Purdue gives extra days off to staff for winter holidays
Purdue President Mitch Daniels on Wednesday (Nov. 4) announced that employees will be given an added two days off during winter break as thanks for their outstanding effort during the past months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“There has been nothing easy about this year and our faculty, staff and students have stepped up and delivered,” Daniels said. “Our hope is that these extra days off at the holidays will give everyone a chance to recharge and enjoy time at home with their families at the end of this uniquely difficult year.”
In an email message to Purdue employees, below, Daniels said Purdue’s last day of non-essential operations will be Dec. 18. The university will be closed Dec. 21-Jan. 1, except for essential operations as outlined by departments and units.
Purdue’s winter break historically included only two added days beyond Christmas and New Year’s Day. In December 2015, Daniels requested that Purdue Trustees add a special winter recess leave in order for employees to be able to enjoy extended holiday time with their families from just prior to Christmas through Jan. 1. For 2020, Daniels has granted Dec. 21-22 as additional leave time, meaning employees have two full weeks of leave. Dec. 23 was previously designated as replacement for the Labor Day holiday. Official University holidays are Dec. 24, 25 and 28, and Jan. 1. And winter recess days off are Dec. 29-31 as approved by Trustees at their meeting in April.
Information about essential operations and holiday time off will be provided by Purdue Human Resources and individual business offices as needed.
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November 04, 2020
Dear Purdue colleagues,
We write today to offer our sincere gratitude for all that you have done and continue to do during this year of challenges and changes. Nothing has been simple in 2020 and, as we knew you would, you all have responded with the problem-solving determination that identifies Boilermakers, whether they are students, faculty, staff or alumni.
Your efforts, extra hours and willingness to adapt has not gone without notice. You’ve persisted through ever-changing situations at work and in your homes, schools and communities.
For all of that and for all that you continue to do as we finish out this semester and prepare for the next, we thank you and, with that thanks, we offer what we hope will be a welcome two additional days of leave during our winter break. This means that we intend for all non-essential operations at Purdue’s West Lafayette campus to conclude at the end of the standard work day on Friday, Dec. 18. The university will be closed Dec. 21-Jan. 1, 2021. Regular work days for employees will resume Jan. 4, 2021. You will receive additional information from our human resources, business offices and your individual units regarding essential operations and leave time tracking.
We hope you all will be able to enjoy this special extended break, to recharge, enjoy your families and friends, and reflect on a collective job well done. Thank you, again, for all that you do for Purdue University.
Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr.
President
Jay T. Akridge
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Diversity