Paid Time Off & Leaves
Harvard's generous paid time off benefits – including vacation, personal and sick time, holidays, and leave for new parents and to manage illness – combined with flexible, supportive unpaid leave opportunities support your wellbeing and healthy balance of work and personal responsibilities.
Overview of paid time off
- 20 days of vacation per year for administrative/professional staff. Unused vacation carries into the next year, with a 30-day maximum for those with less than five years of service and a 40-day maximum for those with at least five years.
- 15 days of vacation per year for support staff under five years of service, which increases to 20 days per year after five years of service. Unused vacation carries into the next year, with a 30-day maximum for those with less than five years of service and a 40-day maximum for those with at least five years.
- 3 personal days annually offer additional flexibility in balancing work and life. Personal days are given on January 1 and must be used by December 31. New employees receive personal days on a prorated basis depending upon start date: January 1-March 31 - 3 personal days; April 1-June 30 - 2 personal days; July 1-September 30 - 1 personal day.
- 12 sick days per year. In addition to using sick days to care for yourself, you may use up to 12 days per year to care for a sick family or household member. Unused days may be carried over from year to year, up to a maximum balance of 130 days.
- 12.5 paid holidays plus a Winter Recess during the week between Christmas and New Year.
- Up to 12 weeks paid leave for new parents who are primary caregivers.
- Time off for jury duty and bereavement.
Current staff can find important details on the employee website, HARVie's Paid Time Off section (HarvardKey required), including accrual rates and how to request time off in PeopleSoft.
Leaves of Absence
Harvard offers a variety of paid and unpaid leave options for medical, personal, or family reasons, as well as for career development, government service, military training and deployment, retirement planning, and release time for learning. Our comprehensive leave options allow you the time you need to care for yourself and your family’s needs.
Harvard also complies fully with mandated leave requirements, including Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave (HarvardKey required), Domestic Violence Leave, FMLA, and others. Current staff can find details on the employee website, HARVie's Leaves page (HarvardKey required), including types of leave and policies.
The paid time off policies summarized on these pages apply to administrative and professional staff; overtime eligible, non-bargaining unit staff; and employees covered by HUCTW, except as noted. Members of other bargaining units should consult their union contract for time off policies. Faculty members should contact their dean’s or faculty affairs office. All paid time off is prorated for part-time schedules.