Purdue holds off on leave policy changes after backlash

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) - Purdue University will wait to make potential changes to its leave policy after getting pushback from employees.

A proposed plan disclosed to employees last month would form a new category called paid time off, rather than give workers separate vacation, personal and sick days. The affected employees would get 25 paid time-off days a year, down from what's currently allotted.

Displeasure with the plan was voiced last week at a meeting organized by Purdue faculty. Concerns included the elimination of payouts for unused sick and vacation days when employees retire.

Vic Lechtenberg, special assistant to Purdue's president and chair of the school's Leaves Committee, said in a letter to employees that the committee would re-evaluate the plan. He said the number of paid time-off days would also be increased.