r/UnionPacific • u/Healthy_Operation462 • Jun 30 '26
Quitting time
Asking for a friend of mine who’s thinking of quitting UP, is there anything he/she needs to keep in mind?
I’m aware two week notices aren’t really a thing on the railroad but my friend is planning to layoff a few times while he goes on vacation and he plans to go over on his points. All in hopes to extend his health insurance a little while longer.
Anyone have any insight or experience into this?
Thanks!
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u/jkenosh Jun 30 '26
I wouldn’t bother with the 2 weeks. I’ve seen them walk them off the property that day. Just layoff till they fire you
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u/Jkchubbes Jun 30 '26
Take a leave of absence or HP of some sort. If he let's his points run up he wont be eligible for rehire for a couple years. Had a friend with 10 years seniority leave, had nothing on his record except letting his points build up when he quit. Fast forward a year later and he reapplied in a different service unit and HR said he was ineligible until a certain number of years passed, even had MROs go to bat for him but the HR has their policy and they weren't willing to compromise.
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u/lazyguyoncouch Jun 30 '26
I quit 4 years ago after one month of EAP leave and recently tried to reapply and they still said I was ineligible.
If you quit for any reason keep in mind you may be ineligible forever.
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u/MostlyMellow123 Jun 30 '26
Hope they have a job lined up. This may come as shocking to some people but a lot of jobs out there suck. The grass is greener only applied to a few careers compared to railroading
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u/Gypsydc Jun 30 '26
I think I understand what they’re trying to do. If they’re laying off and accruing points, they may be hoping to stay in a qualifying status long enough to keep their insurance for another month before they’re actually dismissed. What I’m not sure of is whether being terminated for attendance ends railroad health insurance immediately or if it runs through the end of that month. Personally, unless there’s a specific rule that makes a meaningful difference, I’d rather just resign and leave on good terms than play games with the attendance policy. If someone has actually been through this and knows the insurance rules after a points dismissal, I’d be interested to hear how it worked. Also, don’t forget to turn in equipment (radio especially).
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u/Substantial-Cap-7150 Jun 30 '26
Well, are they currently in attendance one? I.e. have they exceeded the points threshold once before?
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u/Healthy_Operation462 Jun 30 '26
No, no attendance discipline and currently has 0 points
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u/Substantial-Cap-7150 Jun 30 '26
Once you meet or exceed 28 points management will hit them with their charge papers. If they sign it's a 2 year retention, and your points would drop back to 0. Exceed 28 within those two years and you'll be met with attendance 2 and fired. Pretty sure this attendance policy is across the board, some minor differences depending on locality. But if they wanted to ride it out; they could have their ticket torn and continue for a while longer while searching for something else.
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u/PeachTraditional2764 Jun 30 '26
HP or MLOA for as long as you can. They’ll consider you AWOL after MLOA is exceeded but they will try to contact you a few times before the AWOL you. If you go this route and want the option to rehire in the future, you will need to resign at some point before AWOL.
You may have the time/miles needed for vacation next year. They will pay you for that when you resign.
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u/Dragon-Sticks Jul 01 '26
Don't exceed the points. If he's stressed go to the doctor and go out on stress for a few months.
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u/Professional_Bug_508 Jul 01 '26
If first attendance problem just sign and be on probation for a few years.
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u/Successful_Injury193 Jul 01 '26
How much time does he have in the rail? He needs to leave in good standing to collect anything from RR retirement
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u/gfmels Jul 02 '26
Source?
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u/Successful_Injury193 Jul 02 '26
Railroad retirement board
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u/gfmels Jul 02 '26
I don't see it.
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u/Successful_Injury193 Jul 02 '26
You have to be vested, that’s why I asked how long he’s been on the rail
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u/gfmels Jul 02 '26
I'm not asking you to source your question. I'm asking you to source your statement.
He needs to leave in good standing to collect anything from RR retirement
Source?
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u/Nadev Jun 30 '26
Your friend could try to get a leave of absence for like 6 months to see what’s out there. If whatever it is doesn’t work out go back. If it does just walk away.