Winter Break FAQs
KU will provide eligible employees paid leave on December 26 – December 31 with an alternate time period for those units performing essential functions (i.e., security, operations, etc.) that are unable to have their area closed during this time period. We appreciate the contributions that our employees make every day, and it is our sincere hope that this time away will provide an opportunity for rest and rejuvenation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Campus will be closed Dec. 25 – Jan. 1, 2026. December 25 and January 1 will be paid holidays for all eligible employees.
The designated paid leave period for eligible employees is Dec. 26-31, 2025.
An alternate time period of Dec. 15-24 has been identified for units that perform essential functions (e.g., facilities operations, animal care, etc.) and are unable to have all employees out at once. This alternative period should allow the flexibility to split staff between the two weeks if necessary. These units may allow a small number of employees to use up to 4 days during the alternate time period. It is strongly encouraged to have the days of paid leave be consecutive.
Some employees are not eligible:
• Employees on unpaid leave
• Employees on furlough
• Temporary hourly students and staff
• Affiliated corporation employees (not paid by KU)
No. Allowing employees to choose compensatory time instead of time off would increase the liability cost. No compensatory time or additional pay is allowable for those who do not take the time. Supervisors should make every effort to allow eligible employees the time off.
Yes, with supervisory approval. In addition to the extra paid leave, we encourage employees to take vacation or other personal paid leave to refresh and re-energize.
- For time either worked or recorded as the paid leave time through Dec. 20, it must be entered in HR/Pay by Saturday, Dec. 20 and approved by noon on Monday, Dec. 22.
- For time either worked or recorded as the paid leave time from Dec. 21 through Jan. 3, it must be entered in HR/Pay by Saturday, Jan 3 and approved by 5 p.m. on Monday Jan. 5.
If an employee’s time and absences are not entered and/or the supervisor does not approve by the corresponding deadlines above, the employee may have a minimum two-week delay in pay. KUEA will also have reduced hours, and it will not be possible for the Payroll Office to make a request for late pay. It will be especially important for time and absences to be submitted at the end of each work week and approved by the deadlines.
Yes, these employees would be eligible.
We encourage units to allow their students to have this time off however, if hourly students need to work, they should first get supervisor approval and then report hours as normal.
No, employees need to add this code to their timesheet in order to be paid.
The employee needs to remove the WTRBK reporting code from their timesheet and enter the correct code. Once this is done, their supervisor will have negative hours showing up in their Approvals which just indicates they approve of the change.
Questions?: Please contact Human Resources at hrdept@ku.edu or 785-864-4946.