Time-Off Awards

Definition

An award that permits an individual to be away from his/her job during official work hours and for which the time away from work is not charged to leave.

General

Time-off awards (TOA) are an alternative method of recognizing the superior accomplishments or contributions of employees; therefore, the decision to grant a TOA based on the same criteria or circumstances as for any other award.

TOAs are not administrative excusals or leave.

TOAs are not granted to create the effect of a holiday, which would award the same number of hours to the majority of the population in an organization to be used on a specified day.

Bureaus establish guidelines or controls for the granting and appropriate administration of time-off awards, i.e. the total hours that may be granted to a single employee in one year, the total number of hours that may be granted for a single achievement, approval authorities, scheduling guidance, appropriate number of hours commensurate with employee's contributions, supervisory responsibility, etc.

The number of hours granted as an award is not based upon an employee's pay rate, but rather based on the value of the contribution to the organization.

A TOA is never converted to a cash award for any reason.