Q&A with Sabrina Minor

George Washington University recently announced updates on paid time off and merit increases. Vice President and Chief People Officer Sabrina Minor answered questions about these updates.

Q: Why did the university make changes to its paid time off program?
A: Our employees help advance the university's academic and research missions, and we are deeply grateful for them. We know that taking time off of work is important, and we routinely evaluate our paid time-off program to respond to the needs of our community.

I encourage all of our employees to use their vacation time! It's important to take time to recharge.

Q: What are the major changes made to the paid time off program?

A: First, we are pleased to introduce the new spring break recharge time off in 2027. Since it gets pretty quiet on our campuses over spring break, eligible employees will now get the Thursday and Friday of spring break as paid time off. Next academic year, March 11-12, 2027, will be university holidays.

We are also standardizing early dismissals before the following university holidays: Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day and Thanksgiving. Going forward, eligible employees can take advantage of early dismissal three hours before their regularly scheduled dismissal time.

And finally, beginning July 1 and following a three-year transition period, we will cap the payout of unused vacation time for employees who leave the university. This new cap applies solely to the payout of unused vacation time upon separation from the university. There are no changes to the vacation time accrual rates, maximum accrual limits or employees' ability to use accrued vacation time during active employment. More details can be found in the Time Off & Leave Guide.

I should also note that when I say "eligible employees," I mean that these programs do not apply to faculty and staff covered by a collective bargaining agreement unless such agreement expressly permits the programs or a collective bargaining representative reaches a separate written agreement with the university regarding a program.

Q: Will faculty and staff receive merit increases this year?

A: Yes, the fiscal year 2027 budget funds a 3% merit pool for eligible employees. Merit increases will be effective July 1 and will appear in paychecks this July.

Q: What is a merit pool?

A: A merit pool is the total amount of money allocated to divisions and schools to distribute to their eligible employees as part of the university's performance management process. Division and school leaders will make merit decisions based on fiscal year 2026 performance.

Q: If I have a workplace flexibility idea for the future, how can I share that?

We'd love to hear from you. Please email askhrmdgwu [dot] edu (askhrmd[at]gwu[dot]edu).