You receive a pro-rated number of PTO hours to use during your 1st year of service on the first day of the month following your successful completion of the new hire period.

Annual PTO credits are provided on January 1st each year. 

You are expected to arrive at work on time and to communicate with your manager if you will be late or are not able to work as scheduled. As a courtesy, notify your manager if you will be more than 30 minutes late for work. 

Any time off not scheduled in advance counts as unscheduled (Exception: Emergencies such as an unforeseen combination of extreme circumstances that require your immediate attention). 

Unexcused absences are handled are as follows:

• Non-exempt associates are not compensated for unexcused absences.
• You may be asked for documentation from your health care provider or other proof of an emergency when returning from an unscheduled absence.
• When due to illness, an unscheduled absence of 4 or more hours that results in consecutive days missed counts as a single occurrence.
• Time off taken in excess of the PTO accrued will be unpaid and may result in progressive disciplinary action, including employment separation.
• Six unscheduled absences in a rolling calendar year count as demonstrated low performance and can result in disciplinary action up to and including employment separation.
• Missing 3 or more consecutive scheduled days without notice to your manager/supervisor may be considered a voluntary resignation.

You are required to take 5 consecutive business days of leave every calendar year. The total hours of leave required to satisfy this policy depend upon the regular schedule for your position:

Guidelines:

• You are not required to comply during your first year of service.
  • If your hire date is January - September, then you are required to comply during your second calendar year.
  • If your hire date is October-December, then you are required to comply during your third calendar year.
• You are not limited to a Monday-Friday scenario. Your 5 days can start on any day of the week. Example: leave beginning on Thursday and ending on the following Wednesday.
• Bank-observed holidays do not count toward this requirement.
• Saturdays (even if part of your regular schedule) do not count toward your 5 consecutive days because they are not full-service business days.

Exceptions:

• Some situations warrant a case-by-case exception granted by your manager and you Human Resources Consultant using the Request for Exception form.
• Exceptions cannot be granted in 2 consecutive calendar years.

To view your PTO balances, do the following:

1. On the StarAccess home page, click Myself tab.
   
2. Under Benefits click Time Off.
    
3. The Time Off window displays.
4. View your PTO balances.
   

To submit your PTO request, do the following:

1. On the StarAccess home page, click Myself tab.
   
2. Under Benefits drop-down click Time off.
    
3. The Time Off window opens.
   
   
4. Click Create Request. The Request screen displays.
5. From the Policy Type  drop-down menu, choose the selection that is available. Note: only one selection is available - either Non-exempt or Exempt depending on your job classification.
6. If you are choosing less than a day of PTO, do the following:
   1. From the Start Day filed, choose the start date. Leave End Date blank.
   2. Click the Request a Partial Day checkbox.
   3. From the drop down menu below the partial day checkbox, choose the number of hours. The screen displays your selection. Note: the time is in fifteen minute increments, displayed in military format.
   4. You have a Comments box that you can use if you wish to enter a comment related toy our request.
7. If you are requesting a day or more of PTO, do the following:
   1. From the Start Date filed, choose the start date.
   2. From the End Date field, choose the end date.
   3. The screen displays your selection.
8. Click Submit.

To view PTO requests, do the following:

1. On the StarAccess home page, click Myself tab.
   
2.  Under Benefits click Time Off.
   
3.  The Time Off window displays.
4.  Click Time Off >History.
   
5.  To view a full list of future requests, click Requests.

To edit or cancel a PTO request, do the following:

1.  On the StarAccess home page, click Myself tab.
   
2.  Under Benefits, click Time Off.
   
3.  The Time Off window displays.
   
4.  Under Planned Requests, locate the request.
   
5.  Click the date of the request to be updated or cancelled.
6.  Do one of the following:
   1.  To make changes, enter the changes then click Update.
      
      Note: Update is only available if the request has not yet been approved. To change an approved request, you must cancel the request and submit a new one. 
   2.  To cancel the request, click Cancel Request.

Non-exempt associates who have completed 1 year of service are eligible to participate in the PTO buy back program.

Annual PTO Buy Back:

Each October the Bank offers you the opportunity to buy back a portion of the PTO hours you have earned this calendar year. Redeemed hours are included in the November 28th paycheck.

Eligibility:

When the program opens in October, you must have at least the minimum number of hours to participate.

You may rollover any unused PTO hours at the end of a calendar year up to the maximum for your position classification.

Non-exempt

Exempt

Rollover Guidelines

• Your annual credit of PTO must be exhausted before rollover PTO hours can be used.
• You can use rollover PTO hours for documented medical leave (FMLA, ADAA), military caregiver leave, qualified exigency leave, and for emergencies and non-FMLA illness (self or dependent) requiring at least 2 days of absence from work.
• Rollover PTO annual and overall maximums are set by the number of hours permissible under FMLA, based on full-time and part-time statuses. Rollover PTO supports you on FMLA until you are eligible for short or long term disability benefits. As the short and long term disability plans change, the maximum allowable hours may also change.