Voluntary Reduction in Work Schedule (VRWS) Program Highlights

The Voluntary Reduction in Work Schedule (VRWS) program allows eligible full time employees to voluntarily reduce their work schedule (FTE), with a corresponding reduction in salary while retaining a full time appointment.

Eligibility:

• • Full time annual, college year and academic year salaried State employees, with
  • One continuous year of qualifying service (leave without pay is not counted towards one
    
    year of service).

Description of how the program works:

• • Employees wishing to participate develop and submit a VRWS plan for a reduced work schedule to Management for approval. (see attached Agreement form)
  • The employee may reduce their full-time obligation (FTE) and salary, a minimum of 5 percent, in 5 percent increments, up to a maximum of 30 percent.

The individual VRWS plan defines:

• • The duration of the agreement;
  • The percentage reduction in FTE and salary;
  • The employee’s Voluntary Reduction (VR) schedule.

How will this affect my work week/schedule?

Depending on the percentage reduction in FTE an employee earns a VR credit in days or partial days per pay period as shown below

Percent Reduction Taken
Percent Reduction Taken5%	Percent Reduction Taken10%	Percent Reduction Taken15%	Percent Reduction Taken20%	Percent Reduction Taken25%	Percent Reduction Taken30%
Percent Reduction TakenDays Earned Per Pay Period
Percent Reduction Taken0.5	Percent Reduction Taken1	Percent Reduction Taken1.5	Percent Reduction Taken2	Percent Reduction Taken2.5	Percent Reduction Taken3

How can I use my VR credits?

There are several ways to use VR credits, including:

1. VR time may be used immediately each pay period by working:
   • Shorter workday/Normal workweek
   • Shorter workweek/Normal workday
     
     For an employee who reduces their FTE by 10% the following examples may be useful.

     Example 1: employee earns 1 full day of VR time for each pay period. To shorten your workday, you can take ½ day off every Friday for the duration in which you participate in the plan.

     Example 2: employee earns 1 full day of VR time for each pay period. To shorten your workweek, you can take off every other Thursday for the duration in which you participate in the plan

2. VR time can be banked and taken off in a block
   
   For an employee who reduces their FTE by 10%, earns 1 full day of credit each pay period and wants to take a block of time, the following example may be helpful
   • • Example: You work full time for 10 pay periods, earn 1 day of VR credit per pay period for a total of 10 days, and then take off 10 days.

How do I record my time in SOLAR?

When entering the Solar Time Report, select VRU (Voluntary Reduction Used) from the drop down list (similar to vacation or sick usage) for any day or partial day off (using VR credit).

When will the program begin and end?

• • The VRWS agreement must begin on the first day of a payroll period and end on the last day of a payroll period. Individual VRWS agreements may be entered into for any number of payroll periods but must end no later than the last payroll period in the
    
    University fiscal year.
  • Our program dates will begin at the beginning of a payroll period on, or after September 3, 2020 and will end no later than June 23, 2021.

Discontinuation or Suspension of VRWS Agreements:

• • Although VRWS agreements are for stated periods of time, they can be discontinued by mutual agreement at the end of any payroll period. VRWS agreements may be discontinued, at management’s discretion, when an employee is promoted, transferred or reassigned within a campus.

How does the program affect my pay?

• • Gross salary earned is reduced by the percentage of voluntary reduction in work schedule.

Does it affect my benefits?

• • There is no effect on health insurance.
  • There is no effect on dental/vision insurance.
  • There is no change in holiday benefit.
  • Annual and sick leave accruals are prorated based on the VRWS percentage.
  • Location Pay prorated based on VRWS percentage (if eligible)
  • Inconvenience Pay prorated based on VRWS percentage (if eligible)
  • Retirement service credit (ERS and TRS) and retirement benefit contributions are prorated based on payroll percentage.
  • Retirement Benefit Earnings are reduced by VRWS percentage
  • There is no impact to service credit, the employee remains in full time status.

For additional information:

UUP - https://goer.ny.gov/state-university-professional-services-negotiating-unit-psnu-08-and68

CSEA - https://goer.ny.gov/administrative-services-unit-asu-02

CSEA - https://goer.ny.gov/operational-services-unit-osu-03

PEF - https://goer.ny.gov/professional-scientific-and-technical-services-unit-pst-05

Who do I call if I have additional questions?

• • For additional questions email HRS_TimeATT@Stonybrook.edu or call (631) 632-6182

Where do I send my completed form?

Approved forms should be emailed to Time and Attendance at HRS_TimeATT@stonybrook.edu subject line VRWS Forms.