Early Exit Program (EEP)

Virtual Information Session

Human Resources will host a virtual Zoom information session followed by Q&A from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7. Click here to participate.

Terms and Conditions

Cal Poly hereby implements the EEP with the following terms and conditions:

Process Steps

1. Employee reviews, completes and submits the EEP application via Adobe Sign
   Applications will be accepted beginning at 7:00 am on October 1 through Adobe Sign Only.

2. Human Resources (HR) reviews the employee’s application to determine eligibility

3. If eligible, employee will receive an Acknowledgement of Participation and Resignation generated by HR via email utilizing Adobe Sign

   If ineligible, employee will receive an email from HR with reason for non-qualification

4. Employee has 10 calendar days to review and sign the Acknowledgment Form. The Acknowledgement Form will then be routed to the employee’s appropriate administrator (MPP) for review and signature. Please note, during this step, the employee and appropriate administrator must agree on a separation date.

5. Once the employee’s appropriate administrator signs, the Acknowledgement Form is routed to HR

6. Ten days prior to the employees separation, HR will send the employee separation email instructions, including appropriate paperwork for completion.

   Separation Checklist:

   • Complete Payroll Form 300
     • Keys
     • Library Services
     • Equipment/Technology
     • Outstanding Debts (if applicable)
     • Parking
     • Travel
     • Payroll Deductions
     • Benefits
   • Sign Final Separation Agreement
   
   

7. HR sends employee Final Separation and Release Agreement for signature and submission on their last day of employment with Cal Poly. The severance shall be paid within thirty (30) calendar days after the separation date and receipt of the signed Final Separation and Release Agreement.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the Early Exit Program (EEP)?

  The EEP is a one-time, non-precedent setting program designed to create an incentive for CalPERS retirement eligible employees to voluntarily leave employment at Cal Poly.

• Am I eligible to participate in the EEP program?

  Refer to the Terms and Conditions which can be found here.

• What are the Terms and Conditions of the EEP?

  The terms and conditions of the program may be found here.

• If I am eligible for the program, do I have to take it?

  No, this is a strictly voluntary program.

• What is the Severance Package Amount?

  Please see the severance package section of the terms and conditions. Calculations will be provided.

• How and when is the incentive going to be paid?

  The incentive will be paid in a lump sum, net of taxes, within thirty (30) calendar days of the separation date.

• Why are only six months of incentive being offered to eligible employees, some of whom have been at the University for many decades?

  In designing the EEP, the University looked at multiple factors including budgetary constraints and operational needs of the University as well as other similar programs that have been offered at other universities and determined that the EEP is a generous program.

• Will I receive a Vacation Payout?

  The Employees final accumulated vacation accruals will be paid out on their final check. Please consult Payroll Services for further information.

• Do I need to sign the Final Separation and Release Agreement?

  Yes, the Final Separation and Release Agreement form must be signed to participate in the EEP and to receive payment of the severance package within thirty (30) calendar days of the separation date.

• Does my supervisor have to approve my participation in this program?

  No. Employees that apply and are eligible and will be accepted up until the threshold is reached. Please see the terms and conditions for details.

• Is retirement a condition of the EEP?

  No, an employee does not have to retire after separating from Cal Poly through the EEP. Eligibility to participate only requires that an employee be CalPERS retirement eligible but there is no requirement to retire. Employees must retire with CalPERS within 120 days of separating from Cal Poly to be eligible for health and dental benefits in retirement.

• I am a staff, MPP or Confidential employee that has not retired, but I already established a retirement date. Can I still participate in the EEP?

  An employee who has already established a retirement date on or before September 1, 2020, or is in the process of separating from Cal Poly on or before that date, is ineligible for this program.

• What will my CalPERS retirement package look like?

  Please sign into your CalPERS account and use the retirement calculator tool to determine an estimate of your retirement benefit package. You can log onto your CalPERS account by following this link to the myCalPERS Login Page.

• If I participate in the EEP and do not retire, can I be re-hired by Cal Poly at a later date?

  Yes, there is nothing prohibiting an employee from re-applying to another position at Cal Poly.

• If I participate in the EEP, may I still work for the campus as a rehired annuitant?

  Only if the employee retires. Rules governing rehired annuitants may be found by following the CalPERS Rehired Annuitant link.

• Is there a specific time I need to separate?

  Any time before or on December 30, 2020. In rare cases, and under mutual consent, separation dates up to the end of spring quarter 2021 (June 12, 2021) may be approved by the President.

• Is this plan or the deadline negotiable?

  This timeline is designed to provide an appropriate planning opportunity to both employees and managers and must be applied consistently to ensure that everyone is treated fairly.

• May I receive additional service credit as with a Golden Handshake Incentive?

  No. The Golden Handshake retirement incentive is administered and directed by the Governor’s Office. Cal Poly does not have the authority to make service credit decisions. The EEP only provides a one-time lump sum financial incentive.

• Will employees who choose this voluntary program be eligible for health insurance during this retirement period?

  a. Employees who meet retiree health vesting rules are eligible to take their health insurance into retirement. Employees must retire with CalPERS within 120 days of separating from Cal Poly to be eligible for health and dental benefits in retirement. Please contact Cal Poly Benefits Services at benefits@calpoly.edu for benefit information.

• Will I be able to retain my email after retirement?

  If you retire and qualify for emeritus status from Cal Poly you will retain your email address; however, if you separate without retiring or are not eligible for emeritus status you will lose access to your email address.

• Will this program be offered in the future?

  This is a one-time program but may be extended at the discretion of the University.

• I am a faculty member that has not retired, but I already submitted an application to FERP in the following academic year. Can I still participate in the EEP?

  Yes, the faculty member must rescind their FERP application to be eligible for EEP.

• If I participate in the EEP, can I enter the FERP program?

  No, faculty members that choose to participate in the EEP are no longer eligible to enter the FERP program.

• If I am participating in the Pre-Retirement Reduction in Time Base (PRTB) program, can I still participate in the EEP?

  Yes, faculty members that are currently in the PRTB, may choose to participate in the EEP, but they will not be able to enter the FERP program following separation/retirement.

• I am a lecturer with 12.12 entitlement to 44 WTUs. I'm teaching full-time this quarter. Am I eligible to participate in the EEP?

  No, the EEP is only open to 12.12 entitled lecturers with 45 WTU entitlement. Lecturers can review their appointment letter which states their, entitlement WTUs.

• What constitutes a previous notice of retirement?

  Established a retirement date through notification in writing to their appropriate administrator on or before to September 1, 2020.

• Can I appeal the result of the EEP program decision provided to me?

  Yes, Once an employee receives communication from HR/AP, employees determined to be ineligible who believe that they met the eligibility requirement may appeal the disposition of their EEP application. To submit an appeal, employees should contact Human Resources for staff and management positions or Academic Personnel for faculty positions. Each appeal will be reviewed on a case by case basis utilizing the EEP Terms and Conditions as the binding document.