Payroll Department

Payroll Requirements for Separating Employees

Title: Payroll Requirements for Separating Employees
Policy Owner: Payroll Department
Applies to: Hiring Departments and Employees
Campus Applicability: UConn Storrs and Regional Campuses
Effective Date: August 19, 2014
For More Information, Contact Payroll Department
Contact Information: (860) 486-2423
Official Website: http://www.payroll.uconn.edu/

 

REASON FOR POLICY

The purpose of this policy is to ensure the timely and reasonable submission of required documentation to produce accurate final payments to separating employees.  This is critical to meeting payroll processing deadlines; complying with federal and state regulations and reporting requirements; avoiding overpayments; and minimizing additional, unscheduled work for Payroll and hiring departments.

APPLIES TO

This policy applies to all hiring departments and employees at the University of Connecticut, Storrs and Regional Campuses.

DEFINITION

A ‘Separating Employee’ is defined as an individual who is leaving employment with the University of Connecticut and requires a final paycheck.  Common reasons for separation include, but are not limited to, resignation; retirement; non-continuation of an end-dated appointment; and transfer to another state agency.

POLICY STATEMENT

The University is required to produce payments to employees in accordance with the General Statues of Connecticut, Chapter 34, Sec. 3-119, guidelines set by the Connecticut Department of Labor, and Collective Bargaining Agreements.  In addition, the University is required to adhere to the Core-CT payroll processing schedule set forth by the Office of the State Comptroller.

The Payroll Department has established deadline schedules by which required documentation for separating employees must be received to ensure timely and accurate payments.  The deadline schedules are posted on the homepage of the Payroll Department website at www.payroll.uconn.edu. Departments or units have an obligation to submit complete and on-time documentation for the separated employee.  All obligations of the employee, such as travel advances that are unaccounted for, will be withheld from the final paycheck, provided prior authorization was obtained in writing from the employee.

If late notification or an extenuating circumstance prevents an employing department from meeting a posted deadline, it is critical that the department contact Payroll immediately.  Failure to do so may result in an overpayment to a separating employee, as well as an over-expenditure of funds from a department’s budget(s).

ENFORCEMENT

Violations of this policy may result in appropriate disciplinary measures in accordance with University Laws and By-Laws, General Rules of Conduct for All University Employees, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and the University of Connecticut Student Conduct Code.

PROCEDURES/FORMS

Documentation requirements (electronic and/or paper) for separating employees can also be found on the Payroll Department website at www.payroll.uconn.edu.

Payroll Requirements for Active Employee Changes

Title: Payroll Requirements for Active Employee Changes
Policy Owner: Payroll Department
Applies to: Hiring Departments and Employees
Campus Applicability: UConn Storrs and Regionals
Effective Date: August 19, 2014
For More Information, Contact Payroll Department
Contact Information: (860) 486-2423
Official Website: http://www.payroll.uconn.edu/

REASON FOR POLICY

The purpose of this policy is to ensure the timely and reasonable submission of required documentation to produce on-time, accurate payments to active University employees who have a change in the terms of their employment.  This is critical to meeting payroll processing deadlines; complying with federal and state regulations and reporting requirements; maintaining employee satisfaction; and minimizing additional, unscheduled work for Payroll and hiring departments.

APPLIES TO

This policy applies to all hiring departments and employees at the University of Connecticut, Storrs and Regional Campuses.

DEFINITION

“Active employee changes” include, but are not limited to, the following types of transactions that may occur over the lifecycle of an individual’s employment:

  • Continuations/End Date Changes;
  • Employment Changes (including changes to Title, Salary, Appointment, Department, Percentage of Employment, etc);
  • Funding Changes;
  • Reclassifications

POLICY STATEMENT

The University is required to produce payments to employees in accordance with the General Statues of Connecticut, Chapter 34, Sec. 3-119, guidelines set by the Connecticut Department of Labor, and Collective Bargaining Agreements.  In addition, the University is required to adhere to the Core-CT payroll processing schedule set forth by the Office of the State Comptroller.

The Payroll Department has established deadline schedules by which required documentation must be received to ensure timely and accurate payments, and compliance with applicable laws.  The deadline schedules are posted on the homepage of the Payroll Department website at www.payroll.uconn.edu. Departments or units responsible for hiring have an obligation to obtain and complete required documentation within the deadlines prescribed at the above website.

Required documentation received in the Payroll Department after the posted deadline for the transaction effective date may not be processed within the current payroll cycle.  The decision will be based on the circumstances resulting in the late submission, as well as the internal biweekly payroll processing schedule.  Any exceptions to this policy will be strictly limited, and at the discretion of the Payroll Department.

ENFORCEMENT

Violations of this policy may result in appropriate disciplinary measures in accordance with University Laws and By-Laws, General Rules of Conduct for All University Employees, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and the University of Connecticut Student Conduct Code.

PROCEDURES/FORMS

Documentation requirements (electronic and/or paper) for changes to the status of active employees can also be found on the Payroll Department website at the following links:

 

Payroll Employee Population
Unclassified Faculty; Postdocs; Management and Confidential; and Professional Staff
Classified Clerical; Maintenance; and Fire and Police Staff
Special Adjunct Faculty; Summer Research/Teaching; Rehired Retirees; and other Seasonal Professional Appointments
Graduate Assistant Graduate Teaching Assistants; Graduate Research Assistants; and Prestigious Internships
Student Student Labor and Student Work Study

Timecard Submission Requirements and Deadlines

Title: Timecard Submission Requirements and Deadlines
Policy Owner: Payroll Department
Applies to: All Employees
Campus Applicability:  UConn Storrs and Regional Campuses
Effective Date: August 19, 2014
For More Information, Contact Payroll Department
Contact Information: (860) 486-2423
Official Website: http://www.payroll.uconn.edu/

 

REASON FOR POLICY

The purpose of this policy is to ensure the timely and accurate completion and approval of time and attendance records.

APPLIES TO

This policy applies to all employees at the University of Connecticut, Storrs and Regional Campuses required to complete biweekly time and attendance records.  This includes all members of the classified bargaining units; all members of the University of Connecticut Professional Employee’s Association (UCPEA); all Management and Confidential staff; student employees; and certain special payroll appointees.

This policy also applies to University employees who have been granted signatory authority to approve time and attendance records.

DEFINITION

A time and attendance record is a true and accurate statement of time worked and time taken.  These records must be completed in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act, collective bargaining agreements, State regulations and University policies.  By submitting and/or approving a time and attendance record, employees and their supervisors are attesting to the accuracy of the time reported.  An approved time and attendance record also authorizes the expenditure of funds in accordance with time reported.

POLICY STATEMENT

Employees are required to submit biweekly time and attendance records for the purposes of calculating payments, and managing accruals and other entitlements.  In the event that an employee is unable to complete his/her time and attendance record (or is not included in the self-service population) it is the supervisor’s responsibility to complete it on their employee’s behalf.

All time and attendance records must be submitted and approved by the deadlines posted on the Payroll website.  Changes to the biweekly submission and approval deadline due to holidays, severe weather events and unforeseen circumstances will be communicated to the University community in as timely a manner as possible.

Corrections to previously reported time must be submitted as soon as the discovery is made.

Access to the time and attendance systems is administered by the Payroll Department, subject to the established guidelines on the Payroll website and consistent with the security policy administered by University Information Technology Services.  Under no circumstances should a login ID and password be shared.

ENFORCEMENT

Violations of this policy may result in appropriate disciplinary measures in accordance with University Laws and By-Laws, General Rules of Conduct for All University Employees, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and the University of Connecticut Student Conduct Code.

PROCEDURES/FORMS

Time and attendance procedures for employees and supervisors are posted on the Payroll Department website at www.payroll.uconn.edu.

 

Payroll Requirements for New Employees

Title: Payroll Requirements for New Employees
Policy Owner: Payroll Department
Applies to: Hiring Departments and Employees
Campus Applicability: UConn Storrs and Regionals
Effective Date: August 19, 2014
For More Information, Contact Payroll Department
Contact Information: (860) 486 2423
Official Website: http://www.payroll.uconn.edu/

 

REASON FOR POLICY

The purpose of this policy is to ensure the timely and reasonable submission of required documentation to produce on-time, accurate payments to new University employees.  This is critical to meeting payroll processing deadlines; complying with federal and state regulations and reporting requirements; maintaining employee satisfaction; and minimizing additional, unscheduled work for Payroll and hiring departments.

APPLIES TO

This policy applies to all hiring departments and employees at the University of Connecticut, Storrs and Regional Campuses.

DEFINITION

A “New Employee” is defined as an individual who is becoming actively employed with the University of Connecticut and receiving compensation for services.  This generally includes first time hires, as well as rehires who incurred a break in service with their employment at the University.

POLICY STATEMENT

The University is required to produce payments to employees in accordance with the General Statues of Connecticut, Chapter 34, Sec. 3-119, guidelines set by the Connecticut Department of Labor, and Collective Bargaining Agreements.  In addition, the University is required to adhere to the Core-CT payroll processing schedule set forth by the Office of the State Comptroller.

The Payroll Department has established deadline schedules by which required new hire documentation must be received to ensure timely and accurate payments, and compliance with applicable laws.  The deadline schedules are posted on the homepage of the Payroll Department website at www.payroll.uconn.edu. Departments or units responsible for hiring have an obligation to obtain and complete required documentation within the deadlines prescribed at the above website.

Required new hire documentation received in the Payroll Department after the posted deadline may not be processed within the current payroll cycle.  The decision will be based on the circumstances resulting in the late submission, as well as the internal biweekly payroll processing schedule.  Any exceptions to this policy will be strictly limited, and at the discretion of the Payroll Department.

ENFORCEMENT

Violations of this policy may result in appropriate disciplinary measures in accordance with University Laws and By-Laws, General Rules of Conduct for All University Employees, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and the University of Connecticut Student Conduct Code.

PROCEDURES/FORMS

Documentation requirements (electronic and/or paper) for new employees can also be found on the Payroll Department website at www.payroll.uconn.edu.

Re-Employed Retirees, Policy on

Title: Re-Employed Retirees, Policy on
Policy Owner: Office of Human Resources
Applies to: All State of Connecticut Re-Employed Retiree Employees
Campus Applicability: All Campuses, including UConn Health
Approval Date: July 11, 2023
Effective Date: July 11, 2023
For More Information, Contact Office of Human Resources
Contact Information: (860) 486-3034 (Storrs/Regional) / 860-679-2426 (UConn Health)
Official Website: https://hr.uconn.edu/
https://health.uconn.edu/human-resources/

BACKGROUND

The University re-employs retirees who have particular expertise necessary to meet a variety of academic, clinical, research, programmatic and/or administrative needs at a cost savings or benefit to the University and the state of Connecticut. In addition, as a research university and recipient of federal and other grants, the University has significant contractual and compliance obligations to granting agencies. The ability to retain particular expertise in the clinical, academic, and/or research setting, particularly when those retired employees generate revenue or are supported by external funding, is appreciably served by the use of re-employed retirees.

GENERAL POLICY

The University may re-employ retirees when operational, administrative, and/or financial benefits dictate or when needed to maintain continuing operations. Except as otherwise provided below, re-employed retirees may not be re-employed for more than three calendar years and shall not work more than 120 days/960 hours during any one calendar year.

The hourly compensation rate for individuals rehired into the same position from which the individual just retired shall generally not exceed 75% of the hourly rate paid to such employee in the last pay period immediately prior to his or her retirement for 120 days of work. The compensation rate for individuals rehired into different jobs from which they retired should be consistent with the assigned duties to be performed but shall generally not exceed 75% of the pre-retirement hourly rate.  Faculty and other employees that are non-time reporters prior to retirement, and therefore do not have a pre-retirement hourly rate, shall be restricted to post-retirement compensation not to exceed 75 percent of their pre-retirement annual salary.   Re-employed retirees are not eligible for annual mass salary adjustments.  Re-employed retirees may receive adjustments to salary if warranted by the duties and responsibilities of the position as long as all other terms of this policy are met.

Unclassified rehired retirees can be hired into any special payroll title; classified re-hired retirees must be hired into the appropriate Job Code as identified by the State of Connecticut to allow for appropriate tracking.

Appointments of re-employed retirees shall be reviewed by the President, Provost, Executive Vice President of Health Affairs (at UConn Health), or their designee and Human Resources to assess the continued operational needs and to ensure conformance with this Policy.  Proposals to re-employ retirees into senior administrative positions require prior review and approval by the President, Provost, Executive Vice President of Health Affairs, or their designee.

Some examples of appropriate uses for re-employed retirees include:

  • Maintain employees with unique, specialized knowledge and skills where qualified replacements cannot be immediately recruited or where it is financially beneficial for the University to maintain their expertise;
  • Provide qualified staff on a temporary or project basis when part or full-time positions are neither operationally sufficient nor financially beneficial;
  • Prevent the loss of potential revenues generated on grants or contracts;
  • Mitigate against a threat to patient or public safety;
  • Meet immediate and essential staffing needs required by accrediting agencies (e.g., the Joint Commission, DPH, or other regulatory bodies);
  • Secure the expertise of uniquely qualified researchers or staff in support of extramural funding or established grant projects;
  • Cover contractually or legally mandated leaves of absence (e.g., FMLA);
  • Provide clinical coverage to prevent the loss of clinical revenues or reduce use of agency staff through ongoing float positions;
  • Maintain continuity of operations through employment of individuals with particular expertise or experience at a cost savings;
  • Utilize employees with unique, specialized knowledge and skills for short-term projects or durational assignments.

EXCEPTIONS

Exceptions to the compensation and/or three calendar year maximum may be made with approval of the President, Provost, or Executive Vice President of Health Affairs at UConn Health, or their designee. Exceptions should be made when appropriately justified and reasonable in light of the goals expressed in the State of Connecticut’s Executive Order 27A related to the re-employment of retired state employees.  The maximum allotted time to work per calendar year for any rehired retiree is the equivalent of 120 days or 960 hours; exceptions may not be made to this provision of the Policy.

Some common exceptions include the following:

Instructional/Academic/Research Positions

Appointments of faculty and other staff who primarily perform research activities as re-employed retirees may be extended for the term of the extramural funding. Faculty who are hired in an academic capacity to mentor or advise students and provide other academic support to a School/College/Department.

Clinical Positions

Per diem, float, and direct patient care positions based on clinical need.

Adjunct Faculty

Employees who retire from state service and then serve as adjunct faculty. Teaching a maximum of 12 load credits per calendar year is equivalent to 120 days per calendar year.

Seasonal Employees

Employees who serve in seasonal roles, not to exceed three months in any calendar year.
The above are examples only and not intended to be exhaustive. Each exception request should be reviewed to determine if it is in the best interests of the University and consistent with the intent of this Policy.

APPROVAL HISTORY

April 21, 2009 Approved by the Board of Trustees:
August 7, 2013 Revised and Approved by the Board of Trustees
July 11, 2023 Revised and Approved by the President and Senior Policy Council