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5.09 Complaints and Garnishments

Origination date: 10/1/93
Revised: 1/1/2000
Applicability: Academic Professionals, Administrators, Classified Staff, Faculty, Service Professionals

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to cooperate with state and local officials in the lawful collection of garnishments and resolution of complaints and court orders.

All employees are expected to conduct their private business affairs in a manner that will not bring discredit to the university. The university will not serve as agent for the collection of indebtedness claims against employees. Therefore, only those claims that have undergone due process of law will be honored.

Complaints

Complaints against an employee for reasons unassociated with his/her employment by the university will not be considered.

Telephone complaints of collectors are not to be knowingly referred to an employee.

Complaints, claims or requests for collection assistance received by the department head or supervisor will be referred to the Payroll Department for reply.

Garnishments

Garnishments against earnings issued by Arizona or federal courts will be honored in accordance with their terms.

Garnishments obtained by creditors for employees are served by the courts upon the chief disbursing officer (Comptroller/Payroll Department) of the university for garnishment of state salaries or wages paid by the University.

Child support orders will be honored by the Comptroller/Payroll Department in accordance with state and federal regulations.

All new employees mandated to pay child support are required, by the Clerk of the Court or Clearing House, to notify the Payroll Department of this requirement within 10 days of commencing employment and as required by Arizona Law.

Service of Court Orders

When a university employee is the subject of a summons, subpoena, or court order unrelated to university business, the service of the court order must be coordinated through the Northern Arizona University Police Department.

The process server, county constable, or other law enforcement officer should be referred to the Northern Arizona University Police Department.

Supervisors or other employees could be cited with interfering with judicial proceedings under A.R.S. 13-2810 A.2, if they obstruct in any way the service of any lawful order, process, or other mandate of a court.