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Initiating Authority
- Human Resources serves as the initiating authority of this policy.
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Purpose
- The purpose of this policy is to provide structure, consistency, and accountability
for separations of employment.
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Policy
- The University is an "at-will" employer, meaning either the Employee or the University
may end the employment relationship at any time for any lawful reason, with or without
notice or cause, subject to applicable University policies or agreements.
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Definitions
- For the purpose of this policy only, the following definitions shall apply:
- Administrative Leave: Pursuant to WSU Policy, Administrative Leave may be granted on an individual basis
as paid or unpaid leave from work when such leave is deemed by the University to be
in the best interest of the University and/or Employee.
- At Will Employment: An employment relationship that allows either party (Employee or the University)
to end employment, with or without cause or notice, at any time for any lawful reason,
subject to applicable University policies or agreements.
- Employee: An individual who provides services to the University on a regular basis in exchange
for compensation and receives a W-2 for such services. This includes temporary and
part-time Employees.
- Leadership: Includes individuals at the University who have Employees reporting to them or are
Department Chairs/Directors.
- Senior Leadership: Includes individuals at the University who have Employees reporting to them, are
in a position at the Director/Department Chair level and above and are in the chain
of command of the Employee separating from the University.
- Separation Date: Last day worked or in pay status.
- Separation: Separation initiated by Leadership or by the Employee to end the employment relationship
with the University, or when an Employee is absent from work for three (3) consecutive
workdays and fails to properly notify Leadership.
- University: Wichita State University.
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Administrative Procedure
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Employee Initiated Separation
- Employees, not serving in a Leadership role, should provide a two (2) week written
notice of resignation to the Employee's Leadership. Employees, serving in a Leadership
role, should provide a four (4) week written notice of resignation to the Employee's
direct Leadership.
- The written notice should include the specific reason for separation and the last
available day to work.
- Upon receipt of the notice, Leadership should ensure the Employee understands the
Employee's employment expectations during the notice period, provides eligibility
of rehire status, and processes the Employee separation.
- The notice period is expected to be a working notice, but Leadership may require the
Separation Date to be escalated if this is determined to be in the best interest of
the University.
- Employees may use accrued leave during the notice period with Leadership approval.
- The Separation Date may not be extended without Leadership approval.
- Leadership shall send the original written notice of resignation to Human Resources
which is retained in the employment file.
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Employee No-Show / No-Call
- In situations in which the Employee is absent three (3) consecutive workdays without
properly notifying Leadership, a voluntary separation notice may be delivered by Leadership
to the Employee following the third day. Leadership will make every effort to deliver
the notice in the manner that is most likely to reach the Employee in a timely manner,
which shall include, at a minimum, delivery by certified mail. Personal belongings
will be retained for thirty (30) days, then inventoried and sent to the Employee address
on file if not retrieved by Employee sooner.
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Leadership Initiated Separation
- Separation may be initiated at any time by Leadership and may result from a lack of
funding, end of assignment/appointment, first-time action or violation, or as a result
of ongoing coaching or corrective action.
- If the situation warrants review or investigation, the Employee may be placed on Administrative
Leave.
- Leadership in consultation with Human Resources reviews and approves decisions to
end the employment relationship.
- All Separations are reviewed and approved by respective Senior Leadership.
- Leadership shall prepare and/or review the Separation Form with Human Resources prior to meeting with the Employee.
- Leadership meets with the Employee to present and review the Separation Form. A representative
from Human Resources shall be present at this meeting.
- Leadership and Employee shall arrange a time for the Employee to retrieve any personal
property.
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Applicable Laws And Additional Resources
- Separation of Employment Form
- Leaving the University (WSU webpage)
- WSU Policy 3.19 / Prohibition of Retaliation
- WSU Policy 3.48 / Coaching and Corrective Action
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Revision Dates
- April 30, 2019
- January 24, 2023
- August 25, 2025