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UC Riverside

Human Resources

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Involuntary Staff Offboarding Roadmap

Involuntary staff reductions also know as reductions in force (RIF). The reasons for involuntary staff reductions include:

  • Lack of funds: Budgetary constraints can necessitate reductions in staffing.
  • Lack of work: A decrease in workload or a change in program needs can lead to involuntary reductions.
  • Reorganization: Restructuring within a department or the university system can result in positions being eliminated or reduced.
  • For cause: Career employees may be terminated at the conclusion of the progressive discipline process for failure to improve attendance, conduct and/or performance as well as job abandonment.
 

Reduction in Staff

A Reduction in Staff at UC occurs when the University decreases the number of employees at their campuses and can be a result of reorganization, budgetary concerns and/or lack of work. The UC system has specific policies and procedures for handling such situations, including guidelines for notifying affected employees and ensuring fairness in the process.

The follow information is provided to help you understand what resources and benefits are available to you during the layoff period.
  • Will I be paid for my vacation and sick leave

    Vacation will be paid out on the last day of work. Sick leave is reinstated upon reemployment, if you are on preferential rehire status.

  • Am I eligible for unemployment

    Separated employees may be eligible to receive unemployment insurance benefits. To determine their eligibility, they must file a claim at a local office of the State of California Employment Development Department (EDD). They may also file a claim by calling EDD at (800) 300-5616 or by visiting their website at https://edd.ca.gov/. Additionally, a Human Resources representative is available to assist at (951) 827-3641, or at employee.relations@ucr.edu, to provide the employee with information regarding considerations in determining eligibility.

  • Can I continue UC Health Insurance with COBRA

    Employees and/or their eligible family members may be eligible to continue UC-sponsored coverage under COBRA (the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985). You have 60 days from the date you lose coverage by reason of a qualifying event (employment termination) or from the date you receive notice of your continuation rights, whichever is later, to apply for COBRA continuation.

    COBRA continuation coverage is identical to the UC-sponsored health coverage you and/or your family members had immediately prior to qualifying for COBRA coverage except you pay the full cost; there is no UC contribution.

    Covered California is also an option you may want to consider for medical insurance. Covered California is an easy-to-use marketplace where most Californians can get health coverage that cannot be denied by health insurance companies or canceled if they are sick or have a pre-existing health condition. Separating from UC will provide you with a “qualifying event” to enroll through Covered California.

  • What service does Central Human Resources offer for employees facing layoff

    Human Resources offers the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP): Confidential cost-free counseling for faculty, staff, and their immediate family members. Mental health assessment, consultation, and referral services are also offered.

 

For Cause

Termination for cause at the University of California (UC) is the dismissal of an employee for a variety of circumstances due to performance and/or behavioral issues including significant violations of UC policies or laws. The UC system has specific policies and procedures for handling such situations, including guidelines for notifying affected employees and ensuring fairness in the process.

The following information is provided to help you understand your rights and resources during the termination period.
  • Termination of benefits

    An employee who has been terminated for cause will have their benefits end on their last day of employment.

  • Can I continue UC Health insurance with COBRA

    Employees and/or their eligible family members may be eligible to continue UC-sponsored coverage under COBRA (the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985). You have 60 days from the date you lose coverage by reason of a qualifying event (employment termination) or from the date you receive notice of your continuation rights, whichever is later, to apply for COBRA continuation.

    COBRA continuation coverage is identical to the UC-sponsored health coverage you and/or your family members had immediately prior to qualifying for COBRA coverage except you pay the full cost; there is no UC contribution.

    Covered California is also an option you may want to consider for medical insurance. Covered California is an easy-to-use marketplace where most Californians can get health coverage that cannot be denied by health insurance companies or canceled if they are sick or have a pre-existing health condition. Separating from UC will provide you with a “qualifying event” to enroll through Covered California.

  • Am I eligible for unemployment insurance

    Separated employees may be eligible to receive unemployment insurance benefits. To determine their eligibility, they must file a claim at a local office of the State of California Employment Development Department (EDD). They may also file a claim by calling EDD at (800) 300-5616 or by visiting their website at https://edd.ca.gov/. Additionally, a Human Resources representative is available to assist at (951) 827-3641, or at employee.relations@ucr.edu, to provide the employee with information regarding considerations in determining eligibility.

 
Steps to Take

During your layoff period, the following steps should be taken to ensure your smooth transition.
  • Review and update personal information in UCPath
    Review and Update Home Address

    Separating employees should review and update their home and mailing addresses. In situations when an employee is not on direct deposit, the final paycheck will be issued as a paper check and will be mailed to the home address in UCPath. Additionally, other important information such as UC Retirement Plan (UCRP) will be sent to the address in UCPath.

    Note, paper paychecks are always mailed to the home address on file in UCPath, even if a mailing address is provided.

    Review Secondary Email Address

    Separating employees are advised to list a secondary email address on file (non-UCR or non-UC email address). UCPath will use that email address to send information to access the UCPath Former Employee Portal, where a separating employee will be able to access their earning statements, W-2 forms, and other important documentation. 

    Employees should review and update their personal information in UCPath prior to termination by: 

  • Review and update direct deposit
    Getting to the Direct Deposit Page

    Access the UCPath Online website at https://ucpath.universityofcalifornia.edu/.

    You will be asked to login with your UCR netID. Multifactor authentication is required to access the UCPath Center website. After you're logged in, navigate to the Direct Deposit Page:

    • From the Dashboard: 
      • Income and Taxes > Direct Deposit
    • From the Menu: 
      • Employee Actions > Income and Taxes > Direct Deposit

    Before you change your direct deposit information, you must validate your identity. UCPath randomly displays one of the security questions set up on your profile. If you cannot answer it, you will be asked to validate your identity by other means.

  • Review and update W2

    For active employees, if you signed up for an online W-2, you can view via Income & Taxes > View Online W-2/W-2C and click "View a Different Tax Year" in upper right.

    For terminated employees, you will access via the former employee portal. If you need assistance with access, please reach out to UCPath Center at (855) 982-7284.

    For 2017 and prior, if you signed up for an online W-2, you’ll be able to view or print it from AYSO. If you have trouble accessing AYSO, please reach out to ucpathhelp@ucr.edu.

  • Verification of employment

    Former employees who need to provide employment verification can call the UCPath center at (855) 982-7284 (Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., PST) to speak with an associate. Former employees hired prior to October 2018 may be able to obtain employment verification from At Your Service Online (AYSO). 

  • Access to email after separation

    Employees who separate from employment with UCR may not have access to their UC email upon departure: 

    1. Email terminates immediately for student employees who have not graduated. 
    2. Staff employees will have up to 30-days access to their email. 
    3. Faculty (Non-Senate) will have 90-days to access their email. 
    4. Senate Faculty will have 180 days to access their email. 
    5. Staff Retirees can access their email indefinitely as long as they pay the annual Retiree Association. Explore the UCR Retirement Center website.
    6. Emeritus keeps access to their email indefinitely. 
    7. Students that graduate get to keep their email indefinitely. 
 
Steps to Take

Once you have been terminated, there are additional important steps for you to take to efficiently close the time you spent in UC employment.
  • Review and update personal information in UCPath
    Review and Update Home Address

    Separating employees should review and update their home and mailing addresses. In situations when an employee is not on direct deposit, the final paycheck will be issued as a paper check and will be mailed to the home address in UCPath. Additionally, other important information such as UC Retirement Plan (UCRP) will be sent to the address in UCPath.

    Note, paper paychecks are always mailed to the home address on file in UCPath, even if a mailing address is provided.

    Review Secondary Email Address

    Separating employees are advised to list a secondary email address on file (non-UCR or non-UC email address). UCPath will use that email address to send information to access the UCPath Former Employee Portal, where a separating employee will be able to access their earning statements, W-2 forms, and other important documentation. 

    Employees should review and update their personal information in UCPath prior to termination by: 

  • Review and update direct deposit
    Getting to the Direct Deposit Page

    Access the UCPath Online website at https://ucpath.universityofcalifornia.edu/.

    You will be asked to login with your UCR netID. Multifactor authentication is required to access the UCPath Center website. After you're logged in, navigate to the Direct Deposit Page:

    • From the Dashboard: 
      • Income and Taxes > Direct Deposit
    • From the Menu: 
      • Employee Actions > Income and Taxes > Direct Deposit

    Before you change your direct deposit information, you must validate your identity. UCPath randomly displays one of the security questions set up on your profile. If you cannot answer it, you will be asked to validate your identity by other means.

  • Review and update W2

    For active employees, if you signed up for an online W-2, you can view via Income & Taxes > View Online W-2/W-2C and click "View a Different Tax Year" in upper right.

    For terminated employees, you will access via the former employee portal. If you need assistance with access, please reach out to UCPath Center at (855) 982-7284.

    For 2017 and prior, if you signed up for an online W-2, you’ll be able to view or print it from AYSO. If you have trouble accessing AYSO, please reach out to ucpathhelp@ucr.edu.

  • Verification of employment

    Former employees who need to provide employment verification can call the UCPath center at (855) 982-7284 (Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., PST) to speak with an associate. Former employees hired prior to October 2018 may be able to obtain employment verification from At Your Service Online (AYSO). 

  • Access to email after separation

    Employees who separate from employment with UCR may not have access to their UC email upon departure: 

    1. Email terminates immediately for student employees who have not graduated. 
    2. Staff employees will have up to 30-days access to their email. 
    3. Faculty (Non-Senate) will have 90-days to access their email. 
    4. Senate Faculty will have 180 days to access their email. 
    5. Staff Retirees can access their email indefinitely as long as they pay the annual Retiree Association. Explore the UCR Retirement Center website.
    6. Emeritus keeps access to their email indefinitely. 
    7. Students that graduate get to keep their email indefinitely.