Have yourself a healthy and happy holiday season

Though recent summer-like temperatures and tropical storms are no indication, the holidays are just around the corner. As you make plans for both the Thanksgiving and December holidays, please be sure to make time to get tested in the event you must travel or if you need to entertain others. You can schedule a test at any time by logging into One.UF.edu and completing a screening questionnaire. Find additional guidance on how to have a healthy holiday on the UF Health Screen, Test & Protect website.

In keeping with past practice, the University of Florida will be closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 26 and 27, for the Thanksgiving holiday. While classes are not held on Wednesday, Nov. 25, UF will remain open. Please note that testing will not be available Thursday, Nov. 26 through Monday, Nov. 30.

In addition to the November holidays, observance of other official holidays during this season will occur on Dec. 24 (Homecoming, observed), Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.  UF also will be closed for the holiday period of Dec. 26 through 31. The holiday closing period is designed to offer departments the flexibility to close or significantly reduce staffing during the holiday season.

Non-essential TEAMS and Academic Personnel are eligible for four personal leave days per year (32 hours assuming full-time status) to be used during the period of Dec. 26 to 31. Personal leave days are intended to enable units to close during this period if possible, though certain units will need to remain open.

Employees who will be required to work during the Dec. 26—31 period due to the nature of their job are considered “essential” and may use their personal leave days in any increment (at their department’s discretion) from Dec. 2, 2020, through June 30, 2021.

USPS employees are not eligible for the four personal leave days in December and may be required to use vacation or accrued compensatory leave during the holiday closing period if their department is closed.

Departments with OPS staff may adjust work schedules either before or after the holiday break to allow OPS staff to make up work time as needed if units are closed.

Be sure to speak with your supervisor about any anticipated time off you are planning and to learn about needed coverage around the holidays for your unit. You can also learn more by visiting the UFHR Benefits website and by contacting UF Central Leave with any questions.