Leave Benefits

Leave Benefits: Summary & Guidelines

I. Vacation (Annual) Leave

Eligibility: Vacation leave is accrued biweekly starting the first pay period of employment. 9-Month faculty are not eligible for annual leave.

A. Accrual Rates

1. Regular Nonexempt Employees
Hire date through End of Year 1
14 days (4.31 hours per pay period)
Start of Year 2 through End of Year 2
15 days (4.62 hours per pay period)
Start of Year 3 through End of Year 3
16 days (4.92 hours per pay period)
Start of Year 4 through End of Year 4
17 days (5.23 hours per pay period)
Start of Year 5 through End of Year 10
18 days (5.54 hours per pay period)
Start of Year 11 through End of Year 20
20 days (6.15 hours per pay period)
Starting in Year 21
25 days (7.69 hours per pay period)
2. Regular Exempt Staff & 12-Month Faculty
Hire date through End of Year 20
22 days (6.77 hours per pay period)
Starting in Year 21
25 days (7.69 hours per pay period)

B. Carryover (Year-End) Guidelines

Staff (Exempt & Nonexempt):
  • Maximum: 60 workdays (480 hours) may be carried into a new calendar year.
  • Pro-rated for part-time exempt staff working 50% or more.
12-Month Faculty

Automatic Carryover

  • Librarians & Dept. Chairpersons
  • Academic Program Directors
  • Center Directors
  • Directors of Scholars’ Programs
  • Faculty stepping down from administrative appointments

By Written Request Only

  • Clinical Faculty
  • 12-Month Faculty at Shady Grove
  • Research Faculty
  • Sponsored Research Appointments

II. Sick Leave

Sick leave accrues biweekly starting the first pay period. There is no maximum accumulation for sick leave.

Regular Staff & 12-Month Faculty

15 days (4.62 hours per pay period)

9-Month Faculty

12.50 days (4.55 hours per pay period)

III. Personal Leave

  • Accrual: 3 Days (24 Hours) per year for Exempt, Nonexempt, and 12-month faculty.
  • Granted annually at the beginning of each calendar year.
  • Exclusion: 9-Month faculty are not eligible.
  • “Use It or Lose It”: Unused personal leave does not carry over.

IV. Holiday Leave

  • Allocation: 15 paid holidays per year (16 in election years).
  • Carryover Policy: Holiday leave balance resets to zero at the start of the first full pay period of the new year.
  • Exceptions: Employees may request carryover if mandated work schedules prevent observance.

V. Family Medical Leave (FMLA)

Employees are entitled to up to 12 weeks of leave with job protection.

Note on Policy Links

Official USM Regents Bylaws: