UT System Human Resources > Benefits > Paid Leave

Paid Leave

Eligible employees enjoy 14 paid holidays and closings and accrue vacation and sick days each year. Bereavement, court, military and personal leave also are available.

Holidays

2024 Winter Break Extended

This year, we will be extending our 2024 winter break to include Dec. 30 and 31 as administrative closing days. This means that University of Tennessee Administration employees, as well as faculty and staff at our campuses and institutes, should not report as offices will be closed Dec. 23-31, except for essential operations and emergency services. If you are unsure if you meet the criteria for essential personnel, please consult your direct supervisor for guidance.

Please enjoy this opportunity to spend additional time with your loved ones and recharge for the new year.

Note that all UT System Administration employees will return to work Jan. 2, 2025. If you have questions or need additional clarification, please contact your direct supervisor or the UT System Office of Human Resources at  systemhr@tennessee.edu.

All regular UT employees in active pay status qualify for holiday pay for the following nine days:

Calendar Year 2024

  • Monday, Jan. 1 – New Year’s Day
  • Monday, Jan. 15 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
  • Friday, March 29 – Spring Holiday
  • Monday, May 27 – Memorial Day
  • Wednesday, June 19 – Juneteenth
  • Thursday, July 4 – Independence Day
  • Monday, Sept. 2 – Labor Day
  • Thursday and Friday, Nov. 28 and 29 – Thanksgiving
  • Monday, Dec. 23 through Tuesday, Dec. 31 – Winter Holiday

Calendar Year 2025

  • Wednesday, Jan. 1 – New Year’s Day
  • Monday, Jan. 20 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
  • Friday, April 18 – Spring Holiday
  • Monday, May 26 – Memorial Day
  • Thursday, June 19 – Juneteenth
  • Friday, July 4 – Independence Day
  • Monday, Sept. 1 – Labor Day
  • Thursday and Friday, Nov. 27 and 28 – Thanksgiving
  • Monday, Dec. 22 through Friday, Dec. 26 – Winter Holiday
Holiday Schedule  Holidays Policy

 

Administrative Closings

In addition to holidays, five days are designated as paid administrative closings, such as the Friday after Thanksgiving and during the week of Christmas.

Administrative Closings Policy

 

Annual Leave (Vacation)

Eligible regular employees earn between eight and 16 hours of annual leave a month and can accrue between 240 and 336 hours before excess hours roll to sick leave, depending on job type, percent of time worked and years of service. Eligibility and the rate of accrual for regular part-time employees is dependent upon hire date and percentage of time worked.

Annual Leave Policy

 

Sick Leave

Eligible regular full-time employees accrue 8 hours of sick leave a month. Eligibility and the rate of accrual for regular part-time employees is dependent upon hire date and percentage of time worked.

Sick Leave Policy

 

Additional Leave Policies