Relocating Employees

All offer letters dated October 15, 2019, or later must comply with this new policy.

The University may provide a moving allowance when relocation is necessary for employees, who are hired on a continuing full-time basis for the period of at least one academic year and who accept employment with the University.  Moving allowance for the relocation of an existing employee is allowable in cases where the employee is reassigned and the relocation is in the best interest of the campus, college, or administrative unit.

Moving allowances must be negotiated at the time a position is offered and must be included in the signed offer letter.  Department heads may approve amounts up to one month’s salary; amounts in excess of one month’s salary must be approved by the dean or vice president.

Employees who are terminated or resign within their first 12 months of employment may be required to reimburse the University up to the full amount of their moving allowance at department’s discretion.

The University complies with the Internal Revenue Code for proper taxation and reporting of household relocation expenses.  Moving allowance payments must be made as a lump sum payment through Payroll, subject to federal, state, and FICA tax withholdings, after the new employee is on payroll.  See Administrative Policy: Budget Development and Oversight for Current Non-Sponsored Funds for a listing of current fringe rates by employee class.  Once the employee is on payroll, the department enters the relocation lump sum (earnings code: MRL) in either PeopleSoft pay entry or additional pay (Internet ID/password login required.

Lump sum payments prior to an employee being on payroll should be rare and must be approved by the unit’s Chief Financial Manager.  Departments must set up the new employee as Temp/Casual and complete required I9 paperwork before making the lump sum payment.  In instances where the department cannot set up the individual as a new employee, the Chief Financial Managers must contact the Director of Purchasing Services to request an exception and discuss alternate payment method.

If funding to pay for the relocation is coming from sponsored research sources, Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA) may require additional approvals to ensure allowability of these costs to the sponsored project.

The Relocation Assistance Program, through the Office of Human Resources, can provide relocation assistance for new hired individuals.  

Newly hired individuals may choose to use a supplier to assist with the moving of their household goods, but must pay the supplier directly. The move itself is solely the responsibility of the new employee.  The contract for the move, along with any problems that may result from the move, is between the employee and the moving company.  The University’s only involvement is payment of the moving allowance to the employee.  The employee must handle any and all claims.

Certain expenses related to recruitment and relocation are not considered household moving expenses and would not need to be included in the moving allowance.  These are considered Business Expenses and must follow the Administrative Policy: Business Expenses.  For example, the initial trip of the candidate to interview for the position or expenses for moving a lab.