Appreciative time off during Thanksgiving and winter break

The university will continue with Appreciative Time Off for faculty, staff and postdocs this Thanksgiving holiday and during winter break.  

On Wednesday, Nov. 26, administrative offices will close at 3 p.m. for the Thanksgiving holiday. University offices will be closed on Thanksgiving and the following day (Nov. 27 and Nov. 28).

Also, the university’s winter break will begin Wednesday, Dec. 24 and continue through Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. The university will reopen on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026.

Appreciative Time Off is part of CWRU’s broader employee appreciation program, which includes initiatives such as CWRU Take Two in the summer and Employee Appreciation Day each March. 

Please note the following:

• Thanksgiving holiday: All administrative offices must maintain coverage until 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26. Any employee wishing to leave before 3 p.m. on Nov. 26 must use vacation time in whole-day or half-day increments. Non-exempt employees who are unable to leave early because of the nature of their responsibilities may take off two alternate hours during the week of Nov. 24, or, if their supervisor prefers, receive two hours of overtime pay. Employees who call off sick or have taken a vacation day Nov. 26 must take a full sick or vacation day.
• Winter recess: Based on the nature of duties and/or unexpected developments, some offices will need to remain open Dec. 26, 29, 30 and Jan. 2. Non-exempt staff who work on campus during winter recess will be paid time and one-half and will receive equivalent paid time off on a later date. If operational demands require exempt employees to be present on campus for a significant amount of time, the possibility of alternative time off will be determined by their supervisors.

Email AskHR@case.edu with any questions about the Thanksgiving holiday or winter break. View the Appreciative Time Off policy.