Penn State President Rodney Erickson has announced that the University will be closed on Friday, Nov. 23, the day after the Thanksgiving holiday.
"As we take time to give thanks for the good things in our lives, I want to extend a special thank you to our faculty and staff," Erickson said. "They have shown outstanding, sincere dedication to Penn State throughout the challenges of the past year; many have worked longer days and have sacrificed time with loved ones. Thanks to their commitment, the University continues to make a broad and important impact, educating the world's next generation of leaders, making discoveries that will benefit all of society and serving communities across Pennsylvania."
Thanksgiving Friday will be a closedown day. Please note that this is not a "holiday," so provisions for premium pay, etc., do not apply.
Human Resources Guideline HRG10, "Handling 'Weather Day' Absences or Official University Closedowns Due to Weather Conditions," provides the needed guidance for staff and technical-service employees. Therefore, 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.
-- Full-time staff and technical-service employees whose regular day off falls on Thanksgiving Friday will receive an additional day of equivalent time off to be scheduled at another time mutually agreeable to the employee and the supervisor. Although this represents an expansion of the benefit provided for in the guideline, it is in keeping with the intention of the provision of this unique benefit.
"Our faculty and staff are critical to all that we do and most importantly, our ability to serve students," Erickson added. "I am thankful for their resilience and commitment every day."
For more information, contact your human resources representative.