Sent: 2021-10-20
From: EIU
To: Various Recipients
Subject: 2021 Holiday Information
Good morning!
The university will be closed in observance of Christmas and New Year's on Eastern's four official holidays: Friday, December 24 and Monday, December 27; Friday, December 31, 2021 and Monday, January 3, 2022. Please note all offices must remain open following fall graduation, December 20 up to and including December 23.
In addition, this year, President Glassman has approved an extension of the Christmas Holidays offered to all benefit eligible employees. The University has designated December 28 as a “gift” day. Employees will not have to use their own leave time for this day. Essential employees of the University will still be required to work on the gift day. Vice-Presidents and/or Directors will identify those areas/employees deemed essential for University operations. An employee(s) identified as “essential” will be allowed to flex the gift day at another time, but must use that time by March 31, 2022. FAQ’s regarding the Gift day may be found at: https://www.eiu.edu/humanres/benefits/ .
Employees who are in probationary status will be allowed to use any available accrued leave or take leave without pay during this time. Probationary employees who wish to use accrued leave during the holiday period must complete the Civil Service Employee Request for Accrued Leave During Probation form available here. Supervisors are encouraged to approve such time-off requests unless the employment is required for essential duties during that period. Should an employee choose to take leave without pay, please note that accrued leave, sick leave and service credit will not be earned.
Please note that the following eligibility rules apply for holiday compensation. Employees must be in an approved pay status, with or without pay, on the last scheduled work day before the holiday and the first scheduled work day following the holiday in order to receive holiday pay. Employees who are subject to the provisions of a prevailing-rate area agreement or a collective bargaining agreement will be paid according to the terms of the respective agreement.
Time reporting codes have previously been created for use on time sheets and leave reports. If you do not have to work on December 28, please report it under University Gift Day – Non-work.
