Separations

Conditions for Requesting Separation Checks

Separation checks are required only for employees leaving the University of California.
Separation checks are NOT required for employees transferring to:

another UC Berkeley department
another UC campus
a University-affiliated laboratory (Lawrence Berkeley, Lawrence Livermore, Los Alamos)

E-mail the completed Payroll Separation Check Request form to payhelp@berkeley.edu as soon as possible. The form should not be unnecessarily delayed. If there is any question as to what the employee is due (e.g., timesheets are missing, etc.), the department should pay what they know to be due and any additional time can be paid when the issue is clarified.
As soon as the Separation Check is available, Payroll will contact the contact person listed on the Payroll Separation Check Request form to arrange pickup of the check.
For voluntary separations, the department can arrange for the employee to pick up the check. However, it is the department's responsibility to make sure the check has been picked up.
In cases where the employee cannot pick up the check, the department must pick up the check and give it to the employee (making sure they sign for it) or mail it to the employee's address on file (making sure to obtain proof of mailing).
If a separation check is returned, file a copy of the check in the employee's personnel file, along with proof of mailing documentation, and return the original check (for cancellation) to the Cashier's Office: 140 University Hall
If an employee contacts the department regarding a check that has already been forwarded to the Cashier's Office, the employee should contact payhelp@berkeley.edu for re-issuance of the check.