2 form. Employees may wish to seek advice from a tax professional.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Program-review\"><\/span>Program review<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Units should monitor staffing patterns to determine whether recruitment incentive payment programs should continue. Approval by the Vice President for Human Resources is required to add additional job profiles to an already approved program.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Department-responsibilities\"><\/span>Department responsibilities<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Departments are responsible for ensuring compliance with the recruitment incentive payment program including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Collecting department approvals.<\/li>\n<li>Collecting the employee\u2019s [form id=&#8221;1489&#8243;] that includes repayment conditions.<\/li>\n<li>Coordinating the <a href=\"https:\/\/employeehelp.workday.uw.edu\/user-guides\/request_one_time_payment_sc\/\">one-time recruitment incentive payment<\/a> by the employee\u2019s second paycheck. All campus recruitment incentive payments route to the Compensation Office for approval.<\/li>\n<li>Monitoring the employee\u2019s completion of the work commitment terms requiring up to 24 months of continuous service.<\/li>\n<li>Collecting the full amount of the incentive payment should an employee trigger the repayment obligations outlined above.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Employment-offer\"><\/span>Employment offer<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>The conditions of the recruitment incentive payment must be established in writing using the [form id=&#8221;1489&#8243;]. The attestation specifies the required period of continued employment and confirms the employee&#8217;s understanding of the amount, repayment obligations, and possible tax implications.<\/p>\n<p>In advance of authorizing a lump sum recruitment payment, units must discuss the recruitment incentive payment with the successful job candidate, informing them that the payment can only be made after the individual is appointed and on UW payroll, and is conditioned on agreeing in writing to the repayment terms.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Resources\"><\/span>Resources<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/app.leg.wa.gov\/WAc\/default.aspx?cite=357-28-095\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WAC 357-28-095<\/a><\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Forms\"><\/span>Forms<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>[form id=&#8221;1492&#8243;]<br \/>\n[form id=&#8221;1489&#8243;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Units may establish a signing bonus program to attract top talent and compete with local organizations.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":49,"featured_media":0,"parent":6400,"menu_order":40,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"no","slim_seo":{"title":"Recruitment incentive payments - Total Talent Management","description":"Units may establish a signing bonus program to attract top talent and compete with local organizations."},"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-6423","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/talent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6423","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/talent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/talent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/talent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/49"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/talent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6423"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/talent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6423\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6498,"href":"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/talent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6423\/revisions\/6498"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/talent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6400"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/talent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6423"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}