A Flexible Schedule Makes a Great Summer

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 10, 2010) – The University of Kentucky is committed to an ongoing effort to provide flexible work arrangements to its employees.

The Reduced Seasonal Hours Program is part of that flexibility, a way employees can request a modified work schedule or unpaid leave during the spring and summer months.

A flexible work option allows employees to enjoy more time for family or personal interests.  Participating employees may request a reduced work schedule or leave without pay in weekly increments for all or a portion of the seasonal hours period, May 9 through Aug. 14.

Regular full-time staff members may request one of two options for reducing their hours – with a proportional reduction in pay, leave accruals, retirement contributions and other applicable benefits.

1) Employees with a full-time equivalent (FTE) greater than 0.75 may request a temporary reduced work schedule to no less than 0.75 FTE. For example: a 40-hour-per-week employee may request a maximum weekly reduction of 10 hours or a 37.5-hour-per-week employee may request a maximum weekly reduction of 9.5 hours.

 2) Employees with an FTE of 0.75 or greater may request leave without pay. Leave without pay under the Reduced Summer Hours Program must be taken in full-week increments.

Requests and approvals for reduced summer hours will take place within each department. Interested employees should complete the following steps to apply:

1) Review eligibility, application and approval process guidelines

2) Complete the summer hours request form.

3) Obtain approvals from the appropriate unit leader(s) and process through area business officer or administrator. Department representatives should mail the completed approval form to the Work-Life Office at 106 Scovell Hall, 40506-0064.

Naturally, there may be instances in which reducing hours is not practical or appropriate. Departments have the sole authority to approve or decline requests for reduced summer hours. 

For more information about the voluntary Reduced Summer Hours Program, contact the Office of Work-Life at (859) 257-8763. To view the program guidelines, application form and answers to Frequently Asked Questions, visit http://www.uky.edu/HR/WorkLife/ReducedSeasonalHours.html.