Understanding Waiver Requests

At UCLA, competitive recruitment is the standard process for hiring staff into career and contract positions. This practice promotes fairness, equity, and access to employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. However, in rare and exceptional cases, a Waiver of Recruitment may be approved in lieu of conducting an open recruitment. 

A waiver request must be reviewed and approved by the Vice Chancellor of Human Resources, in consultation with the Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI). Departments may request a waiver only under specific circumstances that justify an exception to the normal recruitment process. 

When a Waiver May Be Considered 

Waiver requests are evaluated based on clearly defined criteria outlined in UCLA Procedure 20 – Recruitment. A waiver may be granted for one or more of the following reasons: 

1. Business Necessity or Contractual Obligation 

   An immediate need to fill the position and the time needed to conduct a competitive recruitment would adversely impact the department’s ability to meet critical operational needs, or when filling the position is necessary to comply with a formal contractual obligation of the University. 

2. Health & Safety 

   The delay resulting from conducting a competitive recruitment would endanger the health and safety of the UCLA community.  

3. Transfer of Academic Appointee, Organizational Entity, or Program 

   Circumstances in which a new academic appointment includes the transfer of the academic appointee's staff from a former institution; or under special appointment conditions, such as when an organizational entity or program is transferred to UCLA from another government agency, private entity or UC location, along with designated current employees. 

4. Prior Open Recruitment (Contract-to-Career Appointment) 

   When converting a contract appointment to a career appointment, provided the incumbent was selected through an open recruitment and does not qualify for an exemption under Section F.12 of UCLA Procedure 20-Recruitment. 

   Note: Approval of a waiver does not exempt departments from honoring existing University personnel policies and collective bargaining agreements, including recall and preferential rehire rights for employees on layoff status. 

Step-by-Step Instructions 

For detailed instructions on how to request a waiver, including documentation requirements and routing steps, please visit: 

Waiver of Recruitment Requests – Step-by-Step Guide 

Questions?

If you have questions, please contact your Campus Human Resources Talent Acquisition Consultant (TAC).