A transfer is the movement of an employee from a position at one of the University System of Georgia’s (USG) twenty-eight (28) institutions to a position at another USG institution to or from the University System Office (USO) without a break of employment in-between and within 30 calendar days.
During a transfer, all benefits, accumulated leave, retirement, and service continuity will be transferred from one institution to another.
It is of utmost importance that the employee intending to transfer to another USG institution advise 91ÁÔÆæ Human Resources, as soon as possible to avoid any lapse in benefits.
The Shared Services Center (SSC) works with the institutions to assist in the transition of the transfer between the two institutions.
Benefit Transfer Types
Seamless Benefit Transfer: If you transfer between institutions within 30 calendar days in the same month, your benefits will transfer without interruption.
Lapse Benefit Transfer: If your termination date and transfer start date occur in two different months and you decide to take personal time off between the two dates, your health benefits will begin again on your date of hire at the new institution. This will cause a lapse in coverage. You will receive a benefit continuation packet, called COBRA (The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act), from your previous institution. COBRA is voluntary.
- For example: An employee is transferring from UGA to 91ÁÔÆæ. Their last day at UGA will be Friday, June 15. Their first day at 91ÁÔÆæ will be Monday, July 5, using some vacation time around the holiday. The employee’s UGA benefit coverage will stop June 30. As a result, the OneUSG Connect Benefit Call Center will mail a COBRA packet. Their benefits coverage will begin their first day at 91ÁÔÆæ, which is July 5. In this example, the employee will not have coverage from July 1 to July 4, which is why COBRA is offered.
Mid-Month Transfer: If an employee transfers mid-month it will be the responsibility of the former institution to collect benefit premiums for the entire month when the transfer occurs.
- For example: An employee is transferring from 91ÁÔÆæ to Valdosta State University. Their last day with 91ÁÔÆæ is Friday, November 10 and they begin with VSU on Monday, November 13. 91ÁÔÆæ will be responsible for collecting all benefit premiums for the entire month of November. VSU will take over benefit premiums as of December 1. Benefit premiums owed to 91ÁÔÆæ may be deducted from final pay and/or vacation payouts if applicable. If there is an outstanding receivable associated with your benefit coverage after you leave 91ÁÔÆæ you will receive a letter mailed to your home address requesting payment to 91ÁÔÆæ by check, cash or money order. By law, 91ÁÔÆæ must recover these funds and unsuccessful attempts may result in further collection recovery.
Sick Leave
Upon a transfer, an employee must transfer all accrued sick leave from one institution to another.
Vacation Leave
Up to twenty (20) days of accrued vacation leave will automatically be transferred, and any amount over twenty (20) days an employee may elect one of the following options:
- Transfer of the total accrued vacation balance, not to exceed 45 days (360 hours, which is the USG limit an employee may have at any time); or,
- Payment by the former institution of accrued vacation leave in excess of 20 days (160 hours) at your hourly rate. The total accrued vacation leave for which the employee may be paid shall not exceed 25 days (200 hours).
Transfer Letter
The Transfer Letter includes your years of service, retirement and supplemental elections, and vacation and sick leave balances.
Termination & Transfer Start Dates
Once hired at 91ÁÔÆæ, your last day worked at the previous institution must not overlap your new hire date. The same applies when transferring to another institution from 91ÁÔÆæ.
After the transfer is complete, confirm the following:
- Review all benefits you may have been enrolled in from your former institution, via the OneUSG Connect Benefit portal.
- Review your retirement and supplemental enrollment via the Retirement@Work platform.
- Vacation & Sick Leave Accrual via OneUSG Self Service platform. (see note below)
- Direct Deposit Information via OneUSG Self Service platform.
- Federal and State Tax elections via OneUSG Self Service platform. At times during a transfer, tax elections may default to single-0. Please make sure you make any changes necessary.
Note: It can take up to 30 days to receive or send final leave accruals to allow your last accrual to update. This information is not viewable to the transferee until your first payroll with 91ÁÔÆæ is processed. If you need to take time off in the interim, you will need to discuss your leave with your immediate supervisor.
As a USG employee, you are required to serve the first six months in your new position on a provisional basis.
Important Note: If your break of employment between USG institutions exceeds 30 calendar days, you will be considered a new hire — no previous benefits or service time will be retained.
Transferring from a State of Georgia Agency
If transferring from a State of Georgia agency to an USG institution, you can transfer up to 96 hours of sick leave. 91ÁÔÆæ must receive an official letter of sick leave credit from the terminating agency.
Healthcare, annual leave, retirement and other benefits are not transferable.