Office of Human Resources

Personal Observance Leave Summary and Key Provisions

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Pursuant to Governor Cooper’s Executive Order 262 (“Employee Leave to Recognize a Day of Cultural, Religious, or Personal Significance”), UNC System President Hans has authorized the Chancellors of the UNC constituent institutions to provide paid Personal Observance Leave to eligible employees following the rules provided in the executive order and the corresponding Office of State Human Resources policy.

Appalachian is committed to reasonably accommodate religious beliefs or practices. The Office of Access & Equity: Equal Opportunity (EO) is the designated office to navigate such requests.


 Eligibility and Key Policy Provisions

  • Eight hours of paid leave is available to leave-earning employees annually on a calendar-year basis.
  • The leave can be used for any single day of personal significance, which includes, but is not limited to, days of cultural or religious importance.
  • Probationary, time-limited, and permanent employees are eligible for this leave. Temporary employees are not eligible.
  • The leave is prorated for leave-earning part-time employees.
  • New employees hired after the date of implementation of this policy are also eligible.
  • The eight hours of leave must be used in one work shift.
  • Consistent with other types of leave, supervisory approval is required before employees may use the leave and the leave should be scheduled in advance.
  • Supervisors are encouraged to accommodate employee requests for use of this leave.
  • If unused, this leave is not paid out upon separation from employment.
  • If unused within a given calendar year, the leave for that year expires and is not paid out.
  • If an employee transfers from one participating institution to another, this leave will transfer.

Procedures

  • Leave-earning employees are able use the leave immediately and report it on their regular time sheets or leave reports using leave code POL (Personal Observance Leave).

Additional Resources