Vacation - HR Policy 301   

 

 

Abstract: 
This policy details vacation benefits for nonexempt and exempt employees.

Effective Date: 06/01/2016

 

Review/Revised Date: 10/1/2023

 

Category: Human Resources

 

Policy Owner: CHRO

Policy Contact: Executive Director Human Resources - Benefits

 

   
 
 
Vacation benefits are provided for the rest and relaxation of the regular employee and are necessary for effective work. Vacation time will begin to accrue at the time of employment and may be utilized with prior supervisory approval.  Full-time regular and 3/12 hour shift employees are entitled to vacation with pay according to the following schedule:

 
Accrual Rates for Vacation Time

  Length of Continuous Service Accrual Rate Per Pay Period Maximum
Accrual
Per Year
Total Maximum
Accrual
Nonexempt Full-Time Employees* 1 through 10 years 3.70 hours 96 hours (12 work days) 192.00 hours
11 through 20 years 5.23 hours 136 hours (17 work days) 272.16 hours
21 or more years 6.77 hours 176 hours (22 work days) 352.08 hours
Exempt Full-Time Employees*Full-Time Employees* 1 through 5 years 1.25 days 15 work days (120 hours) 30 work days (240 hours)
6 through 15 years 1.67 days 20 work days (160 hours) 40 work days (320 hours)
16 or more years 1.83 days 22 work days (176 hours) 44 work days (352 hours)
*The accrual rates for part-time regular employees and Reduced Work Schedule employees are prorated based on hours paid for nonexempt employees and assigned FTE for exempt employees. The maximums for part-time regular employees and Reduced Work Schedule employees can be as much as the maximums for full-time employees.

Vacation benefits and accrual rates for faculty members are specified in the UAB Faculty Handbook.

Persons hired into senior administrative and executive positions are entitled to the maximum vacation benefits as soon as employed. Contact HR Records Administration for further details.

Exempt employees are given a more liberal vacation allowance in recognition of the fact that they are not paid overtime.

Part-time regular nonexempt employees and Reduced Work Schedule employees earn vacation at a prorated amount based on hours paid for each pay period. Part-time regular exempt employees and reduced work schedule employees earn vacation at a prorated amount based on their assigned FTE. The prorated amount will never be less than one-half the rate of full-time employees.

Vacation time for nonexempt and exempt employees is maintained in HR Administrative systems. Maximum accruals are listed in the table above. Once the maximum has been accumulated, the employee may continue to accrue non-reimbursable vacation time which will be transferred to sick time if not taken during the calendar year of accumulation. Vacation accruals above the maximum are programmatically transferred to sick time. 

A recognized holiday occurring during an employee's vacation will not be charged to vacation time. (See Section 302.A of the
Holidays - HR Policy 302 for essential and part time personnel.) No allowance will be made, however, for sickness or other incapacity occurring during an employee's vacation.

Upon termination, unused, accrued vacation up to the maximum payout allowed (see note below) will be paid at the regular rate of pay if the initial six-month probationary period has been completed.  

Employees should contact their supervisor for information concerning discrepancies in their vacation balances.  If a supervisor has questions about accruals, they may contact HR Records Administration at 205-934-4408.  Once time is reported as vacation, it cannot be changed to another form of benefit time without a supervisor's approval. 


Additionally, every effort will be made to schedule an employee's vacation and/or personal holiday time at the time it is requested.  However, in scheduling time off, the effective continuation of the normal work routine will be the primary consideration.  One's supervisor, manager, or department/unit head will make the determination as to whether an employee's vacation or personal holiday time can be taken at the time requested.

NOTE: Effective January 1, 2016, the maximum vacation payout allowed is 22 days (176 hours).

Date Issued: 10/80