STATE OF DELAWARE
FLOATING HOLIDAY POLICY
July 1, 2009

In accordance with Section 56 of the Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Act:

• Effective July 1, 2009 employees will be eligible for two floating holidays per fiscal year.
• President’s Day and Columbus Day are no longer State of Delaware holidays and State offices will now be open for business on these days.
• Unused floating holidays will not carry forward from one fiscal year to the next.

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to establish consistent practices across State agencies with the implementation of floating holidays. A floating holiday will provide employees a paid leave day taken at a time chosen by the employee, and subject to approval consistent with other types of leave.

Policy

Beginning each fiscal year, employees on payroll as of June 30th shall receive two paid floating holidays that must be taken within the fiscal year. Employees who work a 37.5 hour schedule shall be entitled to 7.5 hours for each floating holiday and employees who work a 40 hour schedule shall be entitled to 8.0 hours for each floating holiday. For permanent part time employees the floating holidays shall be prorated based on the percent of full-time hours.

Employees hired on or after July 1 shall receive the following number of floating holidays based on their hire date:

1. It is recommended that floating holidays be used in whole day increments; partial day usage is at the agencies’ discretion.
2. Floating holidays are pro-rated time for benefit-eligible, part-time employees.
3. Employees must submit a request in advance following the same procedures used by the agency for requesting leave.
4. Employees will not be paid for unused floating holidays when they separate from employment.
5. Unused floating holidays will not carry forward from one fiscal year to the next. There are no exceptions to this rule.
6. Merit Rule 4.14 does not apply to floating holidays.
7. Floating holidays used to supplement short-term disability or worker's compensation will apply in whole day increments with no residual.
8. Floating holidays may not be donated to another employee.
9. Floating holidays are paid at straight time.
10. PHRST will be establishing codes for agencies that use Time and Labor and for those that do not for the purposes of entering and tracking this leave. More information on these codes will be forthcoming.

This policy is not intended to create any individual right or cause of action
not already existing and recognized under state or federal law.