Many of the benefits of employment are determined at least in part by an employee’s length of service. Therefore, continuous service must be calculated in a consistent and equitable manner.
Continuous service begins with a person’s date of employment in a benefits eligible position and is unaffected by leaves of absence, so long as an employee returns to work at the conclusion of such leaves. Continuous service is also unaffected by military service so long as the employee exercises his or her return rights and all conditions established by the U.S. Department of Labor regarding such return are met.
Under this policy, continuous service ceases in the event of:
- Involuntary termination;
- Voluntary termination if not re-employed within one year of termination date;
- Remaining in a state of layoff for a period of one year.
Employees who are rehired by the university in a benefits eligible position within one year (365 days or less) following voluntary termination or layoff will receive credit for their prior benefits eligible service for service awards.
Some of the university’s benefit plans have different definitions relative to a break in service, and such definitions will apply to those benefit plans.