How to accumulate and use paid time off

Illustration by Bo Brown

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Dear Benny,
Ive been at Penn for six years, and I still dont know how my vacation time accumulates, or when I can use it.

Needs a Break

Dear Needy,
According to the Human Resources Policy Manual, if you have been employed at Penn in a year-round full-time position for at least five years, you receive two days paid time off each month. Part-time employees accumulate days off based on a percentage of the full-time rate.

The maximum number of days off an employee can accumulate is 24; once that number is reached, no more days accumulate until time off is used.

You can use your paid time off for any purpose, including personal business. If an emergency occurs, the use of paid time off for the emergency is at the discretion of your supervisor.

For complete details about the Universitys paid time off policy, see www.hr.upenn.edu/policy/policies/607faq.asp on the Web.

Dear Benny,
Whats the deal with the dolphin on the Universitys coat of arms?

Wild About Heralds

Dear Wild One,
The dolphin is one of the elements found in the Franklin family coat of arms. According to the University Archives, Penns arms incorporate elements from the coats of arms of two families that figure significantly in the Universitys history, the Penn and Franklin families. Without them, there would be no Pennsylvania and no University. The three silver plates in the blue chevron on Penns arms come from the Penn family arms.

Got a question for Benny? You can ask Benny about benefits, worklife issues, University history or trivia, or other matters pertaining to life at Penn. Send your questions for Benny via e-mail to current@pobox.upenn.edu or via regular mail to the Current, 200 Sansom Place East, 3600 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6106.