University’s early release program begins Friday

This Friday begins the launch of Case Western Reserve University’s early release pilot program, in which employees will have the opportunity to leave work at 3 p.m. on eight designated Fridays in June and July—without any commensurate decrease in compensation. Announced this spring by President Barbara R. Snyder, with the unanimous support of President’s Cabinet, the early release program represents an effort to demonstrate the university’s appreciation of employees’ contributions to Case Western Reserve. While President Snyder emphasized that she would prefer to be able to recognize staff through more significant compensation increases, economic constraints have precluded that option in recent years. Administrators also hope to be able to share new efforts for faculty in the near future. The designated “early release” Fridays are:

• June 5
• June 12
• June 19
• June 26
• July 10
• July 17
• July 24
• July 31

Early release applies to full-time employees only. Part-time employees, employees who have a compressed work schedule or those who are not normally scheduled to work on Fridays are not eligible. In some instances, offices will not be able to allow all staff to leave at the same time on the same day; in these cases, supervisors will work with employees to ensure all individuals are able to take off the designated hours at some other time each week. For those units where staff work shifts throughout the day and night, supervisors will develop alternative arrangements to ensure that the designated paid time off is still provided. Some offices, such as Access Services, will close at 2:30 p.m. in order to allow employees to leave by 3 p.m. For more details on the program, read the original announcement and the follow-up article answering commonly asked questions. Staff members with additional questions should contact Carolyn Gregory, vice president for Human Resources. Staff and faculty in the School of Medicine also may contact Dan Anker or Danielle Price Haslett.