The non-essential hiring delay isn’t such a big deal.

In fact, it’s just a wise business move to help save money before a potential crunch.

About two weeks ago, NIU President John La Tourette said the university would not hire people to replace employees for positions that could be filled by temporaries until after the holiday season.

The reason is simple. If NIU was to hire a new employee before semester break, the new employee would be paid for the month they did not work during the break. The new worker might put in only about 15 days of actual work and get paid for maybe 45 days.

As long as NIU can function adequately without filling an empty position, it makes perfect sense to postpone hiring until January so every dollar paid is for work and not holiday time.

If a manager or department head feels they need to hire someone before the semester end, any vice president can approve the hiring if they deem it necessary.

This is not a panic situation so concerned NIU employees do not need to worry. Officials agree this is a common money-saving tactic that has been deployed at NIU in the past.

In addition to general thriftiness, NIU also is taking the precaution to help prepare for any funding cutbacks from the state that could arise between now and January.

But the delay is not etched in stone; hiring is still possible for necessary situations.