Time Accrual & Usage for AFT professional staff employees

Hours worked and eligible leave types vary based on job and employee types. This page serves as a resource for understanding time accrual and usage for AFT professional staff employees. Many of the rules and standards for time and attendance for AFT professional staff employees have been locally negotiated by the ��Ƶ Federation of Teachers (SFT). Please note, when possible, specifics are shared on this page, however employees should always confirm with the Office of Human Resources if they have specific questions about earned and available time off.

Types of Leave Time

Vacation

AFT professional staff employees earn 22 vacation days per calendar year (prorated in the first calendar year of employment and prorated for 10-month or part-time employees). Please refer to the Earned Time Chart for more information. AFT professional staff employees may carry over one year’s worth of vacation into the next calendar year; anything in excess of that would show in the "Use or Lose" column in and must be used by the pay period which includes December 31.

All vacation leave must be preapproved, and should be taken during the calendar year at such time as permitted or directed by the supervisor, unless the supervisor determines that it cannot be taken due to significant work demands.

Sick

All 12-month AFT professional staff employees earn 15 sick days per year (prorated for the first calendar year of employment and prorated for 10-month or part-time employees). Please refer to the Earned Time Chart for more information. Sick leave accrual never expires and all employees are encouraged to build their sick leave bank.

Compensatory Time

AFT professional staff employees can receive compensatory time on an hour for hour basis. Please refer to the Overtime and Compensatory Time Eligibility Chart for specifics on eligibility, accrual, and use of compensatory time.

In all cases, no compensatory time may be earned without prior approval of the division executive or their designee.

Permanent part-time employees annual leave accruals are prorated based on the percentage of the position (i.e. 50%, 60%, 75%, etc.).

AFT professional staff employees are not eligible for personal/administrative days or overtime earnings.

FAQ's

When is time off available to use?

Vacation and sick leave are earned monthly, but the full year’s accrual is credited at the beginning of January, in anticipation of continued employment for the full year. New AFT professional staff employees’ leave balances are credited from their first day of work through the end of the calendar year. AFT professional staff employees may use time before it is earned, however, if they separate from employment during the calendar year the dollar amount of any unearned used time would be owed back to the University.

How do I request time off?

AFT professional staff employees must use the to request and get approval for any and all time off they plan to use. Every effort should be made to submit the Time Accrual/Leave Request form before the time is taken.

How is time off tracked and recorded?

All AFT professional staff employees must submit a bi-weekly timesheet documenting all time taken or earned outside of normal scheduled hours (exception time). Departments use either Web Time Entry through or timeclock software to submit time. AFT professional staff employees should consult with their specific office or department to understand how timesheets are managed and submitted for their specific area. AFT professional staff employees should consult their current union contract to view max number of compensatory hours that can be carried.

Does leave time expire?

Sick leave accrual never expires and all employees are encouraged to build their sick leave bank. Only one year's worth of vacation accrual can carry into the next calendar year. Refer to the Leave details in to see "Use or Lose" time for all leave types.

Is leave time paid out at separation?

If an AFT professional employee separates from the University, earned vacation time is paid out. Earned sick leave and earned compensatory time are not eligible for payout. Employees who have a Paid Leave Bank balance from a prior furlough program will receive those hours in their final pay.

If an AFT professional staff employee retires from a New Jersey state pension system, earned vacation time is paid out to the Retiree Leave 403b Plan. Sick leave is also payable to the Retiree Leave 403b Plan under the provisions of the . Earned compensatory time is not eligible for payout.