Amended date: 1/26/2021

The University recognizes the need for work/life balance and as such provides a comprehensive holiday and other types of university-paid time for all employees who meet benefit eligibility.  Additionally, the University provides up to two (2) additional paid personal days per year for eligible staff to celebrate alternative holidays.

Holidays and Holiday Pay

* When these days fall on a Sunday, the holiday will be observed on the following Monday; when they fall on a Saturday, the holiday will be observed on the previous Friday.

** When Christmas Eve and Christmas Day both fall on a weekday, employees will receive both days as holidays.

The University recognizes the right of employees to observe the holidays of their religion. At the employee's discretion, time taken for this reason may be considered vacation time, personal days, or absence without pay. Employees should discuss religious holidays with their supervisors well ahead of time, so that the supervisor can prepare for the employee’s absence from the workplace.

Holiday Pay

Regular, full-time employees receive pay for University holidays without any waiting period. Regular, part-time employees will receive pay only for the holidays which occur on the days they are regularly scheduled to work.

Non-exempt employees who are required to work on a holiday will be compensated at time and one-half for hours worked on that day. In addition, such employees will receive either another day off or a day's pay at the normal rate.

The policy on holiday scheduling and holiday pay may not be applicable to departments that operate on a six- or seven-day work schedule. You should consult your Department Head if you are employed in a unit with such shift assignments.

If you take an unexcused absence the day before or the day after a holiday, you will not receive pay for that holiday. Exceptions may be made for approved absences. If a University holiday falls during a leave of absence, the employee will not receive holiday pay.

President’s Bonus Days

In conjunction with established university holidays, the President of Tufts announces up to two (2) President’s bonus days, which are aligned with established university holidays to provide two additional long weekends every year. The bonus days will apply to all benefits-eligible Tufts staff. The provision of necessary services still requires some staff to work on these bonus days. Supervisors will be in touch with identified staff who need to come in that day and will determine whether another day can be taken.

President’s Bonus Day Pay

President’s Bonus Days are paid at straight time.  Essential non-exempt/hourly employees who are required to work will be paid time and a half with no equivalent day off and will be able to take an alternate day off at straight time. Employees with collective bargaining agreements should refer to those agreements for additional guidance.

Winter Break Days (Amended date: 10/15/20)

In addition to the paid days described above the University provides Winter Break days to align annually to the University’s established Holiday and President’s Bonus days that occur at the end of each calendar year.  Pay policies related to Winter Breaks are separate and distinct from other university paid time off and is outlined below. Regular, benefits-eligible employees receive pay for University Winter Break days without any waiting period.

Exempt staff employees who are required to work on Winter Break days will be able to use the equivalent time in full-day increments during the balance the Fiscal year with supervisor approval.  These days cannot be carried over. The policy on Winter Break days scheduling and Winter Break pay may not be applicable to departments that operate on a six- or seven-day work schedule. You should consult your Department Head if you are employed in a unit with such shift assignments.

Winter Break Pay

Essential union and non-exempt staff employees who are required to work on Winter Break days will be paid at time and a half and are not eligible for an equivalent day off.

Dining employees hired after April 3, 2019 and beyond will receive straight time pay for the days identified as Winter Break.

Regular, part-time employees will be paid Winter Break pay consistent with their regular pay schedule.

Eligibility Definitions:  

Staff: any benefits-eligible employee who has standard hours of 17.5 hours/week or more and is not otherwise covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

Related Links and Resources:

Collective bargaining agreements: https://access.tufts.edu/collective-bargaining-agreements 

Faculty: Faculty should refer to the handbook of their primary school affiliation for guidance.

Postdoctoral Scholars’ Handbook: https://viceprovost.tufts.edu/policies-forms-guides/postdoctoral-scholars-handbook

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This Holidays, Winter Break and Pay Policy  Statement is part of the HR Employee Policies and Procedures that can be found at here

Disclaimer: Changes to this policy and the handbook in which it is maintained may be made at any time, at the sole discretion of the University and is not a contract. Employment by the University is at will and either the employee or the University may end the employment relationship at any time.