This policy provides guidance to all non-exempt employees, employees who are eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and their Time Approvers regarding the reporting and approval of hours worked and absences.

Reason for Policy

Timely and accurate reporting and approval of hours worked and absences taken are important for a variety of reasons....

One of Harvard’s fundamental internal controls is the proper review and approval of transactions.  Preparing or approving any part of a transaction is a significant responsibility.  This policy defines and codifies the responsibilities of individuals who spend Harvard funds and who prepare and approve transactions.  Individuals who spend funds or who...

 Harvard only permits a short-term operating advance (STOA) account for human subject payments or short-term projects where use of other payment methods is not feasible. Under a STOA, Harvard cuts a check to an individual (custodian) who manages and disburses the funds on behalf of a project; the custodian must return any unused funds to Harvard by 30 days after the end date of the project.  Harvard requires all tubs that request or maintain STOAs to do the...

Policy Statement

Per the IRS, a fellowship is an amount paid to or allowed for the benefit of an individual to aid in the pursuit of that individual’s own study or research. At Harvard, we use the term “fellowships” to refer to a host of payments: awards, stipends, grants, and allowances. Fellowships are generally gross income to the recipient, unless they are qualified payments for required tuition and fees for a degree program.

Generally, student and non-employee...

Policy Statement

As of September 1, 2016, the University will adopt the current Staff Mobile Phone Policy pilot program as a permanent policy. The University will continue to evaluate the policy periodically and may introduce changes for both new and existing staff in the future.  Individual Harvard schools or units may have implemented more restrictive policies; staff should refer to local policy for more information.

New Harvard University staff and existing staff who did not have a Harvard mobile phone or receive reimbursement or other subsidy for a...

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This policy defines when costs for purchased and internally-developed software or cloud-hosting arrangements must be capitalized at the University. If direction differs between this policy and external regulations, sponsor or donor terms, or other internal policy or procedures, the more restrictive instruction will apply.

This policy exists to ensure...

Policy Statement

This policy establishes accounting treatment of lease agreements entered into by the University, both as a lessee and as a lessor.  There are two types of lease classifications: capital and operating.  The proper lease classification is important because it determines the University’s accounting and reporting requirements.  

Reason for Policy...

Policy Statement

It is Harvard’s policy that an individual who is paid to provide services to Harvard must be hired as an employee unless the engagement satisfies the three-part Independent Contractor test.

An Independent Contractor (IC) is generally an individual who is in an independent trade, business, or profession and offers services to the general public....

... Read more about Gifts and Celebratory Events for Employees and Nonemployees

... Read more about Travel Policy

... Read more about Reserves for Bad Debt

... Read more about Tax Compliance for External Revenue-Generating Activities in the U.S. (also known as Unrelated Business Income Tax (UBIT))

... Read more about Fraud Awareness and Reporting