Employee Education and Development Leave
Non-represented Employees Only
I. Overview
Education and training are fundamental to the University’s philosophy of supporting personal and professional growth. There is a basic premise that departments are responsible for allowing employees to attend required training to perform their job duties. The following policy describes opportunities beyond this basic premise and establishes specified leave time for employees to attend education and training with management approval. Such education and training may prepare employees for change, enhance their own well being, and create an important network of support which can benefit the employee, the unit or department, and the University community.
II. Policy
Career employees will be granted up to eighty (80) hours of education and development leave during regularly scheduled hours of work within any calendar year to participate in position- and career-related educational or professional development programs. To be eligible, employees should have successfully completed a probationary period, if required, and have a performance level that is satisfactory or better. Part-time career employees are eligible for education and development leave on a pro rata basis by the percentage of their appointment.
Educational programs that are required for continued employment, as determined by the supervisor, or that are mandatory for licensure, are excluded from this policy and do not count against the ten-day/eighty-hour allotment. Other examples of required programs are: a contract and grants workshop needed by an employee responsible for processing contracts and grants applications; and On-Line Payroll/Personnel Systems training for payroll administrators or assistants.
Education and development leave may not accumulate from year-to-year. Participation in education and development leave shall be approved in advance and scheduled according to operational needs within departments.
III. Definitions
Position-related programs are those that are not required for the employee’s current position. Rather they are related to the development of skills or knowledge which may enhance an employee’s ability to perform. Examples include: effective communication in the work environment or software applications that enhance the employee’s ability to volunteer for projects.
Career-related programs are those associated with the development of skills, knowledge, and other abilities that prepare an employee for additional assignments or positions within the University. Examples include: a workshop in teambuilding skills or a leadership workshop for an employee whose current position does not include supervisory responsibilities, but who is interested in applying for a supervisory position.
IV. Completion of a Program
Upon completion of a program and in accordance with departmental procedures, the employee may be required to submit verification of attendance or successful completion.