Question: What are the official University holidays?
Answer: Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, 1996; Independence Day, Thursday, July 4, 1996; Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 2, 1996; Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28, 1996; the day after Thanksgiving, Friday, Nov. 29, 1996; Christmas Day, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 1996; and New Year's Day, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 1997.
Question: Do I have to be at work the day before a holiday to be paid for the holiday?
Answer: Staff members who are absent from work either the work day before a holiday, the work day after a holiday, or both days, will receive holiday pay provided that the absence is charged to pre-approved vacation or personal days, or to sick days substantiated by a written note from the staff member's physician.
Question: Does the University have a policy for faculty and staff members who are in the National Guard or the U.S. Armed Forces Reserves?
Answer: Yes, the University grants time off with pay for annual military duty provided the duty is obligatory to maintain military status.
Question: How much time would I be paid for?
Answer: The maximum paid time allowed for annual duty is 10 work days per fiscal year. Any period of time in excess of the 10 days may be taken as vacation time or leave without pay with the approval of the supervisor or department head.
Question: What is the procedure for notifying my supervisor of my military duty?
Answer: A completed "request for time off" form should be submitted to your supervisor at least two weeks prior to duty. The request should include departure and return dates, and must be accompanied by a copy of the official orders.
Question: How do I receive compensation for my military duty?
Answer: If military pay is less than University pay, the University pays the difference. In order to receive pay, the faculty or staff member must endorse the military pay check to the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania and submit it to the departmental business administrator or designee. In addition, a certified statement of the military pay and allowances for the time off must accompany the check. Military pay does not include reimbursement for travel expenses.
Question: What happens if I do not turn in my military check?
Answer: If the staff or faculty member does not submit the military pay, he or she will be charged vacation time equal to the time away from work.
Question: Does the University grant leave to staff members who wish to serve full-time in the military?
Answer: Yes. A leave of absence of up to four years will be granted for full-time military service for staff members called or volunteering for military duty. The individual on military leave must apply for return to active University status within 90 days following discharge from active military duty. The department granting the leave is committed to return the staff member to active status in the same or comparable position, pay grade and salary within the department at the end of the leave.
Question: What is the introductory period?
Answer: The introductory period is the first four months of a new staff member's employment at the University. This period provides the supervisor with the opportunity to determine if the staff member meets the required standards for continued employment. During this time, the supervisor is encouraged to meet with the new staff member to communicate job responsibilities, expectations, procedures and overall job performance.
Question: Can I take time off during the introductory period?
Answer: Staff members cannot use vacation, personal or floating days during the introductory period. If a staff member is sick during this time, accrued sick days may be used.
Question: How will I know if I have completed my introductory period successfully?
Answer: Prior to the end of your introductory period, your supervisor should complete an "introductory appraisal form" and meet with you to discuss your job performance. In some cases the introductory period may be extended up to an additional two months to give the staff member more time to meet the expectations of the position.
If you have any questions regarding a Human Resource issue, please contact Human Resources at 898-6093 or e-mail us at askhr@pobox.upenn.edu.