Holiday Closing Period

Kyle Cavanaugh, Vice President for Human Resource Services

In addition to the Christmas and New Year holidays, the university also will observe a holiday closing period this year from December 26 through December 29. The holiday closing period is designed to offer departments the flexibility to close or significantly reduce staffing during the holiday season as decided by the appropriate vice presidents working with deans, directors, and department chairs in their areas.

All TEAMS employees and 12-month Academic Personnel have been credited with four personal leave days to be used where possible during the period of December 26 to December 29. UF vice presidents—working with deans, directors, and department chairs—determine which TEAMS employees and 12-month Academic Personnel should be deemed “essential” personnel and are, therefore, required to work during this period.

USPS employees are not eligible for these four personal leave days, but they may be required to use vacation leave during the holiday closing period if a department chooses to close or upon supervisory request.

In the event a USPS employee does not have vacation leave to cover the period, he or she may request that vacation leave be advanced to cover that absence, in which case the department is obligated to provide it. The holiday closing period is the only time in which vacation leave may be advanced. USPS employees also may use leave without pay, in keeping with University of Florida policy, during this time.

For planning purposes, we recommend deciding now whether or to what extent departments will be closed, who will be designated “essential,” and whether USPS employees will be required to take time off during this period. We also recommend sharing this information with employees in your area. Additional information on the holiday closing period will be distributed via the InfoGator later today.

For additional information, please contact Central Leave at (352) 392-5732, or at central-leave@ufl.edu .