PTO FAQs Home

• When will the myPTO program be effective?

  The myPTO program is expected to launch March 28, 2022. The program’s provisions will apply to all benefits-eligible faculty and staff.

• Will I lose my existing vacation and sick leave balances?

  Employees will not experience any loss of their existing vacation and sick leave balances with this transition. All leave hours previously accrued by employees under the state-sponsored plans will be transferred to the myPTO program. 

• How will I accrue PTO hours?

  Employees will accrue PTO hours monthly based on total years of state service and FTE status. PTO hours are credited on the first calendar day of each month and are available for immediate use. For more PTO information, click here or see the Paid Time Off Fact Sheet.

• What is meant by “prorated for FTE status”?

  FTE (full-time equivalency) status refers to an employee’s total appointed hours in relation to a 40-hour workweek. FTE status is used as the pro-rata basis for determining leave accruals.

  This means employees who work less than full time will receive a prorated amount of leave hours based on their total appointed hours.

• How will I request time off with the myPTO program?

  Employees will continue to use the Kronos timekeeping system when requesting time away from work. New pay codes are being created to support the transition to the myPTO program. 

  Managers, timekeepers and employees will be able to learn more about these pay codes by attending the Kronos system training coming in February.

• Will there still be scheduled and unscheduled absences?

  Yes, there will still be scheduled and unscheduled absences with the myPTO program.

  Time off that is requested and approved in advance according to UTMB’s Attendance Policy is considered a scheduled absence. Time off that is not requested and approved with adequate advance notice is considered an unscheduled absence.

• What is the difference between RPL and short-term disability insurance?

  Reduced paid leave (RPL) is a new benefit that provides expanded income protection to employees who have exhausted their available accruals and need more time away from work for a personal illness/injury, the catastrophic illness/injury of an immediate family member or parental leave. Employees who qualify may be granted two illness/injury periods within a rolling 12 months, up to a combined maximum of 480 hours. RPL is funded by UTMB at 50% of employees monthly or hourly base rate, and it is payable after seven calendar days or the exhaustion of all available accruals, whichever is greater. Each new illness/injury period requires employees to satisfy a new elimination period, and RPL hours cannot be supplemented with other accrued leave.

  Employees in a benefits-eligible position may choose to purchase optional short-term disability insurance through the UT System benefits program at the time of hire or during the annual benefits enrollment period. Short-term disability insurance replaces a portion of employees’ income for a non-work related illness/injury that prevents them from doing their job. Monthly premiums are paid 100% by employees based on their annual salary. Those who elect short-term disability insurance receive 60% of their weekly earnings, up to a maximum benefit of $850 per week.

  Please be advised that if an employee has applied or been approved for short-term disability payments through the UT System benefits program, they are not eligible for RPL for the same qualifying illness/injury. See the Reduced Paid Leave and Short-Term Disability Insurance Fact Sheet for more details. 

• How will the myPTO program affect the UTMB winter holiday break and CMC specific holidays?

  Under the myPTO program, UTMB's official holidays schedule will include 10 designated holidays each fiscal year. In addition to these holidays, hours equivalent to the amount of time granted for five holidays will be rolled into employees’ monthly PTO accrual rate each fiscal year.

  Beginning in FY23, employees will be expected to use their PTO or other available accruals when wanting time off for any day not included in the official holidays schedule. This includes previously granted time off for the UTMB winter holiday break and CMC specific holidays. 

• What will happen to my banked holiday time?

  Previously accrued holiday compensatory time will not be affected by the transition to the myPTO program. The hours will remain in your holiday bank and must be used within 12 months from the date of accrual. 

• Will I be able to sell back accrued PTO hours?

  No. The myPTO program does not allow employees to sell their accrued PTO hours back to UTMB. 

• Will I still be able to purchase service credit under the new program?

  Yes. Employees who meet the eligibility criteria will be able to use their unused EIB and/or PTO hours to purchase service credit through the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) or Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS).

• Will accrued PTO hours be paid if I separate or retire from UTMB?

  Yes. Employees who separate from UTMB for any reason may receive a lump sum payment for the total number of PTO hours accrued but not used as of the last day of employment. 
  

  Employees also have the option to defer any portion of their unused PTO hours (up to the IRS limits) to a 403(b) tax sheltered annuity and/or 457(b) deferred compensation account. To defer unused PTO hours, employees must have an account established with an approved provider prior to separation. See the UTSaver Deferring Annual Leave website for more details.