UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — For the past serval years, Penn State employees have benefited from the University president’s annual decision to provide a close-down day on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Now, President Eric Barron has made the annual observance permanent, determining the Friday after the Thanksgiving holiday will be considered a close-down day from this point forward for Penn State faculty and staff.
“This day off was granted in the past as a way to thank Penn State employees for their exceptional contributions and service to our University,” said Barron. “I’d now like to make a larger statement about the appreciation we have for the year-round work of our faculty and staff. This more permanent gesture should allow our employees to plan better and to take extra time to enjoy their family and friends.
“Thank you — to all employees — for your outstanding work on behalf of Penn State,” Barron said.
This year, the Thanksgiving holiday will be observed on Thursday, Nov. 24, and Friday, Nov. 25, will be considered a close-down day. It will not be considered a “holiday,” so provisions for premium pay and the like do not apply.
In general, the following will apply:
- Employees who normally work Fridays and are not required to work, including wage payroll employees who are eligible for earned time, will receive pay for the day as if they had worked.
- Employees who had previously scheduled a vacation day or other paid time off will not have such time charged.
- Employees who are required to work Thanksgiving Friday, including wage payroll employees who are eligible for earned time, will receive time off equivalent to the number of hours worked.
Benefits, such as paid time off, are mandatory subjects of bargaining for the University’s represented employees. Human Resources’ Labor and Employee Relations Division will provide unit human resources representatives with further information regarding the applicability of this close-down day to represented employees.