Layoff Severance Program for Civil Service and Union-Represented Staff Employees

The Layoff Severance Program is an elective benefit program provided to civil service and union-represented staff employees who have received a written layoff notice. Employees are eligible if they received notice while holding a continuous nine-month or longer term appointment of not less than 75 percent time when the notice is given.

Employees must actively work their scheduled appointment hours through the last day of employment to be eligible for this program.

Exclusions

Excluded from the policy are employees:

• not actively at work on the last day of employment;
• working in a temporary appointment, unless the employee was transferred from a continuing appointment to a temporary one within the same seniority unit and without a break in service;
• working in an hourly appointment;
• opting to participate in another University exit program, voluntary or involuntary, to which the University contributes or has contributed monies;
• who are federal employees with the federal health benefits program,
• terminated for cause.

Program Benefits

Benefits of this program are based on continuous years of service with the University, credited for each anniversary from the employee's most recent hire date through the last day of employment. This number is adjusted for unpaid leaves of absence. If the employee worked less than 75 percent time in any year, that year will not be credited and will not be considered a break in service.

Under the program, a lump-sum payment is made to the employee equal to one week of pay per full year of continuous University service. Payment covers a maximum of 52 weeks of pay. This payment is subject to payroll taxes.

Medical and/or dental coverage may be continued for up to eighteen months following termination of employment, but not after the last day of the month in which the employee, spouse, or dependents becomes covered under another group medical plan. The University will contribute toward the cost of the employee's medical and/or dental coverage for the following periods:

The University's contribution for this coverage will be the same as if the employee had remained employed. If the above subsidy is for less than 18 months, coverage may be continued at the employee's own expense for the balance of up to 18 months; Employee Benefits will bill the employee directly for the unsubsidized months.

Dependent coverage may be added at the expense of the employee while covered by this program either during open enrollment time or if there is a change in the employee's family status. If medical and/or other coverages are canceled or dropped for any reason during the time that the University is subsidizing the coverages, including, but not limited to, cases where employees do not make payments towards their required contributions for coverages, then the University will not be responsible for any further compensation to or on behalf of the employee in connection with these coverages.

The University reserves the right to alter the terms of or eliminate this program.

Program Participation

In order to obtain the Layoff Severance Program, laid off eligible employees must apply for this program and leave University employment by the last day of their employment.

In exchange for participating in this program, the employee waives layoff rights, reinstatement rights if rehired, and all other claims against the University. As part of this program, the employee agrees to not reapply for or be rehired for University employment for a period equal to the number of weeks of severance paid, beginning on the first day of non-employment.

Individuals submitting incorrect, false or fraudulent information will be subjected to disciplinary action including revocation of the program and termination of employment, if still employed.