Termination (CA)
Termination is an involuntary separation from employment with the University.
The employment of a staff member should not be terminated involuntarily for any reason without prior review by Human Resources.
Staff members whose employment terminates during their Introductory Period will receive payment for accrued Paid Time Off. In California, staff members begin accruing Paid Time Off upon hire, although they are not allowed to use Paid Time Off during the Introductory Period.
There is no payment for unused sick leave.
It is the responsibility of the home department to enter into Workday the termination of a staff member (along with entering the proper reason for termination), as soon as possible. Contact Wharton Human Resources & People Operations (whartonhr@wharton.upenn.edu) with questions concerning which termination reason should be entered.
Any costs for benefits premiums that arise from incorrect and/or late entry of a staff member’s termination into Workday are the responsibility of the home department and may be charged to the department.
It is also the responsibility of the home department to collect the terminating staff member’s University identification card, keys, library books and any other University property, as well as take reasonable steps to inventory and remove (or request removal of) the terminated staff member’s access privileges to University, departmental, School, and other information systems containing personal or proprietary data.
629.1 BENEFITS 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, dental, and vision 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 (1) or more of these plans when a qualifying event occurs. Eligible dependents are spouses and dependent children (until the end of the month in which dependent children turn age 26).
Qualifying events include voluntary or involuntary termination, other than for reasons of serious 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.
Note that all life insurance (basic, dependent, supplemental) end on the last day of active work. These coverages can be converted to individual policies within 31 days of the staff member’s last day of active work. To convert, staff members must contact Human Resources (866-799-2329).