Purdue ponders change in leave policy for employees

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) - Purdue University is proposing a change that would consolidate its leave policy for employees.

Purdue wants to form a new category called paid time off, rather than giving people separate vacation, personal and sick days, the Journal and Courier (http://on.jconline.com/1ATeFSL ) reports. The change would affect employees in faculty, management, administrative and professional roles.

Trenten Klingerman, interim vice president of human resources at Purdue, said the goal is to make the leave policy easier to understand. But the proposed policy appears to reduce benefits and available time off, according to Michael Fosmire, chairman of the faculty senate's Resources Policy Committee.

Employees who would be affected currently have 28 to 91 days of leave available, depending on years of service. The new policy would give employees 25 paid time-off days a year.

Fewer days off would be able to be carried over into a new year, and employees would no longer receive compensation for unused days when they leave Purdue.

The change appears to save Purdue money, Fosmire said. But he said it could do damage when trying to recruit new faculty members.

Purdue would also add short-term disability pay under the change. Employees who are seriously injured or ill would receive income protection.

The proposal has to go through two more university panels before it can be approved. Changes would take effect in July.

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Information from: Journal and Courier, http://www.jconline.com