Human Resources

Texas Woman's University Staff Handbook
Staff Employment Policies & Practices: Work Week & Work Hours

The normal work schedule consists of five eight-hour days for a total of forty hours per week. Most employees work from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Some departments have responsibilities which require employees to work weekends, night shifts, or hours other than the usual daytime hours. Established work schedules are subject to change at the discretion of the supervisor when such changes are in the best interest of the University. When established work schedules are altered, the supervisor is expected to provide the maximum period of notice possible under the circumstances.

Certain work assignments are directly involved with maintaining safe and uninterrupted operation of the University's facilities and property. Employees with such assignments may be required as a condition of employment to accept shift work or a flexible work schedule involving being "on call" or "on standby" in the event of emergency situations.

Overtime
The TWU official work week is Sunday through Saturday. An employee who is subject to the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is required to work in excess of 40 hours in a work week is entitled to compensation for the excess hours by taking compensatory time off at the rate of l-l/2 hours off for each hour of overtime. All overtime must be approved in advance by the employee's supervisor. Working unapproved overtime will result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal. Overtime accruals will be used before compensatory time accruals. Overtime that is not taken within twelve months of the time it is accrued will be paid. However, every effort must be made to take off all overtime as soon as possible after it is accrued.

Compensatory Time
In situations in which the employee has not worked more than 40 hours in a work week but the total hours, for the week, including paid leave or paid holidays exceeds 40 hours, the employee shall be allowed equivalent compensatory time off for the excess hours calculated at one times the additional hours worked. Compensatory time under this paragraph may not be carried forward past the end of the 12-month period following the end of the work week in which the compensatory time was accrued. Compensatory time not used within twelve months or prior to termination/resignation of employment will be dropped.

Executives, Administrators, and Professional employees normally are not eligible for overtime or compensatory time.  This category of employees will earn compensatory time when they work during holiday times.

Rest Periods/Coffee Breaks/Smoking Breaks
Full-time employees may take two 15-minute rest periods or coffee breaks or smoking breaks during the work day. Employees who are scheduled to work at least four hours may receive one 15-minute break for each four hours during the work day. The utilization of rest periods is subject to the workload demands of the organization unit; supervisors may schedule these breaks to provide for continuity of service.

Because rest periods are a privilege and not a right, they may not be taken at the beginning or end of the day or in conjunction with the lunch break, nor may they be accumulated for use at a later date.

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