Vacation Benefits

Personal Time off with pay is available to eligible employees to provide opportunities for rest, relaxation, and personal pursuits. Employees in the following employment classification(s) are eligible to earn and use personal time as described in this policy:

* Regular full-time employees

The amount of paid personal time employees receive each year increases with the length of their employment as shown in the following schedule:

*After 6 months to 1 year of eligible service the employee is entitled to 5 days.

*After 1 year of eligible service the employee is entitled to 10 personal days each year.

*After 5 years of eligible service the employee is entitled to 15 personal days each year.

*After 10 years of eligible service the employee is entitled to 20 personal days each year.

*After 15 years of eligible service the employee is entitled to 25 personal days each year.

*After 20 years of eligible service the employee is entitled to 30 personal days each year.

*After 25 years of eligible service the employee is entitled to 35 personal days each year.

Modified full-time employees - recieve 5 personal days per year after 1 year of service.

The length of eligible service is calculated on the basis of a "benefit year." This is the 12-month period that begins when the employee starts to earn personal time.

Once employees enter an eligible employment classification, they begin to earn paid personal time according to the schedule. However, before personal time can be used, a waiting period of 180 calendar days must be completed. After that time, employees can request use of earned personal time including what accrued during the waiting period.

Paid personal time can be used in minimum increments of four hours. To take personal time, employees should turn in request at least one month in advance for personal time of 1 or more weeks. Employee's supervisor must approve all other personal days one week in advance. Requests will be reviewed based on a number of factors, including business needs and staffing requirements. In the case of conflicting requests, priority will be given based on seniority and the timing of the requests.

Employees may take up to two weeks of personal time at one time. If an employee wishes to extend this period, he must make a request with his supervisor at least one month in advance. Exceptions to the two consecutive weeks of personal rule will be made on an individual basis with written approval of the respective member of management.

Personal time off is paid at the employee's base pay rate at the time it is taken. It does not include overtime or any special forms of compensation such as incentives, commissions, bonuses, or shift differentials.

As stated above, employees are encouraged to use available paid personal time for rest, relaxation, and personal pursuits. In the event that available personal time is not used by the end of the benefit year, employees will be paid for the unused time bringing the benefit balance to zero or an employee may carry over up to 5 days of personal time accrued as of his anniversary date for a 12 month period following that date. Any personal time not taken by the 12 month period following their anniversary date will be paid to the employee by the end of the month following that 12-month period. All employees must take at least five consecutive days of personal time per year. Personal time accrual will begin again in the next benefit year.

Upon termination of employment, employees will be paid for unused personal time that has been earned through the last day of work at the next regular payroll date.

Policy No.  303  Issued  9/20/2005  Applicable  5/10/2023