Time Off Advisory

Members are asking questions about taking vacation and the five bonus personal days for this year.

2020-21 Vacation

You have until April 15 to use any remaining vacation time from last year. Our vacation period runs from April 15 through April 14. If you don’t use it, you lose it.

Many members have not taken their vacation saying they had nowhere to go. PLEASE take your vacation if you have not done so. You have until April 14 to take it.

US Personal 2020

The Hearst Corp. proposed five additional personal days for anyone who met the criteria and was on the payroll as of Dec. 31, 2020. The Guild agreed to this. You will see at the bottom of the list of various times off on your time card US PERSONAL 2020. For full-time employees you will see 37.5 hours. Fill out the time card just as you would for vacation or regular personal or make-up time by putting in the hour amount.

This time will not be paid if you leave before taking it. You should take it first after exhausting any vacation time left over from last year. These five bonus days must be used by the end of the year

Regular Personal Time

We all received our regular allotment of two personal days as of Jan. 1. They must be used by the end of the year and will be paid if you leave the Times Union.

2021-22 Vacation Scheduling

It’s nearly time to think about scheduling vacation (Contract Section 16, pages 35 to 37) for the upcoming vacation period beginning April 15. Here are some key dates:

• Feb. 15 — Company must notify you of your available vacation time.
• Feb. 25 — You must notify the company of your vacation selection in writing.
• March 5 — The company will prepare and post the vacation schedule.

Any questions or issues please contact a Guild officer, steward or the office.