Discretionary time off
Last updated: March 11, 2025
This page applies to all employees in regular and fixed term Professional Staff positions and employees in regular positions represented by SAG-AFTRA and SEIU 925 Libraries.
Discretionary time off is paid time off awarded to eligible employees for noteworthy achievements or efforts that contribute to the unit’s mission, goals, or objectives.
Department or division heads may award up to six days of discretionary time off per calendar year per employee.
Once awarded, discretionary time off:
- may be taken in partial or full days of time off work.
- must be used before vacation time off.
- may not be donated as shared leave.
- may only be used while the employee works in the unit that awarded it.
Expiration of discretionary time off
Discretionary time off must be used by March 31 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which it was awarded. Discretionary time off from the prior calendar year that is not used by the March 31 deadline will be forfeited and deducted from the employee’s time off record. The March 31 deadline for discretionary time off use cannot be extended under any circumstances. Discretionary time off has no cash value if unused and cannot be paid.
Unused discretionary time off is lost when an employee moves to a different organizational unit or when an employee leaves University employment.
The UW Professional Staff Program offers details about awarding and using discretionary time off. Eligible represented employees should refer to their respective collective bargaining agreements for information about awarding and using discretionary time off.