Offboarding guidance

Please review this reference document for guidance as you approach the conclusion of your postdoctoral appointment or fellowship. If you have any questions, please contact postdoc-affairs@brown.edu or the Benefits Office within University Human Resources at benefits_office@brown.edu.

Employment verification 

University Human Resources at Brown uses The Work Number system to provide official proof of employment to third parties. Details can via the HR Service Center webpage; scroll down to Employment and Income Verifications.

If the documentation available through The Work Number is insufficient for your needs, the next step would be to contact the HR Service Center directly using one of the contact methods listed under Visit or Connect with Us on that same webpage.

Unemployment Compensation

OUPA and Brown University cannot advise postdoctoral appointees regarding individual eligibility for unemployment benefits. Postdoctoral appointees or department staff with general questions may contact Employee & Labor Relations within University Human Resources at employeeandlaborrelations@brown.edu.

Postdoctoral appointments are generally made for limited terms. Although many appointments are for one year, some postdoctoral appointees may hold multi-year appointments. Postdoctoral appointees should not assume that an appointment will be automatically renewed. Appointees are encouraged to discuss the possibility of renewal with their supervisor, department, or appointing unit well in advance of the anticipated reappointment date.

If a Postdoctoral Research Associate appointment ends before the stated appointment end date or is not renewed, the individual may wish to contact the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training (DLT) regarding potential eligibility for unemployment compensation. Eligibility for unemployment benefits is determined solely by the DLT. Individuals who believe they may be eligible may submit a claim directly to the DLT.

Postdoctoral Fellows are not classified as Brown University employees, and their compensation may be classified as a stipend, depending on the nature of the fellowship or funding source, such as a U.S. NRSA Postdoctoral Fellowship. Eligibility for unemployment benefits is determined solely by the DLT. Individuals who believe they may be eligible may submit a claim directly to the DLT.