Use the vacation days you’ve earned before summer ends
August 25, 2014 •
Did you know that the average American worker takes off only about half the vacation time he or she earns, and 15 percent don’t take any time at all? But HR experts say those who take breaks from work are more satisfied and more productive.
With summer drawing to a close, now is a good time to take a few days off to rest and recharge if you haven’t already done so, especially if you’re about to reach your maximum vacation balance.
Your leave is calculated based on your appointment type, percent of time worked and years of UC service. The maximum you can accrue is two times your annual accrual (with some exceptions). Once you reach your maximum, you can’t earn any additional vacation until you take time off and your balance falls below the cap.
If you don’t know your maximum vacation balance, consult the accrual rate table on page 1 of UCOP HR Procedure 41, Absence from Work. You can check your balances in the Time Reporting System or by reviewing your current pay statement.
If you still have questions regarding your leave balances, please contact Payroll Team Lead Ana Trejo at Ana.Trejo@ucop.edu. For questions about the vacation leave policy and procedures, contact Employee and Labor Relations Manager Michael Lum at Michael.Lum@ucop.edu.
Holiday closure period
In planning time off, remember UCOP’s holiday closure period, which falls this year from Wednesday, Dec. 24, through Thursday, Jan. 1, as follows:
- Winter holidays (paid): Dec. 24, 25 and 31 and Jan. 1
- Office closure (unpaid): Dec. 26, 29 and 30
- Office reopens: Friday, Jan. 2, 2015
Eligible employees can use vacation, compensatory time or leave without pay to cover the three workdays during closure. If you haven’t accumulated enough leave to cover those days, arrangements will be made to allow you to borrow against future vacation time.
For exclusively represented employees, the Office of Labor Relations will notify unions about the holiday leave schedule. Each vice president may identify essential services that must be maintained during this period and plan for staffing accordingly.
For questions about the holiday schedule, please contact Local HR Executive Director John Fox at John.Fox@ucop.edu.
