Dear Colleagues,
We must take effective steps in order to successfully confront the significant and persistent impacts on our finances brought forward by the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to support a number of employees who are already thinking about leaving, and to assist managers as they plan for the future, we are announcing a second offering of the Voluntary Separation Program (VSP 2021) this Spring.
What is VSP 2021?The Voluntary Separation Program is an incentive-based plan for eligible staff employees who are already considering ending their employment with the University in the near future to encourage them to consider separating on May 15, 2021. Managers and Division Heads will approve VSP requests on a case-by-case basis to ensure departures are aligned with operational needs and unit-specific staffing plans which should help the campus meet our targeted budgets.
Is this program for you?We anticipate that the program will appeal to a number of employees who have already been thinking of ending their employment at Berkeley. It’s entirely your choice about whether this is the right time. The program provides interested employees with an incentive (one-time severance payment) to make their departure decision sooner rather than later. Employees who opt-in to the program, and are approved by their manager, will receive a severance payment based on years of continuous service and type of position.
The University must balance the need to reduce costs with critical operational and academic program needs. Some positions may be exempt based on the inability to discontinue or redistribute functions performed by the position or the unique skills, knowledge, and abilities required for the position.
VSP 2021 Application is open now through March 31, 2021, 5 PM
Why are we offering this again?VSP 2020 was so well-received that we are offering a second opportunity for eligible staff employees to separate from the university in exchange for severance pay. This voluntary incentive-based separation program is a cost savings initiative that will help ongoing budget challenges that we face.
How much are the incentives?Per current policy for eligible employees, the incentive for Managers and Senior Professionals (MSP) will be one month’s pay per full year of service (up to six months total). Professional and Support Staff (PSS) and Represented staff (unless otherwise negotiated) will receive one week’s pay per full year of service (up to 16 weeks total). In exchange, employees who take advantage of the program agree to separate on May 15th, 2021. The maximum severance allowable under VSP 2021 is $150,000.
For additional information about guidelines, application form, and FAQs please visit our People and Culture VSP 2021 website
Sincerely,Eugene & JS
Eugene Whitlock, Chief People and Culture OfficerJS Henderson, Director, Total Rewards
If you are a manager who supervises UC Berkeley employees without email access, please circulate this information to all.
