Employee Layoff Resources
What does it mean to be laid off?
A layoff is an involuntary separation between an employer and an employee that occurs through no fault of the employee. The employer is terminating the employment of the worker because it is eliminating the position and not because of any performance issues.
It is important to note that layoffs do not occur because of performance issues on the part of the employee.
- What To Do Next
Update Your Resume
- Live Career: Here you’ll find a free resume building tool. You can select from a number of design templates, and the tool walks you through entering the information you want to include in your resume.
- Word Templates: Microsoft offers free resume templates for Word.
Identify Job Resources
- NorthernColoradoHelpWanted.com: To find jobs located in Northern Colorado.
- State of Colorado Job Opportunities: To find jobs located in the state.
- Jobing: To find jobs located in Colorado and nationwide.
- ConnectingColorado: Colorado workforce center.
- Monster: Perhaps the best known online resource for jobs.
- Indeed: This is the Google search engine for jobs. Easy to use, and a great tool to help you find your next job.
Sign up for Benefits
- COBRA
- Medicare / Medicaid
- Connect for Health Colorado
- Check with Spouse’s employer
Financial Resources
- Unemployment: If you have been laid off or terminated through no fault of your own,
you can usually collect unemployment until you find work again or for up to 26 weeks,
whichever comes first.
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdle/unemployment
- FAQs
Am I eligible for re-hire?
Yes, if a position becomes available that you are interested in applying for, you are encouraged to submit an application. HR will also keep a list of any employees whose position will be eliminated. If a position becomes available, HR will notify all qualified candidates on the list of the opening.
Will I receive payouts for my vacation and sick leave balances?
Yes, you will receive pay for vacation time.
Can my supervisor give me a reference?
Yes, your supervisor can give you a personal reference, but cannot speak on behalf of the university. All employment verification must go through the HR department. Information disclosed will be date of hire, last day worked, and title.
What happens to the tuition waiver if I/my dependents are currently taking courses?
Employees and dependents currently enrolled will continue to receive the benefit as long as they remain continuously enrolled.
- Employee Assistance Program
Definition of EAP
According to the Employee Assistance Professional Association (EAPA): An EAP is a worksite-based program designed to assist in the identification and resolution of productivity problems associated with employees impaired by personal concerns, including, but not limited to: health, marital, family, financial, alcohol, drug, legal, emotional, stress, or other personal concerns that may adversely affect employee job performance.
A resource for UNC employees and supervisors.
Available to all UNC faculty, staff and their household members. Confidential counseling or an assessment and referral to the appropriate community resource, if necessary. Your voluntary attendance does not become part of your personnel file or your medical file. No other department or agency will know that you have used this cost-free service. Participation in the EAP will not jeopardize your job. In fact, any assistance you receive in correcting a job performance problem may be looked upon as favorable. Participation will not be used against you in any way.
Supervisors may consult the EAP when questions arise about handling a personally troubled employee, or an employee whose productivity has dropped below an acceptable level, for any reason. Supervisors may refer an employee for an EAP assessment and counseling either informally out of concern, or formally as part of a corrective action.
What are the benefits of using the EAP?
The University of Northern Colorado Employee Assistance Program can help you and your family resolve the issues that may be affecting your personal life and/or work performance. You are a valuable resource to the university and your work group. Your good physical and mental health are vital to work performance. When personal issues affect your work performance, or when work issues are affecting your personal life, this valuable resource is a phone call away.
When you contact the UNC EAP, a certified Employee Assistance professional will ask you for general information and will set a confidential appointment with you as soon as possible. Information you provide will remain confidential.Call if you are experiencing:
- Conflict with a supervisor or coworker
- Conflict within yourself
- Out-of-control anger
- Difficulties managing stress
- Feeling overwhelmed by change
- And alcohol or drug problem within yourself, a significant other, or a coworker
- An inability to sleep
- Loss of a loved one
- “New faculty blues”
- Lack of support by family, friends or coworkers
- Anything that is affecting your work performance or willingness to go to work
Employee Counseling is:
- Confidential
- Personal
- No-cost
- Convenient
- Solution-focused
- Educational
- Empowering
- Informal
- Constructive Respectful
- Relieves Stress
- Supportive
- Discreet
CSEAP
C-SEAP is a comprehensive benefit set up to support employees, supervisors, managers and agencies though a variety of support services focused on maintaining both a healthy and productive workforce.
- 2020 COBRA Rates
2020 Cobra rates
COBRA requires continuation coverage to be offered to covered employees, their spouses, their former spouses, and their dependent children when group health coverage would otherwise be lost due to certain specific events. Those events include the death of a covered employee, termination, or reduction in the hours of a covered employee's employment for reasons other than gross misconduct, divorce or legal separation from a covered employee, a covered employee becoming eligible for Medicare, and a child's loss of dependent status (and therefore coverage) under the plan.
- Professional Administrative Staff Benefits
Health/Dental/Vision Insurance
Insurance is prepaid, so a termination date of June 30 will provide insurance through July 31. Employees under age 65 can elect to enroll in COBRA to continue current insurance coverage for up to 18 months. Employees who are aged 65 or older and Medicare-eligible are only eligible for dental and vision insurance coverage through COBRA. Family members with insurance under age 65 will be eligible for COBRA for up to 18 months.
Employees age 65+ and eligible for Medicare can enroll in Medicare upon losing employer-sponsored coverage.
24HourFlex
Money must be spent by the termination date or it will be forfeited; employees can claim reimbursement for those expenses for 45 days past termination date.
life insurance
- Employees are eligible to convert the group term life insurance policy through Anthem Life. A Request for Group Life Conversion Information form must be completed and mailed to Anthem Life within 31 days of termination. Anthem Life will mail you premium information and an application form.
- Employees of retirement age can apply for retiree coverage and can choose coverage amounts of $10,000, $20,000, $30,000, $40,000, or $50,000 at a rate of $23.30/month per $10,000 of coverage. Applications must be completed and returned to Anthem Life along with the first premium within 31 days of retirement. Coverage will reduce to $10,000 after attainment of age 70. Employees 70+ can apply for $10,000 of coverage.
- Employees with voluntary group life insurance with Anthem Life can continue coverage by completing a Portability Benefit Application and returning it to Anthem Life along with the first premium within 31 days of retirement. Coverage ends at age 70.
Retirement Plans
A contact sheet for our retirement plan representatives is attached. Employees may choose to leave their funds where they are or move them after final paychecks are issued. Contact your plan representative with questions. Retirement plan funds that are withdrawn will be assessed a 10% early withdrawal penalty by the IRS when taxes are filed next year unless you are at least 59 ½ years of age. Federal taxes will also apply.
- Classified Staff Benefits
Open enrollment 2020
Open enrollment for health insurance is required for all Classified Staff this year. Therefore, if you do not enroll in health insurance between April 14th - May 18th, you will not be eligible for insurance continuation after June 30, 2020.
HEALTH/DENTAL/VISION INSURANCE
Insurance coverage ends on the last day of the month in which you work your final day, so a termination date of June 15 will provide insurance through June 30. Employees under age 65 can elect to enroll in COBRA to continue current insurance coverage for up to 18 months. Employees who are aged 65 or older and Medicare‐eligible are only eligible for dental insurance coverage through COBRA. Family members with insurance under age 65 will be eligible for
COBRA for up to 18 months.Employees age 65+ and eligible for Medicare can enroll in Medicare upon losing employer-sponsored coverage. Go to www.medicare.gov to see plan options.
flexible spending accounts (ASI Flex)
Money must be spent by the termination date or it will be forfeited; employees can claim reimbursement for those expenses for 45 days past termination date.
Life Insurance
Employees are eligible to convert the group term life insurance policy through Minnesota Life. A Request for Group Life Conversion Information form must be completed and mailed to
Minnesota Life within 31 days of termination. Minnesota Life will mail you premium information and an application form.Employees with voluntary group life insurance with Minnesota Life can continue coverage by completing a Portability Benefit application and returning it to Minnesota Life along with the
first premium within 31 days of termination.retirement plans
A PERA Refund/Rollover Request booklet is included in this packet. Employees may choose to leave their funds where they are or move them after final paychecks are issued. Contact PERA with questions. Retirement plan funds that are withdrawn will be assessed a 10% early withdrawal penalty by the IRS when taxes are filed next year unless you are at least 59 ½ years of age. Federal taxes will also apply.
Questions?
Email us at Human.Resources@unco.edu
