Dear Members of the Georgetown Community,
In consideration of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the university has made temporary changes to how employees use and accumulate paid time off (PTO).
COVID-19 Temporary PTO Accrual Cap Increase
Retroactive to April 1, 2020, the university has temporarily lifted the cap on PTO accrual for all staff and AAPs under the COVID-19 Temporary PTO Accrual Cap Increase. As mentioned at the most recent virtual Staff/AAP forums, this decision will afford employees greater flexibility in the use of time away from work. Eligible employees may accrue PTO at standard rates beyond the cap through July 31, 2020.
The cap will resume on August 1, 2020. At that time, employees with accrued PTO at or above the applicable cap—as described within HR Policies 602 for staff and 612 for AAPs—will no longer be able to accrue additional PTO until they use enough of their accrued time so that the bank drops to or below the applicable cap. Employees will have their full, accrued allotment of PTO available for use so long as they are employed at Georgetown.
Upon separation, eligible staff and AAPs will be paid for accrued PTO up to the cap number. Compensation will not be provided for any accrued time provided under this COVID-19 Temporary PTO Accrual Cap Increase that is in excess of the cap.
COVID-19 PTO Donation Program
In addition to temporarily lifting the cap on PTO accrual, the university is launching the COVID-19 PTO Donation Program, in effect through the end of this public health emergency. Under this program, all eligible employees will be allowed to donate paid time off from their accrued, unused regular PTO balance to a shared pool available to their co-workers in need of additional paid time off. Participation in this program is voluntary.
Employees who have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, such that it has caused severe hardship to the employee or to a family member, thereby requiring the employee to be absent from work, can request the use of COVID-19 Donated PTO. Employees can donate or request PTO using the “Time Off” function in GMS beginning Friday, May 15 at 5 p.m.
With these new resources, we hope to ease the burden for staff and AAPs experiencing hardship during this difficult time. We thank you all again for your service and adaptability, and we are especially grateful for your continued support for our community.
Be well,
Charles DeSantis
Interim Vice President of Human Resources Chief Human Resources Officer