Purdue to hold off on changes to employee leave policy

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) - Proposed changes to the employee leave policy at Purdue University will wait at least another year.

The initial proposal announced to employees last month would create a new category called paid time off, rather than designate separate vacation, personal and sick days for workers.

The affected employees would have received fewer days under initial plans, and fewer days would have been able to be carried over into a new year. Employees also would not have been compensated for unused sick and vacation days when they retire.

The plan drew backlash from employees. The Journal and Courier (http://on.jconline.com/1B0qYGD ) reports William Sullivan, Purdue treasurer and chief financial officer, told employees in a letter Monday that the school would hold off on changes and gather more feedback.

Sullivan made the announcement after meeting with employees last week, when the school had said it would delay changes indefinitely. He said in a news release that the school wants to provide a "clear, easily administered policy," and that feedback provided insights.

"It is clear that we need to involve a broader base of our employees in the discussion and analysis, and ultimately, if changes are recommended, we need a substantially broader socialization effort," Sullivan said.

The year delay is "an ideal outcome," said Patricia Hart, president of the Purdue faculty senate.

"We feel confident that the treasurer's initiatives will build trust, and that we will work out something that will give the best possible results for the staff, the faculty, and the university as a whole," she said.

Focus groups will continue to be held at Purdue campus in the next two weeks, Sullivan said.

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