POLICY NO: 629
EFFECTIVE DATE: 02/15/2006
TERMINATION
This policy has been designed to assure that the University meets its responsibilities
and complies with its internal guidelines in making termination decisions. These
responsibilities must be met regardless of the source of funds from which individual
salaries are paid. HUP employees are not covered by this policy. Nothing contained in this
policy is intended to create legally enforceable contractual rights.
The employment of a staff member may not be terminated involuntarily for any reason
without prior review by Division of Human Resources (DHR)/Staff and Labor Relations.
When a staff member is separated from the University, it is the responsibility of the
home department to document the termination and terminate the employee from the payroll
system (which will stop benefit premiums). Any costs for benefits premiums that arise from
incorrect and/or late entry into the Personnel/Payroll System are the responsibility of
the department and may be charged to the department. The department is also responsible
for paying out all unused and accrued paid time off days to all staff members who have
successfully completed their Introductory Period and have voluntarily or involuntarily
terminated employment.
In addition, the terminating staff member's University identification card, keys, all
library books and other University property must be returned to the University.
Further, it is the responsibility of the home department to take reasonable
steps to inventory and remove (or request removal of) the terminated
employee's access privileges to University, departmental, School, and other
information systems containing personal or proprietary data.
629.1 BENEFIT CONTINUATION
The University complies with the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986
(COBRA) by extending to eligible staff and their eligible dependents the right to continue
benefit coverage under the medical and dental plans if coverage would be lost by reason of
a qualifying event. Coverage is available for the period prescribed by law (18 or 36
months), at the individual's expense including an administrative charge. Eligible staff
are those eligible to enroll in one or more of these plans when a qualifying event occurs.
Eligible dependents are spouses and dependent children, i.e. children up to 19 years of
age, or 23 years of age if a full time student. Qualifying events include voluntary or
involuntary termination, other than for reasons of gross misconduct; voluntary or
involuntary reduction of hours of work; death; divorce; a dependent child's loss of
dependent status; and an employee's election of Medicare benefits as his or her primary
coverage.
Applicability: All staff members
Cross-reference: Policy 001, Policy 607, Policy 621, Policy 622, Policy 623, Policy 624, Policy 630
Supersedes Policy Number(s): 701, 629 (08/15/1995, 07/12/1999)