Time Away & Leave

At UF, we value hard work, but we also recognize the importance of taking time for yourself, your family and your friends.

Time to recharge is crucial for maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Here’s an overview of the various forms of time off available to UF employees. For detailed and up-to-date information, please visit the UF Time Away webpage.

 Vacation Leave

TEAMS employees accrue vacation leave over the year. For more details on accrual rates and usage, refer to the Benefits webpage on Vacation Leave.

Submit vacation leave requests to your supervisor as early as possible, as approval is at their discretion. Be sure to follow your department’s guidelines for advance notice.

Upon leaving UF, eligible employees may cash out unused vacation hours, subject to the maximum allowable for their pay plan. For more information, visit the Leave Cash-out Eligibility webpage.

 Sick Leave

Sick leave is available when you or an immediate family member is ill. Think of it as a safety net to cover your pay during such times. Additional information on sick leave is available online.

UF offers a Sick Leave Pool (SLP) managed by a committee. By joining, you donate eight hours of your own sick leave to the pool, which can be drawn upon if you face a serious health issue and exhaust your leave balances. Details and forms are available online.

 Reporting Time

UF is committed to maintaining accurate records of all hours worked and approved leave taken by employees, as required by law. This is achieved through the timely and accurate recording of time worked in the myUFL system. For non-exempt (hourly) employees, it’s crucial to log the actual start and stop times for each workday. This practice is not only a UF policy but also a federal requirement, making precise record-keeping essential.

Note to Hourly (Non-Exempt) Employees Regarding Off-Hours Work

When you’re off-duty, you should avoid checking work emails, sending or reading work-related text messages, or performing any other work tasks unless instructed by your supervisor. If you do engage in these activities, you must record that time, as it counts as work for which you should be compensated. If you have concerns about what you’re being asked to do outside of your scheduled hours or if you believe you’re not being paid for time worked, discuss this with your supervisor. If you feel uncomfortable doing so, you can contact your local HR liaison, your Employee Relations Satellite office, or UFHR Employee Relations at (352) 392-1072 or EmployeeRelations@hr.ufl.edu. UF takes wage and hour issues seriously and is committed to ensuring fair treatment for all employees.

 Pro Tip:

If you are an hourly employee and you do not have an automated process for clocking in and out (i.e., you have to manually record your time), do not round up or down your time. Record your actual time in and time out. If you ever have questions about recording your time, talk to your supervisor.

 UF Holidays

TEAMS employees enjoy 11 paid holidays each year, allowing for well-deserved breaks throughout the year.

 TEAMS December Personal Leave

TEAMS employees receive four personal leave days (32 hours for full-time status) annually to cover the university’s holiday closing period. If you are required to work during this time, such as if you’re designated as “Essential Personnel,” you can use these personal leave days at another time before the fiscal year ends. Discuss the specifics with your supervisor.

 Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

UF adheres to the FMLA, offering eligible employees up to 12 workweeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year for specific reasons, such as the birth or adoption of a child, caring for a family member with a serious health condition, or dealing with your own serious health condition. More details are available online.

 Paid Family Leave

The Paid Family Leave program provides 8 weeks of leave over a 24-month period for qualifying events. This can be used for personal medical issues, caring for a family member’s serious health condition, or the birth, adoption or fostering of a child. This leave may count towards your FMLA entitlement.

 Parental Leave and Lactation Rooms

UF provides up to six months of parental leave for eligible employees following the birth, adoption or fostering of a child. This leave can be paid (using accrued leave), unpaid or a combination. Nursing mothers can also access lactation rooms across campus. Visit the UF Lactation Policy webpage for more information.

 Administrative Leave

Administrative leave may be granted for various reasons, such as severe weather or when an employee is under investigation. This leave can be paid or unpaid, depending on the circumstances. Employees on paid administrative leave are required to be available during regular work hours.

 Other Types of Administrative Leave

UF offers additional administrative leaves, including bereavement leave, jury duty and court appearances, military leave, and domestic violence leave. For comprehensive information, visit the UFHR Benefits webpage dedicated to Other Types of Leave.