By Denton Josey, Features Editor
Many staff won’t show up for work Wednesday thanks to a decision the President’s Cabinet and human resources made.
In years past, the day before Thanksgiving break has been a half-day for staff at ACU, but this year, they have the entire day off.
Suzanne Allmon, director of human resources, said the decision was made in appreciation of the staff’s hard work. Allmon said the President’s Cabinet and human resources “felt like it would give staff additional time with their families. We felt that’s an important thing to do.”
The extra day off is also intended to help employees have more time to travel and, Allmon added, there wasn’t a compelling reason to not let staff have the day off.
Allmon said in the past employees indicated on surveys that they would like the day off, so the response from the employees has been very appreciative.
Some of the staff able to take the day off include Administrative coordinators, the department of financial services, the Depot, the registrar and marketing. Allmon said about 500 people
who normally would have to work will be off.
“Lots of people will be affected positively by this decision,” Allmon said.
Maria del Pinal, guest services coordinator, said when she received the e-mail about the day off she was thrilled. “I was ecstatic,” del Pinal said. With her family in Fort Worth, del Pinal said the day off allows for more time to travel. “That means I get to go home Tuesday night instead of Wednesday night and spend some extra time with my family.”
Some departments, however, are unable to take the time off. Allmon said the police work 24 hours a day every day, so they won’t take time off. Likewise, departments that typically have staff on call won’t have Wednesday off because there needs to be enough people working to keep the university infrastructure running.
For employees unable to take time off Wednesday, a day off will be available to use by May. “I think most employees are understanding of that, those who know they have to work,” Allmon said.
Allmon said she does not know if the extra vacation day will become a permanent thing, but said she anticipates it as a possibility.
