Will OPERS or ARP retirement contributions be deducted from my pay for the separation pay?
Yes, retirement contributions will continue to be made to the appropriate retirement system throughout the severance period.

Will OPERS or ARP retirement contributions be deducted from my pay for the separation pay?
Yes, retirement contributions will continue to be made to the appropriate retirement system throughout the severance period.

Who is eligible to receive separation pay?
Regular classified and administrative employees who are involuntarily terminated due to job abolishment are eligible.  Staff members who are terminated for performance or other appropriate reasons are not eligible for the Salary and Benefit Continuation Program.

How is my separation pay calculated?
Pay will be calculated based upon the individual's service to Ohio University and the final rate of pay.  Your regular pay rate upon separation will continue: 1 month beyond separation if you have more than 1 but not more than 3 years of service; 2 months beyond separation if you have more than 3 years but not more than 10 years of service; 3 months beyond separation if you have 10 or more years of service.

Are there payment options for separation pay?
No.  Payments will continue for the defined period of time.  Pay checks or remittances will be mailed to home addresses.

When will I receive the separation pay?  Vacation payout?
Separation pay will continue for a defined period of time on the same pay schedule to which you are accustomed.  Pay will begin in the pay period immediately following the final regular pay.  So, if you are an administrator and the final regular pay is June 30, the first separation pay will be July 31.  Vacation payouts should be made in the next regular pay following separation.

Will my supplemental retirement account (403B and/or 457) contributions continue on my separation pay? What about my Vacation payout?
No, contributions to 403B or 457 accounts can only be made on regular pay.  Separation pay is not considered regular pay. However, you may place your vacation payout into a supplemental retirement account.  This will help you to avoid possible tax penalties. Contact your supplemental retirement account provider http://www.ohio.edu/hr/benefits/retirement/sra_providers.cfm to discuss this process. If you do not have a supplemental retirement account, visit http://www.ohio.edu/hr/benefits/retirement/sra.cfm to learn more.

If I am scheduled to receive a longevity bonus during the benefits extension period, will I receive the bonus?
No. Classified employee longevity bonuses are awards for continuous service.  After separation, the service to the university ceases.

What options are there for making health insurance premium payments during the health benefits extension period?
Healthcare insurance premiums will be deducted from separation pay.  After separation pay has ended, individuals will be billed by the Bursar's Office.

Will life insurance coverage continue during the benefits extension?  Will the supplemental life insurance I have elected in the past also continue? 
The university life benefit of 2.5 times salary to a maximum of $50,000 will remain active for the length of the benefits extension period. If enrolled, supplemental life will also continue if the premium is paid.

• not to exceed three years at the undergraduate level or
• not to exceed one year at the graduate level. 

It is the separated employee's responsibility to provide the Educational Benefits Request Form (available at http://www.ohio.edu/hr/upload/Ed_Ben_Employee_10.pdf ) to University Human Resources on a quarterly basis in order to maintain this benefit.

Unemployment Compensation

I am a classified employee whose position is being abolished and I have displacement rights.  If I choose NOT to exercise those rights and elect to go on layoff status, does that affect eligibility for unemployment compensation?
No, that will not impact eligibility.

I am a classified employee on layoff status and get recalled to a lower classification within my classification series.  If I decline the lower classification, but remain on a recall list for my (higher) classification, will that affect unemployment compensation benefits?
Yes, it could.  Those situations will be reviewed by unemployment on a case-by-case basis with a review of job suitability to the position being recalled to.

Is there an appeal procedure if I disagree with the layoff?
Yes.  Classified staff, as well as Administrative staff, have grievance procedures published in the University Policy and Procedure Manual, policies 41.011, "Grievance Procedure for Contract Employees" and 40.043, "Problem Solving Procedure for Classified Employees."

Can administrative employees whose positions have been eliminated apply for other open positions?
Yes.  Internal postings will be placed at https://www.ohiouniversityjobs.com and laid off administrators are encouraged to apply for positions in which they are, or may be, qualified, and may apply internally (universitywide posting) for one year beyond separation.  Additionally, open positions will be reviewed with administrators who use Human Resources' outplacement services.

Could people who are laid off be called back?
Classified employees will have recall rights to their classification and/or classification series for one year. 

Will affected employees be given preference in any way for jobs?
Some jobs will be posted internally only to university employees.  In these cases, displaced employees won't be competing with outside applicants.

What happens to my pension plan if I am laid off?
Your Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) retirement or Alternative Retirement Plan (ARP) account remains intact, but you will not accrue further service time or contributions.

What happens if I have scheduled vacation before my term date?
Notify your supervisor of planned vacation and work together to complete your assignments.

Can I rescind scheduled vacation and be paid instead?
Your supervisor, at his/her discretion, may consider your request.

Will I be eligible to receive unemployment compensation?
Yes, if you meet the eligibility requirements. For more information, visit http://www.ohio.edu/hr/outplacement/unemployment.cfm

Will I qualify for health insurance coverage under COBRA after my medical benefits expire?
Yes, if you are not re-employed with health benefits.

What are professional outplacement services?
Services to provide affected employees with the tools and skills to assist them with job searching.

If I am enrolled in a degree program, what happens to my educational benefits?  What about my enrolled dependents?
Employees or covered family members who are enrolled at the time of the reduction in force notice will continue to receive tuition assistance for the needed years to graduate

• not to exceed three years at the undergraduate level or
• not to exceed one year at the graduate level.

The benefit will be at the same level received at termination.

Are there any special benefits for employees who are let go for budgetary reasons?
Yes.

• Salary continuation based upon years of service at Ohio University.
• Medical, dental, and vision will continue for 6 months beyond termination
• Medical survivor benefits
• Life insurance will continue for 6 months beyond termination
• WellWorks membership for one year
• Professional outplacement services
• Educational benefits for employee and/or dependents, if currently enrolled
• Unemployment compensation

Services

Classified personnel records are housed at University Human Resources and may be accessed by contacting the Records department at 593-2096.

Administrator personnel records are housed within the respective department or planning unit and may be accessed by contacting your supervisor.

Who can I contact regarding:

• Benefits questions
• Outplacement Assistance
• Separation pay and vacation payouts
• State service credit transfers
• Retirement

For any questions you have related to the layoff, you may contact one central Human Resources number at 593-1636.