Employee Handbook

Benefits, Compensation & Leave

At SUNY Broome, we value the well-being of our employees and understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance. The Benefits, Compensation & Leave section outlines the various time-off options, holiday schedules, and leave entitlements available to employees. Whether you are planning your vacation, need time off for personal reasons, or are fulfilling civic duties like jury duty or voting, we are committed to providing the support and flexibility necessary for you to thrive both professionally and personally.

Benefits

SUNY Broome Community College offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support employees’ health, financial security, and work-life balance. Benefits packages are determined by the specifics of your employment relationship and eligibility requirements.

Benefits include, but are not limited to:

  • Comprehensive health, dental, vision, prescription coverage and flexible spending account.
  • Union representation (if applicable) varies by position.
  • Participation in the New York State Retirement System (NYS Retirement).
  • Tax deferred/Roth IRA programs.
  • Employer-paid $5,000 life insurance policy with the option to purchase additional coverage.
  • Generous time-off benefits, including a paid winter break (curtailment).
  • Tuition waivers for SUNY Broome classes for qualifying employees.
  • Cost-free counseling and support through the external Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for employees and dependents.
  • Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
  • Professional development workshops.
  • Employee access to continuing education classes.
  • Discounted on-campus childcare, available when space permits.
  • Dining services available on campus for convenience and affordability.
  • Free on-site parking and use of the fitness center and library.

Compensation & Leave

This section includes detailed information on:

Holiday Schedule: The college’s official holiday curtailment dates, including Winter Holiday Curtailment.
Leave Time: Policies related to Vacation, Sick, and Personal Leave, as well as links to comprehensive benefit summaries and contract details.
Jury Duty: Guidelines for employees who are called to serve, along with links to the relevant contract provisions.
New York State Election Law: Time allowed for employees to vote in state and national elections.
Employee Work Hours and Leave Parameters: An overview of the varying employee work hours and how they impact leave eligibility and benefits.

Please refer to the links provided for more specific details, and feel free to reach out to Human Resources for any additional questions or clarifications about your benefits and leave options.

At SUNY Broome, we recognize the importance of time off to recharge. Below is the official holiday schedule for the 2025-2026 academic year. You’ll also find reminders in the Hive HQ Highlights, our Faculty & Staff Newsletter.

Holiday Schedule for the 2025-2026 Academic Year:

  • Labor Day – Monday, September 9, 2025
  • Columbus Day – Monday, October 13, 2025
  • *Election Day – Tuesday, November 4, 2025
  • *Veteran’s Day – Tuesday, November 11, 2025
  • *Day before Thanksgiving – Wednesday, November 26, 2025
  • Thanksgiving Day – Thursday, November 27, 2025
  • Day after Thanksgiving – Friday, November 28, 2025
  • Christmas – Thursday, December 25, 2025
  • New Year’s Day – Thursday, January 1, 2026
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Monday, January 19, 2026
  • *Lincoln’s Birthday – Thursday, February 12, 2026
  • *Washington’s Birthday – Monday, February 16, 2026
  • Memorial Day – Monday, May 25, 2026
  • *Juneteenth – Friday, June 19, 2026
  • Independence Day – Friday, July 3, 2026

Important Notes:

  • The holidays marked with an asterisk (*) are compensatory holidays for specific employees, including clerical, maintenance, administrative, Guild employees, and 12-month faculty. These compensatory days are earned when working on those holidays and must be used before August 31 of the academic year in which they are earned.
  • For 12-month faculty, the Day before Thanksgiving and Juneteenth are also holidays.
  • All other listed holidays are campus-wide closures.

Be sure to check Hive HQ Highlights for holiday reminders. Enjoy your time off!

If you’re looking for more details on vacation, sick, or personal leave time, feel free to check your Collective Bargaining Agreement. Administrative/Management Confidential employees can refer to their Staff Benefits.

You can easily find these documents on MyCollege under Employee > Human Resources Documents. Let us know if you have any questions!

If you need more information about jury duty, please refer to your Collective Bargaining Agreement. Administrative/Management Confidential employees can check their Staff Benefits for details.

You can find these documents on MyCollege under Employee > Human Resources Documents.

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In accordance with New York State Election Law (Section 3-110), employees who are registered voters and do not have sufficient time outside of their working hours to vote are entitled to take up to two hours of paid time off to vote.

Here are the key details:

  • Eligibility: If you don’t have at least 4 consecutive hours between your work shift and the polls, you can take up to 2 hours off without loss of pay to vote.
  • When to Take Time Off: You can take time off at the beginning or end of your work shift, as designated by the employer, unless otherwise mutually agreed upon.
  • Notice Requirement: Please notify your employer at least 2 days but no more than 10 days before the election if you need time off to vote.

For further legal details, please refer to the full New York State Election Law.

Additionally, employers must post this information at your workplace at least 10 days before each election.

At SUNY Broome, we recognize and value the unique contributions of each employee, understanding that different roles and contractual agreements result in varied work schedules, hours, and leave policies. It is important to note that these parameters may differ across positions, and assumptions about uniformity should be avoided.

If there are any questions or uncertainties regarding the structure of work hours or leave entitlements for specific contracts, supervisors are encouraged to consult with the Human Resources Department for guidance and clarification. Adhering to contractual obligations and institutional policies is essential for maintaining fairness, transparency, and operational efficiency across all departments.

FAQ

The holiday schedule includes campus-wide closures for holidays like Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and New Year’s Day. Specific employees (e.g., clerical, maintenance, and 12-month faculty) may receive compensatory holidays. Please check the full schedule in the handbook for more details.

Employees who work on certain holidays marked with an asterisk (*) are eligible to earn compensatory holidays. These must be used before August 31 of the academic year in which they are earned.

Vacation, sick, and personal leave details can be found in your Collective Bargaining Agreement or, for Administrative/Management Confidential employees, under Staff Benefits. For more information, check MyCollege > Employee > Human Resources Documents.

Yes, employees called for jury duty should refer to their Collective Bargaining Agreement for details. Administrative/Management Confidential employees can find information in their Staff Benefits section.

Employees who do not have at least 4 consecutive hours outside of work to vote are entitled to take up to 2 hours of paid time off. Be sure to notify your employer 2 to 10 days before the election.

Work hours and leave parameters may vary depending on the employee’s role and contract. For clarity, supervisors should consult Human Resources regarding work schedules and leave entitlements.

Winter Holiday Curtailment refers to the period when the college is closed for winter break, typically from December 23 to January 1. Be sure to review the details for specific holiday closings.

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