This communication is to provide an immediate update on information that may impact supervisors, managers, staff employees and you.
UCPath – Timing of Final Pay
On June 23, 2021, UCOP legal sent a communication to the Executive Director of UCPath requesting a change in the practice of distribution of final pay for non-represented employees who voluntarily separate from the University. The current timing of final pay for non-represented employees who voluntary separate is the next regular pay cycle following the separation. While UC is generally not subject to similar wage and hour Labor Codes, UC Legal has recommended a modification to the current practice. The modification would create a practice/process whereby non-represented employees who voluntarily separate from the University will receive their final pay within 72-hours from the day of separation.
An effective date has not been established. More information regarding the change will be forthcoming.
Pay for Family Care and Bonding (PFCB) – Effective July 1, 2021
Who’s eligible: Non-represented employees on an approved block Family Medical Leave (FML) leave for one workweek or more for one of the qualifying reasons above. The same is true for represented employees in bargaining units that are participating in the program. (Most represented units are participating, however refer to the unit’s collective bargaining agreement.)
Who pays: University of California (UC); 70% earnings for employees who meet the PCFB requirements.
Please note: To be eligible for PFCB, employees must first be eligible for a qualifying Family and Medical Leave under FMLA and/or CFRA. This requires that employees have been employed by UC for at least a total of 12 months and that employees have actually worked at least 1,250 hours during the 12 months immediately before the start of the leave.
For more information on the eligibility for Family and Medical Leave read:
- UC’s Absence from Work Policy, Personnel Policies for Staff Members (for PPSM-covered employees)
- Leaves of Absence/Family and Medical Leave, Academic Personnel Manual (for non-represented academic employees)
- The article regarding leaves of absence in the applicable collective bargaining agreement (for represented employees)
UC’s Adoption Assistance Program – Effective July 1, 2021
UC’s Adoption Assistance Plan reimburses those who are eligible (faculty and staff with Full, Mid-Level or Core benefits) for up to $5,000 of expenses related to adoption. There’s no need to enroll, and all expenses for the plan are paid by the University.
The reimbursement benefit is available for up to two adoptions, with a maximum of $10,000 in benefits in the employee’s lifetime. If both adoptive parents work for UC, the maximum combined reimbursement benefit for the adoption of one child is $5,000 or $10,000 for the adoption of two children.
Qualified expenses: The following expenses qualify for reimbursement if they are directly related to and for the principal purpose of adoption:
- Attorney fees and court costs
- Licensed adoption agency and placement fees
- Immigration, translation and document authentication fees
- Re-adoption expenses for a foreign child
- Travel expenses, including meals and lodging while away from home
- Parent, child and family adoption counseling fees
- Home suitability study fees
How to submit claims for reimbursement: Once an adoption is legally finalized, employees will need to:
- Complete the UC Adoption Verification Form and submit it to WEX Health. WEX will verify your adoption meets the eligibility requirements of the Plan and send you a confirmation.
- Follow the instructions in WEX’s confirmation email to set up an online account in their system.
- Complete the UC Adoption Claim Form and submit it to WEX using the instructions provided on the form.
For more information on the Adoption Assistance Plan see Frequently Asked Questions about the Adoption Assistance Plan, the Adoption Assistance Plan Policy or contact WEX Health at (844) 561-1338.
If you have questions related to this communication, please e-mail your question(s) to: hrpolicy@ucr.edu.