EIU Benefit Services

 Gift Days

 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT GIFT DAYS 

What is a gift day? 

A gift day is a designated paid day that the University may provide to leave benefit eligible employees during the holiday break in December without having to use their own benefit time. A gift day is paid at straight time and does not accrue towards overtime eligibility. 

What if it is determined that I am an “essential” employee who must work during the gift day? 

Essential employees who are required to work on the gift day may use the gift day on another day within the timeframe identified by the administration, and with supervisor approval. The alternative time off must be taken by March 31 of the next calendar year. 

I have requested a sick day for a doctor appointment on a designated gift day. Will I be required to use the gift day? 

Yes, unless you are an essential employee, you must use the gift day on that day. 

I am scheduled to work on a designated gift day and want to use the gift day on another day. What do I need to do? 

You must follow standard protocol with your department for requesting time off and obtain approval from your supervisor. Only employees who have been identified as “essential” will be able to utilize the gift day on a day other than the designated gift day. If you do not know if you are “essential”, please work with your supervisor. 

I am on Family Medical Leave from over the holidays. Do I need to use my gift day? 

Yes, you are required to use your gift day. The day will be a paid gift day but will still count towards your FMLA leave entitlement. 

I am currently on leave, am I eligible for the gift day? 

You may be. Please contact Human Resources at benefits@eiu.edu or call 217-581-5825 to discuss your specific situation. 

I am a part time employee. Am I eligible for the gift day? 

In general, part time employees not accruing benefit time are not eligible to receive the gift day. Please contact Human Resources at benefits@eiu.edu or call 217-581-5825 to discuss your specific situation. 

If I call in sick, can I use the gift day? 

If the sick day occurs on a designated gift day, the time will be paid as a gift day. If you work on a gift day as an essential worker, and choose to use the gifted day later, you must follow standard protocol for requesting time off, including supervisor approval. 

If I am on probation, am I eligible for the gift day? 

Yes. 

Does the Gift Day expire for essential personnel who work on a designated gift day? 

Yes, the gift day used at some other time, must be used no later than a date identified by the administration. The alternative time off must be taken by March 31 of the next calendar year.

I was hired prior to December 31 of the current year to begin work on January 2. Will I be eligible to receive pay for the gifted day? 

No, you must be in pay status and benefit eligible prior to December 28 of the previous calendar year to be eligible for the gift day. 

The bi-weekly payday falls on one of the gift days.  Will this remain as the official payday?

Yes, the bi-weekly payday will remain as scheduled.  Direct Deposits will be available on the normal payday.  If a paper payroll check is issued, it will be available for pick-up in the Cashier’s Office in Old Main, beginning at 8 am on the first official work day following the break.