Gov. Kim Reynolds has announced two additional paid leave days in 2025 as a show of appreciation for state employees' service.

Eligible employees will receive the additional paid leave as banked vacation hours, following the university's usual practice.

Here's how the university plans to implement these additional days off for eligible faculty and staff:

• Eligibility: This applies to twelve-month faculty, Professional and Scientific (P&S) staff, Staff Nurses, Allied Health Professionals (SEIU), and Merit staff who accrue vacation. For employees working less than 40 hours per week, the two days (16 hours) will be prorated accordingly.
• Timing: Eligible employees will get one extra day added to their banked balance in early December and the other in late December.
• Using the days: These extra days can be used as regular vacation time, providing flexibility for both employees and departments.
• Accrued vacation balance: Faculty and staff who are eligible for vacation will receive these additional days as banked time.

Individuals must be actively employed on Nov. 26, 2025, to receive the first day and on Dec. 24, 2025 to receive the second.

If you have any questions, please reach out to your HR representative.

Please note this is a special addition of vacation hours and does not change current university practice regarding banking of vacation. Employees who are at their vacation maximum will also receive the hours, as these do not count toward an employee's vacation maximum.

Frequently asked questions

What if I've already reached my maximum vacation balance?

Vacation-eligible faculty and staff who have already reached their maximum vacation balance will still receive two extra days of paid leave as banked hours.

What are banked hours?

Banked hours are earned in excess of maximum vacation accruals. Banked hours and accrued hours are different even though they are both components of the vacation balance. Banked hours do not count against the maximum and are the last to be used after the employee's accrued hours have been depleted.

Who is eligible?

Vacation-eligible faculty and staff, including two-month faculty, Professional and Scientific (P&S) staff, Staff Nurses, Allied Health Professionals (SEIU), and Merit staff. Individuals must be actively employed on Nov. 26, 2025, to receive the first day and on Dec. 24, 2025, to receive the second.

Who isn't eligible?

Employees in temporary, on-call, or emergency roles, as well as students hired through the Office of Student Financial Aid and in student-specific positions, along with faculty on academic-year (9-month) appointments, do not qualify for vacation pay and therefore are not eligible for these additional days of paid leave.

When will I receive these additional days?

The first extra day will be added to banked balances in early December and the other in late December. Individuals must be actively employed on Nov. 26, 2025, to receive the first day and on Dec. 24, 2025, to receive the second.

Where will these hours appear in Employee Self-Service?

Banked hours are found under Time & Pay > Vacation & Sick Leave in Employee Self-Service. These extra days of paid leave will be added to your banked vacation balance and appear as banked hours using the 'IA' code in your Vacation/Sick Report.