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1. Purpose and Applicability
   This Policy establishes a process for the separation of UMGC nonexempt staff employees on regular status. Nonexempt staff employees who are included in the representation of the collective bargaining unit are subject to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and applicable UMGC HR policies; where there is a conflict between the two, the MOU will prevail.
2. Registration
   A nonexempt staff employee wishing to resign in good standing shall give their department head at least 14 calendar days’ written notice.
3. Termination for Cause
   1. A nonexempt staff employee who has completed a probationary period may be permanently removed from their position only for cause as follows:
      1. Upon being provided with written charges; and
      2. After an opportunity to be heard in the employee’s own defense;
      3. But in no case on account of the employee’s religious or political opinions or affiliations or for refusing to contribute to a political fund or render political services.
   2. Causes for removal may include, but are not limited to:
      1. Incompetence or inefficiency in the performance of the employee’s duty.
      2. Wanton carelessness or negligence in the performance of the employee’s duty.
      3. Use of unwarrantable or excessive force in the employee’s treatment of public charges, fellow employees, or other persons.
      4. A permanent or chronic physical or mental ailment or defect that prevents the employee from performing the essential functions of their job with accommodations as required by law.
      5. Violation of any lawful official regulation or order or failure to obey any lawful and reasonable direction given by the employee’s superior officer when such violation or failure to obey amounts to insubordination or serious breach of discipline which may reasonably be expected to result in a lower morale in the organization or to result in loss or injury to UMGC or the public.
      6. Wantonly offensive behavior in the employee’s conduct toward fellow employees, users of UMGC facilities or the general public.
      7. Violation of any provisions of the state ethics law.
      8. Engaging in a private business or in a trade or occupation where the duties of the employee’s position as prescribed by law or regulation requires the employee’s entire time for their performance.
      9. Dishonest or fraudulent actions and acts of coercion against other employees.
      10. Conviction of a criminal offense or of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude.
      11. Through gross negligence or willful conduct, causing significant damage to public property or waste of public supplies.
      12. Using, threatening to use, or attempting to use political influence or the influence of any State employee or officer in securing promotion, transfer, leave of absence, or increased pay.
      13. Willfully making a false official statement or report.
      14. Conduct bringing UMGC into public disrepute.
4. Process for Filing Charges for Removal
   1. Suspension Pending Charges for Removal
      1. A department head, chairperson or other authorized official may suspend with or without pay any employee pending the filing of charges for the employee’s removal with UMGC’s Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) or designee.
      2. Such notice of suspension must be in writing, stating the reasons for the suspension and advising the employee that the suspension may be appealed.
      3. If immediate personal delivery is not possible, such notice shall be delivered to the employee’s last known address via a delivery method that ensures verification of receipt of delivery.
      4. In addition, the employee is to be advised that formal charges for removal will be forwarded to the CHRO. Further, a copy of the charges for removal will be forwarded to the employee within a short period, and information regarding the employee’s rights will accompany the formal charges.
      5. In the event an employee is suspended without pay and the charges are not received by the CHRO within 10 working days, the department must place the employee on leave with pay until such charges are received by the CHRO.
      6. Rights of appeal to a suspension pending removal are outlined in VII-8.00-GC – UMGC Policy on Grievances for Nonexempt and Exempt Staff Employees.
      7. A nonexempt employee may be suspended for whole or partial days.
   2. Filing Charges for Removal
      1. A department head or chairperson may file charges for removal of a nonexempt staff employee with UMGC’s CHRO.  The charges shall state the cause(s) for removal and the specific acts which constitute cause for removal.
      2. One copy of the charges for removal shall be presented to the employee against whom the charges are brought.  If immediate personal delivery is not possible, such notice shall be delivered to the employee’s last known address via a delivery method that ensures verification of receipt of delivery.
      3. Such notice shall advise the employee that they may, within five (5) working days of the date of delivery as indicated by the evidence of delivery, request an opportunity to be heard in the employee’s own defense.
      4. Rights of appeal to the filing of charges for removal are outlined in VII-8.00-GC – UMGC Policy on Grievances for Nonexempt and Exempt Staff Employees.

Implementation Procedure

The UMGC President has designated the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) to administer this policy; to develop procedures as necessary to implement this policy; to communicate this policy and any applicable procedures to the UMGC community; and to post this policy and any applicable procedures on the UMGC website.

Replacement for:

USM BOR VII-1.23 – Policy on Separation of a Nonexempt Staff Employee

See all Human Resources Policies and Procedures