How to Request It

An employee should submit an electronic request to the department to receive advance authorization for vacation leave. Employee choice is considered, but the university reserves the right to schedule vacation time to minimize work disruption. Employees who request vacation leave well in advance will make it easier for supervisors to accommodate vacation choices.

Vacation leave must not be unreasonably denied or deferred. Employees who believe their vacation rights have been violated should contact Human Resources.

Vacation Leave Advancement

With departmental approval, employees may be advanced up to five days of vacation leave. Employees shall reimburse the University for all used, unearned vacation leave upon separation.

Accrual

Vacation leave accrual begins on the first day of employment and ends on the last day of employment. Rate of accrual is shown in the accrual charts which follow.

The formula to calculate vacation leave accrual for a full-time employee for less than a full month of employment is:

(Days in pay status in month) divided by (Total workdays in month) times (Hours per month from accrual chart) equals (Hours accrued).

Part-time employees accrue vacation in proportion to their FTE. The formula to calculate vacation leave accrual for a part-time employee is:

(FTE from PAF) times (Hours per month from accrual chart) equals (Hours accrued).

The formula to calculate vacation leave accrual for a part-time employee for less than a full month of employment is:

(Days in pay status in month) divided by (Total workdays in month) times (FTE from PAF) times (Hours per month from accrual chart) equals (Hours accrued).

Employees accrue vacation only when they are in pay status.

Time worked in excess of 40 hours in the workweek does not affect vacation leave accrual.

When balances are posted, figures should represent accrual up to the time of posting.

(For vacation leave accrual for employees transferring from one university position to another or for employees coming to a campus position from other University of Nebraska campuses, from other Nebraska state colleges, or from Nebraska state government agencies, see Transfer, Recruitment and Hiring.)

Accrual, Change in Rate

For employees transferring from office/service to managerial/professional positions or vice versa, change in the rate of vacation accrual will begin on the effective date of transfer. For accrual purposes, years of service will be transferred to the new position.

Change in the rate of vacation accrual due to increased seniority will be effective on the anniversary date of hire.

Office/Service Accrual Chart

Full-time office/service employees accrue vacation leave as follows:

Years of ServiceHours per MonthDays per Year

1st through 5th year

8.00 hours

12 days

Beginning of 6th year

10.00 hours

15 days

Beginning of 7th year

10.67 hours

16 days

Beginning of 8th year

11.33 hours

17 days

Beginning of 9th year

12.00 hours

18 days

Beginning of 10th year

12.67 hours

19 days

Beginning of 11th year

13.33 hours

20 days

Beginning of 12th year

14.00 hours

21 days

Beginning of 13th year

14.67 hours

22 days

Beginning of 14th year

15.33 hours

23 days

Beginning of 15th year

16.00 hours

24 days

Beginning of 16th year

16.67 hours

25 days

16 years and over

16.67 hours

25 days

 

Managerial/Professional Accrual Chart

Full-time managerial/professional employees accrue vacation leave as follows:

Years of ServiceHours per MonthDays per Year

1st and 2nd year

8.00 hours

12 days

Beginning of 3rd year through 5th year

12.00 hours

18 days

6 years and over

16.00 hours

24 days

 

Balancing of Vacation Leave

The amount of vacation leave that can be accumulated by employees effective April 1, 2007 is 280 hours. Employees will not accrue any additional vacation leave until their balance drops below 280 hours.

Employees may check their current vacation balance by reviewing their pay advice or by accessing the Employee Self Service (ESS) website at https://firefly.nebraska.edu

Payments Upon Separation from the University

An employee separated from the university for any reason will receive pay for unused vacation leave. In the event of death, payment will go to the employee's designated eligible survivor.

Vacation Leave Accrual for Rehires

For purposes of vacation leave accrual, employees who leave the University (for other than corrective action reasons) and return to a leave-eligible position within three years will be credited with prior years of service. The leave accrual date will be adjusted to reflect the absence.

Employee Transfer

An employee separating from a leave eligible position to move to another University of Nebraska leave eligible position within 12 months will not be paid for any leave.  Instead the leave will transfer to the new unit.  Exceptions are employees who are reduced in force or who move to a non-leave eligible position.