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.

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.

The University of Rochester provides two types of Leaves of Absence for employees. University Leave of Absence May provide employees with up to 12 months’ unpaid leave for reasons such as education, dependent or elder care, or community service.

The intent of the PTO plan is to recognize an eligible employee's need to have time away from work for reasons such as illness or injury, doctor or dental appointments and to attend to personal business, and to provide the staff member with flexibility and tangible reward for time unused at the end of each Plan Year.