Explore Policies & Procedures

This policy establishes guidelines for the voluntary and involuntary termination of university staff.

Guidelines and procedures regarding the death of a faculty or staff member, to be followed with tact and sensitivity and modified when individual circumstances warrant.

The University will ensure that minority group individuals, females, protected veterans, and qualified disabled persons have equal opportunity and access to the University’s workforce and equal opportunity as employees with respect to all aspects of employment.

Faculty and staff members who leave the University in a benefit eligible (full-time or part-time) status, and are subsequently rehired to a benefit eligible (full or part-time) status at the University within five years of their termination date, will have previous benefit eligible University service reinstated at time of rehire and their service date adjusted accordingly.

A layoff is defined as an action involving the reduction of staff necessitated by lack of work or other reasons. As described more fully below, employees will be selected for layoff on the basis of a criteria-based evaluation of ability, performance and seniority, with the greatest emphasis being placed ability, then performance, and then seniority. Recalls to work will generally be in the reverse order of layoffs. Note: Department administrators must contact Human Resources (HR) for assistance with planning the restructuring of their organizations and planning and implementing layoffs.

The Short-Term Disability pays all or part of basic salary for an eligible individual who is absent from work for a period exceeding 7 calendar days due to an illness or disability that is not related to the job and which prevents the individual from performing University duties and responsibilities.

The policy complies with the provisions of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA), in regard to benefits and re-employment rights for, and non-discrimination against employees called to, active military duty, as defined above.

Outlines the University's accordance with the New York State Paid Family Leave Act, which was effective January 1, 2018, allowing all eligible employees to receive partial wage replacement when requesting Paid Family Leave (PFL).

Effective management of vacation time, by both the department and by the staff member, should increase efficiency on the job, encourage continued employment, and reward University service.

Actions at the University of Rochester are governed by the guidelines set forth in this policy as well as others. All members of the University community are expected to act professionally and treat others with respect when representing the University, whether that be internally when working with colleagues or externally with our community while engaged in a University-related activity.