University holiday updates frequently asked questions
On Jan. 12, 2024, Virginia Tech announced changes to the university holiday schedule and guidelines. In conjunction, changes were also announced to annual leave accrual plans for university and classified staff. These changes are effective Jan. 10, 2024 for the 2024 leave year. Following are frequently asked questions about these changes.
Holiday schedule and guidelines changes
Q: What specific changes have been made to Virginia Tech’s holiday schedule?
A: Effective January 10, 2024, which is the start of the new leave year, Virginia Tech employees will no longer be required to use annual leave between December 25 and January 1 when the university is closed for Winter Break.
As part of this policy update, the university will reallocate the holidays granted to staff only (George Washington Day, Columbus Day, Election Day, and Veterans Day) to Winter Break, aligning all faculty and staff holidays throughout the year. This policy change will create one consistent set of paid holidays for all eligible employees.
Q: Why are changes being made to the holiday schedule?
A: Standardizing leave around scheduled holidays provides structure and consistency to ensure all university units can plan for adequate staffing, vacations, other leave, deadlines, and work in a consistent and timely manner. Establishing consistency across campus also creates an equitable experience for all faculty and staff.
Q: Do other Virginia universities handle holidays this way?
A: Yes, this update to the university’s holiday schedule aligns Virginia Tech’s leave schedule with peer institutions in Virginia, creates consistent holiday leave practices, and ensures that Virginia Tech is an employer of choice that is competitive with other state institutions and local and regional employers.
Q: Will faculty get more holiday time?
A: Yes, eligible faculty will receive an additional four (4) days of holiday leave during Winter Break.
Q: Will staff get more holiday time?
A: Staff only holidays (George Washington Day, Columbus Day, Election Day, and Veterans Day) will be moved to Winter Break so that no eligible employees need to use annual leave during this time. In order to mitigate the holiday changes, university staff will begin earning more annual leave. See the questions below for more information.
Q: Will classified staff use the new university holiday schedule?
A: Yes, all eligible employees including faculty, university staff, and classified staff will adopt the new holiday schedule.
Q: Is the new policy available?
A: Yes, Virginia Tech’s Policy 4315: Guidelines on Holidays is available on the policy website.
Q: Where I can find the university’s holiday schedule?
A: The holiday schedule is available on the HR website.
Q: What holidays does Virginia Tech observe?
A: The university observes eight (8) holidays (New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day) throughout the year where classes are not in session and the university is normally closed. In addition, the university is closed for “Winter Break” between Dec. 25 – Jan. 1 each year. For more information see Policy No. 4315: Guidelines on Holidays.
Q: Do any Virginia Tech employees have to work on holidays?
A: Emergency personnel may be required to work on holidays or any days(s) of Winter Break. For more information on emergency personnel, see Policy No. 4305: Authorized Closings Leave and Compensation Policy. If employees have questions about whether their position is considered emergency personnel, they should speak with their supervisor or HR representative.
Staff annual leave plan changes
Q: Why was the staff annual leave plan changed?
A: To mitigate the impact of the holiday changes, eligible university staff will see an increase in leave earned per pay period based on years of service. For university staff with less than 20 years of service, this will equate to an additional three (3) to six (6) days of leave per calendar year. Visit the staff leave page for additional details, including a side-by-side comparison of the old and new leave accrual plan for university staff.
Q: When is the new university staff annual leave plan effective?
A: University staff will begin accruing annual leave based on the new plan starting Jan. 10, 2024, which is the start of the new leave year.
Q: Why don’t university staff who have been with the university for more than 20 years get more annual leave?
A: University staff who have been with the university for 20 or more years are already earning the maximum number of hours allowable for annual leave per pay period.
Q: Why don’t classified staff earn more annual leave time?
A: The majority of classified staff are already earning the maximum number of hours allowable for annual leave per pay period. If classified staff wish to convert from classified to university staff, they will transition to the new university staff annual leave plan.
Q: I am a staff employee and wish to still take one of the former staff holidays off. What do I do?
A: Any employee may use accrued annual leave to take time off at any time after working with your supervisor to ensure departmental coverage.
Q: Are staff leave carryover amounts changing?
A: No, university and classified staff leave carryover amounts do not change.
Q: Are staff leave maximum payout amounts changing?
A: No, university and classified staff maximum leave payout amounts do not change.