Georgetown University revised its staff benefits policy May 12, allowing staff members to retain paid time off (PTO) days after nearly 500 community members denounced the change that would have limited PTO.
The original May 7 announcement for PTO would have transitioned staff members from the current accrual model, where staff could retain accumulated PTO, to an allotment model, where PTO expires at the end of each year, which would have started July 1 and cancelled any already accrued PTO. The revised plan allows staff members to use already accrued PTO until June 30, 2027, while still transitioning to the allotment model for PTO earned after July 1, 2025, which does not carry over between fiscal years.
Charles DeSantis, the university’s chief benefits officer and associate vice president of university benefits and wellness, said in an email to staff that the revised policy aims to meet the needs of the university and staff.
“This ensures that staff do not lose access to newly granted time, to be used on an annual basis, while still preserving the opportunity to use previously earned accrued leave,” DeSantis said in the email. “We recognize the realities that not every employee will find it feasible to take all of these hours in one year, though they’re available for use.”
The revision comes three days after 490 Georgetown community members launched and signed an open letter criticizing the May 7 allotment model.
The open letter said the university was devaluing its employees and contradicting its Jesuit values.
“Georgetown’s Jesuit mission calls for cura personalis — care for the whole person,” the letter reads. “If the University is serious about that principle, it must not treat accrued PTO as a funding source for the new system and honor the time employees have rightfully earned.”
DeSantis said the university did not intend to reduce employee benefits with its policy change.
“The move from an accrual-based PTO model to an annual allotment was never about reducing the opportunity to take time away from work,” DeSantis said. “Rather, it reflects our responsibility to address the university’s growing liability from large unused leave balances and to encourage employees to regularly take time away to rest and recharge. Managers receive quarterly reminders to support this goal by actively encouraging staff to use PTO.”
DeSantis said larger challenges to higher education forced the university to be abrupt with the changes.
“While this change has been under thoughtful consideration for some time with a more gradual rollout originally envisioned, the current challenges facing higher education have required us to act with greater urgency,” DeSantis said.
The PTO changes came amid a previous change instituting a temporary hiring freeze and pause on merit salary increases until Dec. 31 as a response to reductions in federal financial support.
The email to staff also included information for Q&A forums for staff members to ask questions and address concerns throughout the next week.
DeSantis said the university values staff members’ concerns.
“It pains me to see that this change has caused distress in our community,” DeSantis said. “Please know that we valued your input and we remain committed to a fair, transparent, and supportive implementation. Thank you again for the care and courage you’ve shown in sharing your perspectives.”