TSTC Vacation Accrual and Maximum Carry-Forward 

Sick Leave provides eligible employees with up to 8 hours of accrued leave each month for their own illness or injury, medical appointments, or to care for an eligible family member. Unused sick leave carries forward from year to year, allowing employees to maintain a balance for future needs.

Employees may be granted emergency leave following the death of an immediate family member. Additional time may be considered and approved under special circumstances to allow employees time to attend services, make arrangements, and address related responsibilities. Per Texas State Statute, eligible family members include:

• Spouse

• Parents and spouse’s parents

• Children

• Brothers and sisters

• Grandparents

• Grandchildren

TSTC supports employees who serve in the National Guard or Reserves by providing military leave in accordance with state and federal law.

Active Duty (National Guard or Reserves)
Employees are entitled to a leave of absence without loss of vacation time or salary.

• Paid military leave may not exceed 15 working days in any federal fiscal year.

• Employees should provide a copy of their official orders in advance, unless prevented by military necessity or other reasonable circumstances.

National Emergency (Reserve Branch of U.S. Armed Forces)
Employees called to active duty during a national emergency are entitled to a leave of absence without pay. During this period, employees will:

• Continue to accrue state service credit.

• Not accrue vacation or sick leave, but will retain any time already accrued.

• Resume accrual of vacation and sick leave upon return to work.

• Official military orders must be provided with the leave request.

For additional details, contact the Human Resources Office or refer to SOS HR 2.3.12 Employee Leaves and Holidays for more information.

Employees who are veterans may use this paid leave for medical visits related to received medical or mental health care (including physical rehabilitation) administered by the Veterans Health Administration of the US Department of Veterans Affairs. When submitting a request for this time, employees must submit VA documentation for the visit.

TSTC recognizes the civic responsibility of serving on a jury and supports employees in fulfilling this obligation. Employees will be granted time away from work as required by law to serve on a jury. Employees must submit an absence request in Workday and provide a copy of the court order or jury summons to Human Resources by attaching it to the absence request.

The number of holidays is established by the Texas Legislature. Each year, the TSTC Board of Regents approves the holiday schedule for employees, which is designed to align with the academic calendar. Most holidays are concentrated at the end of the calendar year. Employees can find this holiday calendar in the portal under Human Resources, under benefits.

All full-time employees are eligible for up to four consecutive hours of leave to celebrate either their birthday or their work anniversary. This leave may be used once per calendar year and can be taken the month before, during or after the month of either the birthday or anniversary date.

Employees may be allowed time off to vote in national, state, and local elections. If they do not have sufficient time to vote on their own, they should notify their supervisor before the election day. State law does not differentiate between regular and runoff elections.

Employees may be allowed time off to vote in national, state, and local elections. If they do not have sufficient time to vote on their own, they should notify their supervisor before the election day. State law does not differentiate between regular and runoff elections.

Administrative leave with pay may be granted at the discretion of an employee’s leadership chain. Requests for two or more unearned paid administrative leaves within a 12-month period must receive approval of the Chancellor. Employees may request paid administrative leave to participate in work-related activities such as training, conferences, or grant selection committees. These requests generally should not exceed five working days.

For additional information on leaves, please refer to SOS HR 2.3.12 Employee Leaves and Holidays. 

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allows for eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks (480 hours) of unpaid, job-protected leave during a rolling 12-month period. FMLA may be used for qualifying reasons, including the employee’s own serious health condition, caring for a spouse, child, or parent with a serious health condition, or for the birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child.

Employees must meet specific eligibility requirements. Contact Human Resources hrservicecenter@tstc.edu to discuss eligibility and available leave options. 

Eligible employees may take parental leave following the birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child. Eligibility and leave provisions may vary based on applicable laws, including FMLA and Texas Government Code Chapter 661.

Employees should contact Human Resources at hrservicecenter@tstc.edu to discuss eligibility and available leave options.

TSTC may grant an unpaid personal leave of absence in certain circumstances when an employee is not eligible for other types of leave. Personal leave may be considered for reasons such as extended illness, temporary disability, recovery from an accident, or other justifiable circumstances.

Requests are subject to review and approval by leadership and Human Resources. Employees should contact Human Resources hrservicecenter@tstc.edu for eligibility requirements and the request process.