4.11 Annual Leave

Scope

This policy applies to regular and extended temporary staff in all offices and divisions of Gallaudet University, unless specifically covered by collective bargaining agreements made between Gallaudet University and certified bargaining agents.

Policy

Paid annual leave provides eligible employees with time off for rest and relaxation and to conduct personal business. Eligible employees earn annual leave, beginning from the first day of employment, according to the following schedule:

AMOUNT OF ANNUAL LEAVE EARNED PER PAY PERIOD
Number of Paid Hours Per Pay Period	Less Than 3 Years Cumulative Service	3 Years but Less Than 15 Years Cumulative Service	15 Years Service or More Cumulative Service
80	4 hours	6 hours	8 hours
60 - 79	3 hours	4 1/2 hours	6 hours
40 - 59	2 hours	3 hours	4 hours
20 - 39	1 hours	1 1/2 hours	2 hours
1 - 19	0 hours	0 hours	0 hours

The University does not recognize prior employment at Federal or District agencies in determining length of service for annual leave accrual rates. It does recognize prior regular or extended temporary employment at Gallaudet. Annual leave may not be borrowed in advance. Except in emergency situations, annual leave must be requested and approved in advance by the supervisor.

Faculty members or teachers who have not accrued annual leave and who are involuntarily transferred to staff status within their division are credited with a bank account of two days of annual leave for every full year of continuous service at Gallaudet up to a maximum of 30 days. Prior service is not recognized when establishing the bank of annual leave.

Procedures

1. Persons appointed to certain administrative level positions earn annual leave at the rate of six hours per 80 hour pay period as soon as they start employment.
2. Employees may carry unused annual leave from one calendar (leave) year to the next with the following limitations:
   

   Years of Cumulative Service	Maximum Year End Balance
   Less than 3 years of service	240 hours (30 days)
   3 years but less than 15 years service	360 hours (45 days)
   15 years service or more	480 hours (60 days)

3. Unused annual leave in excess of the maximum balance is forfeited at the end of the calendar (leave) year.
4. Unused annual leave is paid by the department from which the employee is separating and is paid at the rate it was last earned.
5. Separating employees receive a lump sum payment for unused annual leave up to the maximum year end balances outlined in Procedure #2.
6. If an approved holiday occurs during an employee's vacation, those hours are not charged to annual leave.
7. Consideration is given to all requests for annual leave and the employee's preference is respected whenever practicable. However, the University reserves the right to deny requests for leave, particularly when the absence would negatively affect departmental or unit operations.
8. Employees who are on paid annual leave continue to accrue leave in the usual manner.