How Much Vacation Time Do NYS Employees Get?

By Robert Palmer

If you’re a New York State employee, you’re probably wondering how much vacation time you’re entitled to. The amount of vacation time you get depends on your job title and the number of years of service you have with the state. In this article, we’ll explore the different types of employees in NYS and their respective vacation time entitlements.

Types of NYS Employees

There are two broad categories of employees in NYS: those covered by a union contract and those who are not. Unionized employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements negotiated between their unions and the state. Non-unionized employees, on the other hand, are covered by personnel policies issued by the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations (GOER).

Unionized Employees

Unionized employees in NYS fall under six main bargaining units: CSEA, PEF, DC-37, UUP, NYSCOPBA, and M/C. These bargaining units represent various occupational groups such as administrative staff, professional staff, blue-collar workers, corrections officers, and managerial/confidential employees.

Each bargaining unit has its own contract with specific provisions for vacation time. Generally speaking, unionized employees receive more vacation time than non-unionized ones. For example:

  • CSEA-represented employees with less than 5 years of service receive 13 days of vacation per year; those with 5-10 years receive 20 days; those with 10-15 years receive 26 days; and those with over 15 years receive 27 days.
  • PEF-represented professional employees receive between 13 and 25 vacation days per year depending on their length of service.
  • DC-37-represented city workers receive between 10 and 27 vacation days per year depending on their salary level.

Non-Unionized Employees

Non-unionized employees in NYS are mainly managerial/confidential employees who are not eligible for union representation. These employees are covered by personnel policies issued by GOER.

The amount of vacation time non-unionized employees get depends on their job title and length of service. For example:

  • Non-competitive class employees with less than 5 years of service receive 13 days of vacation per year; those with 5-10 years receive 20 days; and those with over 10 years receive 26 days.
  • Management/confidential employees with less than 5 years of service receive 21 days of vacation per year; those with 5-10 years receive 26 days; and those with over 10 years receive 31 days.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the amount of vacation time you get as a NYS employee depends on your job title, bargaining unit (if applicable), and length of service. It’s important to check your contract or personnel policy to see what your specific entitlements are. Keep in mind that these entitlements may change if a new collective bargaining agreement or personnel policy is negotiated.