Carnegie Mellon University

Leaving the University

As you prepare to separate from Carnegie Mellon University, there are steps you should take to ensure that you receive the benefits you are entitled to and that your last-day obligations are met. On this page:


Last-Day Obligations

  1. Submit a resignation letter to your supervisor specifying the last day of work and the reason for resignation.
    1. Non-exempt staff members are asked to give at least two weeks' notice. Exempt staff members are asked to give one month's notice.
    2. After you notify your supervisor, please begin the submit resignation process [pdf] in Workday. Please note that the Workday process only applies to employees who are leaving the university and does not apply employees transferring to a different position within the university.
  2. Complete the tasks detailed in the Offboarding Checklist for Staff [pdf].
  3. Contact HR Employee Services for any benefits-related questions.

Paid Time Off (PTO) Payout

  • In most cases your earned but unused PTO balance, up to your annual entitlement, is paid out upon termination of employment (including retirement) or transfer to a non-PTO eligible position (e.g., full-time to part-time; staff to faculty).
  • Your supervisor or other department representative will notify Payroll of the balance to be paid out through the Workday separation transaction or by contacting HR Employee Services.
  • Your final paycheck will include payment for accrued, unused PTO days. If you have used more PTO days than you've earned (a negative PTO balance), the university reserves the right to subtract the value of those PTO days from your final pay.
  • See the Paid Time Off Policy for complete information on PTO pay out, including guidelines and exceptions.

Benefits Continuation

  • Under most circumstances, benefits coverage may be continued through COBRA. Under COBRA, employees pay the full cost of the plan, plus a 2% fee. COBRA is generally offered for up to 18 months.
  • Active coverage ends on the last day of the month in which eligibility ends (i.e., the last day of employment). When you elect to continue your coverage, COBRA is effective the 1st of the month following, so there is no gap in coverage. 

Benefits Under COBRA

The COBRA plans offered are the exact same plans offered to active employees. In general, you must enroll in the same plans you had as a covered member. However, you do not have to choose all plans (e.g., you can choose to continue dental, but not vision). You can also choose who you want to continue coverage for (e.g., waive COBRA for yourself, but elect for your spouse and/or children).

NOTE: If you are currently enrolled in an international benefit plan, please contact your local HR representative or HR Employee Services regarding your COBRA eligibility and other important benefits information.

Retirement Savings

Plan participants who terminate employment with CMU may leave their assets in the plan or roll over their assets to another employer or to an Individual Retirement Account (IRA).

Learn how to roll over your assets or start distributions.