Workload and Time Off

Workload

The collective bargaining agreement (CBA) provides that “no employee should be compelled to devote more than an average of 20 hours per week over the course of their appointment period on work not associated with degree requirements and academic expectations.” 

• Time spent by graduate students on academic efforts associated with degree requirements and academic expectations are not subject to this limit.
• PhD and MFA students must continue to follow TGS’s Permission to Work Policy in order to undertake work that is not assigned to them in their appointment letter(s) and/or letter of admission.
• Graduate students can be appointed to bargaining unit positions for periods less than a full quarter or year. In addition, graduate students can be appointed to provide research or instructional services on an hourly basis.
• The CBA includes a schedule of minimum hourly rates for appointments unrelated to base funding. These hourly rates also may be set as a flat-rate equivalent based on a set expectation of hours worked.

Time Off

Graduate employees generally should consult with their direct supervisor(s) to request time off at least two weeks in advance. For incidental, temporary illnesses and exposures to infectious illness, graduate students may request time off from their direct supervisors and such requests shall not be unreasonably denied.