As the year draws to a close, remember to follow these three important reminders from UCOP!

1. Check the winter break schedule

Oakland, Sacramento, Washington, D.C., and Livermore staff

Our Oakland, Sacramento, Washington, D.C., and Livermore offices will be closed from Monday, Dec. 25, 2023, through Monday, Jan. 1, 2024 for winter break. This includes four paid holidays and two unpaid (curtailment) days:

• UC holidays (paid): Dec. 25, 26, 29 and Jan. 1
• Curtailment closure (unpaid): Dec. 27 and 28

Each department head may identify essential services that must be maintained during the break and schedule staff accordingly. All UCOP offices will reopen on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024.

Timecoding for winter break and curtailment days: Eligible employees can use vacation, compensatory time or leave without pay to cover the two unpaid curtailment days.  If you haven’t yet accumulated enough vacation leave by December to cover the curtailment days, you can arrange to borrow against future vacation time. Unless you are on an approved block leave of absence, you are not permitted to use sick leave.

UCPath staff

The UCPath Center will continue critical operations in support of UC employees during the winter break closure. UCPath employees will be working normal business operations during this period and should check with their supervisors regarding their work schedules. UCPath offices will be fully closed for paid holidays on Dec. 25, 26, 29 and Jan. 1.

For questions regarding curtailment, contact UCOPCurtailment@ucop.edu.

2. Make sure your decorations meet safety standards

If you’re decorating your workspace or common area for the holidays, follow these important tips:

• Only use “blue/green” painters’ tape to affix items to surfaces. All tape should be removed as soon as possible after the holiday/event.
• Avoid any materials that will leave a lasting residue (such as glue, glitter, airborne particles, etc.).
• Lights must be unplugged at the close of business each day (5 p.m.) and not left on over a weekend or extended holiday. Battery-operated lights are recommended.
• Decorations must be hung at least two feet clear of the ground so that they won’t be a tripping hazard.
• Do not enclose your cubicle or decorate in other ways that may interfere with the fire protection systems.
• Do not affix or attach anything to sprinkler heads.
• The use of candles, or any other open flame, is strictly prohibited.
• Decorations must not physically or visually obstruct lighting and pathways to building exits.

For questions about decor, please contact the Work Management Center at (510) 987-0600.

3. Don’t send personal packages to work

As you shop this holiday season, please remember that staff may not send or receive personal packages through UCOP mail services. Our mail services draw on limited university funding and are reserved for official university business. The university cannot assume liability for personal deliveries made to UCOP.

Since all deliveries go through the mailroom for security purposes, this applies to packages sent through the U.S. Postal Service, FedEx, UPS and other couriers.

Delivery alternatives:

• Make arrangements with family or friends to receive your package while you are at work.
• In Oakland, contact these downtown vendors for pick-up options:
  — Fed Ex Office Print & Ship Center, 500 12th St, Oakland
  — U.S. Post Office, 1301 Clay St, Oakland
  — The UPS Store, 1714 Franklin St, Oakland
  — Amazon, 4193 Piedmont Ave, Oakland
• Use couriers’ optional services:
  — FedEx: Customize your delivery
  — U.S. Post Office: Get the mail you missed redelivered
  — UPS: Change your delivery
  — Amazon: Try Amazon Lockers, self-service kiosks placed in shopping centers, retail stores and transit stations. You can select an Amazon Locker as your shipping address, receive a pickup code when the package is delivered and collect your package at your convenience up to three business days after delivery.

For mail-related questions, please contact Loreaner.Lopez@ucop.edu.

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