"Postdocs" is a confusing word, because it is used for both apples and
oranges.

Clearly the individual has a doctoral degree, but is she employed, or a
trainee?  You will need different procedures for these different statuses
-- we call them "postdoctoral workers" and "postdoctoral trainees".  There
are different tax situations, etc.  The "worker" has an employment
relationship with you (one result being that FICA as a minimum must be
charged) and the trainee does not (so the income may be taxable to the
trainee, it is not your responsibilty to withhold).  As far as the employee
is concerned, the category you pay her under will depend on a lot of
things, including the benefits package, state law, etc.

THE KEY IS TO DIFFERENTIATE CLEARLY BETWEEN EMPLOYEES AND TRAINEES AND
HANDLE THEM ACCORDINGLY.

Chuck

At 06:01 PM 11/22/98 +0000, you wrote:
>I would like to know how your institution "handles" postdocs. At our
>institution we have 3 "categories" of payment - faculty &staff, consultant,
>student.
>
>Postdocs are usually handled by one of these categories, which, of
>course, is not a very good "fit".
>
>Does your institution have similar categories? If you have a category
>of "training" or something similar that is more tailored to the
>nature of postdocs, I would appreciate hearing from you.
>
>Thank you.
>
>kathy
>
>
>Kathy Sukanek                             601-232-7482
>Associate Director of Research
>The University of Mississippi         601-232-7577 (fax)
>125 Old Chemistry                         xxxxxx@olemiss.edu
>University, Mississippi 38677
>
>
>
>
>Kathy Sukanek                             601-232-7482
>Associate Director of Research
>The University of Mississippi         601-232-7577 (fax)
>125 Old Chemistry                         xxxxxx@olemiss.edu
>University, Mississippi 38677
>
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