4.18 Terminations & Terminal Vacation Pay

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to address the rights and responsibilities of faculty and staff who are terminating employment with the University for any reason, supervisor responsibilities in this process as well as to address any applicable terminal vacation pay.

Policy Statement

The termination date for staff members leaving the University for any reason is normally their last day worked. The termination date for faculty leaving the University at the end of the fall semester will normally be December 31st. The termination date for faculty leaving the University at the end of the spring semester will normally be June 1st. Other unique circumstances, such as a medical leave or mid-semester terminations, may warrant a termination date that differs from the previously mentioned criteria, as deemed appropriate by Human Resource Services (HRS).

Employees who are in appointments that accrue vacation and/or personal holidays, at the time of termination, have the right to be paid for unused accruals (terminal vacation pay) unless stated otherwise in an individual employment contract appointment approved by HRS. Accruals may not be used to extend the termination effective date. Employees also may not take vacation for a period of time greater than what would normally be approved, typically two weeks or less, and return for a brief period (i.e. a few days) resulting in the extension of pay status, vacation accruals, and other university benefits. Final salary payment and terminal vacation pay will be made within the prescribed payroll procedures and time frames. All university property, including keys, must be returned to the place of issue. Employees are expected to complete applicable items on the employee termination checklist.

Supervisors have the responsibility for reporting terminations as outlined in the Termination Procedures, ensuring that university property is returned, and for preparing or directing the completion of a Termination Personnel Action Form (TRM PAF) as soon as termination effective date and reason is known. Supervisors are expected to refer to the supervisor termination checklist for more information on additional supervisor obligations in this process.

Termination Procedures

All relevant supervisory records for staff including, but not limited to, performance notes and information related to compensation decisions must be forwarded to HRS to review for inclusion in the HRS personnel file. Faculty evaluation files remain in the respective departmental offices and faculty personnel files remain in the respective dean’s offices as directed by the Faculty Handbook.

Failure to follow termination procedures may result in overpayments that will need to be collected, inaccurate W-2’s, delayed COBRA notifications or continued access to university spaces, computer systems, and other resources that should not be continued.

Resignations and Retirements (excluding Phased Retirement)

• For resignations, staff are expected to give their supervisor and department head at least two (2) weeks’ notice of their resignation whenever possible. For retirements, staff are expected to give a minimum of 30 calendar days’ notice. Faculty are expected to notify their department head or dean before class assignments are made for the upcoming semester whenever possible. Employees who give insufficient notice may not be eligible for rehire.