Carnegie Mellon Offers Inflation Relief to Employees

Carnegie Mellon University announced Tuesday that it is offering eligible employees a one-time $1,500 payment to help combat rising inflation. It is also implementing a merit increase program for fiscal year 2023, in which employees will be awarded pay raises based on their performance evaluations.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that about 85 percent of the university’s faculty and staff will be eligible for the payment, which will be delivered this month. Those excluded from the payment include employees due to start July 1, 2022, or after; those covered by collective bargaining agreements; fixed-term employees who are finished by June 30 of this year; employees on long-term disability or unpaid leave; interns; and part-time adjuncts. About 5,000 employees are eligible for the merit salary program, though the expected average increase was not immediately available from Carnegie Mellon.

“As you are aware, and as was mentioned during the recent university-wide town halls, we are seeing cost increases across society, including in food prices, at the gas pump, in the cost of energy for our homes, transportation expenses, and more,” President Farnam Jahanian said in a statement. “The tragic war in Ukraine and global supply chain disruptions are contributing factors that are driving prices up.”

“The work of our outstanding staff and faculty continues to strengthen our research and academic missions, support our students, and enhance our reputation and impact. On behalf of the university’s academic and administrative leadership, thank you for all that you contribute to our mission and to our community.”