Discussion

A departing employee needs to be informed of any rights to benefits (i.e., ending date of current benefits) or optional continued benefits coverage after termination (i.e., COBRA), and reminded of their responsibility to keep the NPC informed of address changes prior to the end of the calendar year [required for mailing W2 forms].

Departing employees should go through the clearance process at the NPC and the VAMC.  The clearance process will vary with each NPC and VAMC but is necessary to insure that all VA and NPC property issued at employment is returned prior to departure (i.e., identification badge, keys, parking, lab coats, equipment, etc.) Departing employees are usually required to pay for any lost items before the clearance process can be finalized. A completed copy of the formal VA paperwork should be maintained in the employee file of the NPC.

Once the clearance process has been completed, the executive director should make arrangements for handling the employee’s final paycheck. Any unpaid obligations to the NPC will be deducted from the final paycheck and the final paycheck will be mail during the next pay period.

NOTE: Some states require immediate payment of an employee’s final paycheck.  Contact you local attorney or Department of Labor for state specific requirements.