HR Answers Your Winter Break Questions
What will Winter Break look like this year?
Winter break will run from Dec. 25 through Jan. 1. This includes three university holidays on three of the five weekdays during the break. The remaining two days of the break will require using two days of personal leave (vacation, comp time, administrative leave, or governor’s holiday). ÌýCU Boulder will resume campus operations on January 2, 2022 and will be open on Monday January 3, 2022, the national observance of New Year’s Day.Ìý
What is ‘Governor's holiday’ time?
In years past, the governor has granted CU staff additional hours of leave, and if that happens this year, employees will only need to use less personal time during the break.
What happens if I do not have 8 or 16 hours of vacation time to use on Dec. 29 and Dec. 30?
Please work with your supervisor to explore options available to you. ÌýThe intent is not to dock an employee's pay.
Will this new format for Winter Break continue past this year?
Yes, this is planned to be a permanent change to the campus schedule. You can view the current plans for Winter Breaks through Jan. 2024 on CU Boulder’s Holiday Schedule.Ìý
My position requires me to work or be on call Dec. 29 and/or Dec. 30. If the governor grants 8 hours of holiday leave for these days, will I be able to use it at another time?
Yes, just like any other year, if you are required to work on a holiday or the designated governor’s holiday, those hours can be used at another time. Ìý
Why is the university forcing me to take my earned vacation time on certain days?
A collective time away provides the campus community with an opportunity to step away from work without returning overwhelmed. ÌýWe believe this contributes generally to everyone’s well being even though it may require some use of personal leave. ÌýThat being said, there is flexibility in the administration of the week and other factors that will likely limit or eliminate the need to use personal leave.
I want to work on Dec. 29 and/or Dec. 30. Can I?
Some staff prefer to work during winter break because of the fact that students are not around, which provides a quiet atmosphere to get work done. If you would like to work during these days, reach out to your supervisor to discuss possibilities within your specific unit.Ìý