Open Forum

It is very common for accruals to not start right away. I have had one that was 60 days. Other times, you can accrue, but not use, leave during that period. I don't think they're wrong to suggest such. 

My museum's leave policy is kind of weird. We get all our leave for the year, based on the number of hours worked the year past, on January 1. Those who didn't start until late in the year sometimes only have one day of leave for the entire next 12 months...so they work 13 months, if they started in Dec, before receiving their standard benefit. I wouldn't suggest that to anyone!

Granted I work for state government and not a regular 501(c)3, but our leave starts accruing right from the first day and is available on our first paycheck.  As an employee I appreciate that because it can take a long time for a significant amount of leave to accrue, especially when you're just starting out at an organization and you're at the bottom tier as far as the amount of leave you earn per paycheck.  It took 3-4 months before I was done crossing my fingers and hoping I didn't come down with the flu, so the sooner that gets started, the better.

Those are my thoughts.  I hope you're able to find a solution that works for everyone!

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Geoffrey Woodcox
Assistant Curator of Collections
State Historical Society of North Dakota
Bismarck ND

We have just updated our policy.  We reviewed several policies shared with us by AAM based on budget/comparable museums.  We also have an HR professional on our board who allowed us to review her organization's policy.  She has also been on the board of another non-profit organization who allowed her to share their policy with us for review. With all of that information, our board approved the following for full time staff members.  Also, we have added graduated amounts based on years of service.  We felt a good vacation, sick leave and holiday package would be an important aspect for recruitment and maintaining good staff. 

Accrue monthly starting at first day of employment.
Eligible to take starting at 6 month anniversary.
If your employment ends prior to 6 months, no vacation time will be paid.

To determine how our organization compares to yours for feasibility, here is some information about our organization. We are a non-profit 501(c)3 organization.  We just completed our 2nd year of operations.  Budget is approximately $400,000 per year.  Staff varies from 2-3 Full time staff, 2 part-time professional staff (bookeeper, guest services manager) and 2 part-time (guest services, administration).  We are located in a more rural community though we are bulls eye between Charlotte, NC, Greenville, SC and Asheville, NC. 

Hope this is helpful. 

Warm regards,

Emily

Accrual of PTO starts from day one and there are no restrictions on when the time can be used.  Additionally, sick and vacation time is not segregated.  We have PTO that can be used at the employee's discretion.  In every way, I appreciate the maximum flexibility that this policy affords the employees of our organization.  

Our time off policies begin to accrue immediately and employees do not have a waiting period before they can use them. We do not allow them to go negative.

That being said, be sure to consult with HR as there may be state and/or local laws that have specific requirements.