Paid Time Off In 2026

Paid Time Off
in 2026

Paid Time Off Changes for 2026

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As we continue creating a more consistent experience for all employees, we’re launching our new, system-wide paid time off program on December 21, 2025 (the first pay period of 2026).

Why we’re making this change:

At RWJBH we believe that Wellbeing starts with you, and time off is an important part of Total Wellbeing. Our team members need time away from work to rest, recharge, care for themselves and be there for those they love.

Right now, there are different time off plans across our system, so we are aligning our paid time off benefits, including vacation, sick (NJ Earned Sick Leave), holidays and paid leaves of absence. This will create a consistent experience for all employees, no matter where their career journey takes them and reinforces our RWJBarnabas Health values and one system, one family mantra.

All of the details are within the drop downs below, including new resources (FAQs, Transition Guide, Policies). We are here to support you and answer any questions you may have. As you review, it may be helpful to keep this in mind:

What’s Changing

What’s Not Changing

 The distribution of your time off categories across vacation time, sick time and holidays

 The specific holidays that we will collectively celebrate as a system

 The way time off is accrued/earned, carried over each year, and allocated for use (may differ from your current plan today)

 You may receive more time off under
the new system plan than you currently receive today

 If you currently receive more time off than the new system plan provides, your total annual hours of paid time off will stay the same (for the next five years)

 The time you have already earned and accrued (but not used) in your current time off banks will continue to be available in Legacy Banks

We have prepared this summary overview to supplement our policies. In the case of a discrepancy between this page and the Policy, the Policy will govern.

Key Resources for You

Quick Tips: Transition Guide

Click here for a short resource guide on what’s changing and what you need to know.

FAQs

Click here for additional details and answers to questions regarding the Paid Time Off changes.

Time Off and Leave of Absence Policies

The Time Off Policy, found here, and the updated Leave of Absence Policy, found here, are effective December 21, 2025 and can be found in My Service Portal.

Recorded Presentation and Reference Guide

Click here for a detailed guide to understand the changes step-by-step. You can also click here to watch a recorded presentation of this reference guide.

Recorded Video of Paid Time Off Letter

Click here to watch a video walkthrough of your paid time off changes letter.

Summary Overview of Paid Time Off Changes

Eligibility

These changes apply to:
All full-time and part-time employees scheduled to work 16+ hours per week.

Employees who are covered by a collective bargaining agreement should check with their local human resources teams or union leadership to understand how these changes may apply.

These changes do not apply to:
Per Diem employees, Medical and Pharmacy Residents, and employees who are part of the RWJBarnabas Health Nursing School or Children’s Specialized Hospital school-based therapy programs.

Honor System Employees
Refer to the “Honor System Updates” section for details regarding how these changes apply to you.

Holiday Time

Click here for a quick overview of how you will receive and use holiday time moving forward.

Collectively, we will observe eight (8) holidays per year:

Seven (7) fixed: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas
One (1) flex: This holiday is designed to be used on another day each year that is important to you

How your holiday hours will be allocated

Holiday hours are allocated based on your standard weekly hours. (Note: Employees with standard hour amounts not shown below will receive a proportionate, prorated amount.)

Total hours of holiday time based on your weekly standard hours

Standard Weekly Hours	20 hrs	24 hrs	30 hrs	36 hrs	37.5 hrs	40 hrs
Holiday Hrs Per Year	32	38.4	48	57.6	60	64
Holiday Hrs Per Holiday	4	4.8	6	7.2	7.5	8

Key things to know

Here are a few key things for you to know about the new holiday time:

Fixed holidays are available two pay periods before the pay period of the holiday and expires two pay periods after the holiday (10 total weeks of time).
The flex holiday is available annually starting with the second pay period of the year and expires at end of last pay period of the year.
There is no payout of holiday time if unused or at separation.
All eligible employees will receive proportional holiday hours for eight total holidays per year. If you work longer shifts (e.g., 12-hours), you may need to use some vacation time to fully cover a day off, if you are taking off for a full shift that falls on a holiday. For Example:

An employee taking off for a fixed holiday – based on their standard weekly schedule

Standard Weekly Schedule	36 hrs	37.5 hrs	37.5 hrs	40 hrs	40 hrs
	12-hour shifts	12.5-hour shifts	7.5-hour shifts	10-hour shifts	8-hour shifts
	3 Days	3 Days	5 Days	4 Days	5 Days
*Total Annual Holiday Hours*	*57.6*	60	60	64	64
Hours Per Holiday	7.2	7.5	7.5	8	8
Vacation Hours to Supplement	4.8	5	–	2	–
Total Hours for Full Shift	12	12.5	7.5	10	8

Holiday Time

Click here for a quick overview of how you will receive and use holiday time moving forward.Collectively, we will observe eight (8) holidays per year:

Seven (7) fixed: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas
One (1) flex: This holiday is designed to be used on another day each year that is important to you

How your holiday hours will be allocated

Holiday hours are allocated based on your standard weekly hours. (Note: Employees with standard hour amounts not shown below will receive a proportionate, prorated amount.)

Total hours of holiday time based on your weekly standard hours

Standard Weekly Hours	20 hrs	24 hrs	30 hrs
Holiday Hrs Per Year	32	38.4	48
Holiday Hrs Per Holiday	4	4.8	6

Standard Weekly Hours	36 hrs	37.5 hrs	40 hrs
Holiday Hrs Per Year	57.6	60	64
Holiday Hrs Per Holiday	7.2	7.5	8

Key things to know

Here are a few key things for you to know about the new holiday time:

Fixed holidays are available two pay periods before the pay period of the holiday and expires two pay periods after the holiday (10 total weeks of time).
The flex holiday is available annually starting with the second pay period of the year and expires at end of last pay period of the year.
There is no payout of holiday time if unused or at separation.
All eligible employees will receive proportional holiday hours for eight total holidays per year. If you work longer shifts (e.g., 12-hours), you may need to use some vacation time to fully cover a day off, if you are taking off for a full shift that falls on a holiday. For example:

An employee taking off for a fixed holiday – based on their standard weekly schedule

Standard Weekly Schedule	36 hrs	37.5 hrs	37.5 hrs
	12-hour shifts	12.5-hour shifts	7.5-hour shifts
	3 Days	3 Days	5 Days
*Total Annual Holiday Hours*	*57.6*	60	60
Hours Per Holiday	7.2	7.5	7.5
Vacation Hours to Supplement	4.8	5	–
Total Hours for Full Shift	12	12.5	7.5

Standard Weekly Schedule	40 hrs	40 hrs
	10-hour shifts	8-hour shifts
	4 Days	5 Days
*Total Annual Holiday Hours*	64	64
Hours Per Holiday	8	8
Vacation Hours to Supplement	2	–
Total Hours for Full Shift	10	8

NJESL (Sick) Time

Eligible employees will receive 40 hours of New Jersey Earned Sick Leave (NJESL) frontloaded on January 1st of each calendar year. Employees may use up to 40 hours of NJESL time annually.

NJESL must be taken in full shift increments (e.g., 6-hour shift = 6 hours of NJESL).

If you use all 40 hours and need to take a sick day, you must use other paid time off (e.g., Vacation, Legacy Time Off/Sick) — this will count as unscheduled time off under the Attendance Policy. Unpaid time off is not allowed.

Note: Different processes and sick benefits may be available for employees who are located within states other than New Jersey.

Vacation Time

The number of vacation days you are eligible to accrue will be determined by three factors

Your role: Non-Exempt (Hourly) or Exempt (Salaried) status
Your tenure: Length of service with RWJBarnabas Health
Your schedule: Weekly standard hours

Key things to know

Here are a few key things for you to know about the new vacation time:

Vacation time accrues biweekly, based on your standard weekly hours (not actual hours worked).
Requests should be submitted at least four (4) weeks in advance, subject to manager approval.
Vacation must be earned before use; unpaid time off is not allowed (unless dismissed due to low census or under extreme circumstances).
Time must be taken in at least half-shift increments (unless using to supplement a Fixed or Flex Holiday).
Beginning at the end of 2026, you may carry over up to 80 hours of unused vacation time into the following year. Any time over 80 hours will be forfeited and not eligible for payout.
Unused vacation time will be paid out at separation, subject to adequate resignation notice.

How much vacation time you will be eligible for

The tables below outline the total annual vacation hours for most hourly and salaried employees, based on varying weekly standard hours. (Note: Employees with standard hour amounts not shown below will receive a proportionate, prorated amount.)

Total hours of vacation time per year – Hourly (Non-Exempt)

Years of Service	Weekly Standard Hours
Years of Service	20 hrs	24 hrs	30 hrs	36 hrs	37.5 hrs	40 hrs
0	60	72	90	108	112.5	120
3	68	81.6	102	122.4	127.5	136
5	76	91.2	114	136.8	142.5	152
10	84	100.8	126	151.2	157.5	168
15	92	110.4	138	165.6	172.5	184
20+	100	120	150	180	187.5	200

Total hours of vacation time per year – Salaried (Exempt)

Years of Service	Weekly Standard Hours
Years of Service	20 hrs	24 hrs	30 hrs	36 hrs	37.5 hrs	40 hrs
0	80	96	120	144	150	160
3	88	105.6	132	158.4	165	176
5	96	115.2	144	172.8	180	192
10	104	124.8	156	187.2	195	208
15	112	134.4	168	201.6	210	224
20+	120	144	180	216	225	240

Vacation Time

The number of vacation days you are eligible to accrue will be determined by three factors

Your role: Non-Exempt (Hourly) or Exempt (Salaried) status
Your tenure: Length of service with RWJBarnabas Health
Your schedule: Weekly standard hours

Key things to know

Here are a few key things for you to know about the new vacation time:

Vacation time accrues biweekly, based on your standard weekly hours (not actual hours worked).
Requests should be submitted at least four (4) weeks in advance, subject to manager approval.
Vacation must be earned before use; unpaid time off is not allowed (unless dismissed due to low census or under extreme circumstances).
Time must be taken in at least half-shift increments (unless using to supplement a Fixed or Flex Holiday).
Beginning at the end of 2026, you may carry over up to 80 hours of unused vacation time into the following year. Any time over 80 hours will be forfeited and not eligible for payout.
Unused vacation time will be paid out at separation, subject to adequate resignation notice.

How much vacation time you will be eligible for

Total hours of vacation time per year – Hourly (Non-Exempt)

Years of Service	Weekly Standard Hours
Years of Service	20 hrs	24 hrs	30 hrs
0	60	72	90
3	68	81.6	102
5	76	91.2	114
10	84	100.8	126
15	92	110.4	138
20+	100	120	150

Years of Service	Weekly Standard Hours
Years of Service	36 hrs	37.5 hrs	40 hrs
0	108	112.5	120
3	122.4	127.5	136
5	136.8	142.5	152
10	151.2	157.5	168
15	165.6	172.5	184
20+	180	187.5	200

Total hours of vacation time per year – Salaried (Exempt)

Years of Service	Weekly Standard Hours
Years of Service	20 hrs	24 hrs	30 hrs
0	80	96	120
3	88	105.6	132
5	96	115.2	144
10	104	124.8	156
15	112	134.4	168
20+	120	144	180

Years of Service	Weekly Standard Hours
Years of Service	36 hrs	37.5 hrs	40 hrs
0	144	150	160
3	158.4	165	176
5	172.8	180	192
10	187.2	195	208
15	201.6	210	224
20+	216	225	240

Transitional Accrual (Protecting Your Annual Time Off)

If your current plan gives you more time off annually than the new plan provides, we have you covered. We will continue to provide you with the same total annual hours of paid time off for up to five years, via a Transitional Accrual to offset the difference. Your personalized letter is now available in PeopleSoft Employee Self Service (ESS).

This Transitional Accrual time will be added to your biweekly “vacation” accrual, following the standard 80-hour annual carryover rule. You will continue to receive this Transitional Accrual time for up to five years—unless your employment status changes (e.g., moving to a per diem or part-time role) or you become eligible for more time off under the new system plan based on your tenure.

Please review the letter for more information on your personal calculation.

Legacy Banks (Your Current Accrued Balances)

You have invested in your time—whether planning for a future trip, saving hours for an emergency or simply needing breathing room. We are protecting that time. All accrued but unused paid time off earned as of December 20, 2025 will continue to be available in a “Legacy Bank”.

Legacy Bank	What It Means for You
Legacy Time Off Includes Current PTO, Vacation, and Holiday A/B Banks	Legacy Time Off can be used as vacation time and is not included in the annual 80-hour year-end carryover maximum. These balances will be eligible to be paid out upon your separation from RWJBarnabas Health, subject to adequate resignation notice and termination without cause.
Legacy Sick Includes Current Sick Banks	Legacy Sick Time is not the same as NJSEL can be used only for personal illness or injury, not for family care or vacation. These balances will not be eligible to be paid out upon your separation from RWJBarnabas Health.
Legacy EIB Includes Current Extended Illness Banks (EIB)	Legacy EIB time can be utilized during an approved leave of absence related to your own personal illness or injury. These balances will not be eligible to be paid out upon your separation from RWJBarnabas Health.

Personal Time: Any current Personal Time must be used by December 20, 2025 and will not be rolled into a Legacy Bank.

Note: If you go on an approved short-term disability leave on or after December 21, 2025, your Legacy Banks will be used first to supplement your pay before the Paid Short-Term Disability Supplement benefit begins.

Paid Leaves of Absence

Our updated paid leave of absence benefits are designed to meet you in some of life’s most exciting and challenging moments, offering flexibility and peace of mind. All eligible employees will have access to three key benefits. Please review the Frequently Asked Questions – linked on the righthand side of this page – for more information regarding these paid leave benefits.

Component	Benefit Overview
Paid Parental Leave Supplement*	Effective May 11, 2025, up to 12 weeks of 100% base pay for all eligible new parents (birthing and non-birthing) in combination with any available support through New Jersey’s Temporary Disability (TDI) and/or Family Leave Insurance (FLI) programs. You will receive partial pay from the state and the rest from RWJBarnabas Health.
Paid Short-Term Disability Supplement*	Effective December 21, 2025, up to 26 weeks at 66 2/3% base pay in combination with any available support through New Jersey’s Temporary Disability (TDI) program. You will receive partial pay from the state and the rest from RWJBarnabas Health.
Bereavement Leave	Effective May 11, 2025, up to four (4) working days will be available for bereavement of an immediate family member and up to two (2) working days for other family members.

Note: This change does not apply to Honor System-eligible employees until December 21, 2025.

* To be eligible for supplemental leave of absence benefits, employees must be employed with RWJBarnabas Health for at least one continuous year. These changes apply to consecutive leaves of absence beginning on or after the effective dates noted above and do not apply to intermittent leaves. You must be approved for benefits through the New Jersey TDI/FLI programs (as applicable) in order to collect the supplemental benefit from RWJBarnabas Health. Employees who are located within states other than New Jersey should consult the Leave of Absence team for details on specific processes and benefits that may be available.

Honor System Updates

The Honor System time off benefit remains a flexible option for eligible leaders—but we are changing the support we provide in a few key ways.

Celebration of Holidays

Beginning on January 1, 2026, Honor System employees will move to the same fixed holiday schedule as all other employees and will have seven (7) paid holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. If a fixed holiday falls on a weekend, it will be observed on the nearest weekday.

Paid Leaves of Absence

There are two phases of changes to the Honor System paid leaves of absence* benefit.

For leaves of absence beginning on or after May 11, 2025, but before December 21, 2025, there are no changes to the total amount of pay that Honor System-eligible employees can receive. However, Honor System-eligible employees will need to take specific action to receive partial pay from the State of New Jersey and the remainder of pay will come from RWJBarnabas Health:

Paid Parental Leave Supplement: Up to 20 weeks of 100% base pay for the birthing parent or up to 12 weeks of 100% base pay for the non-birthing parent, in combination with any available support through New Jersey’s Temporary Disability (TDI) and/or Family Leave Insurance (FLI) programs.
Paid Short-Term Disability Supplement: Up to 26 weeks of income at 100% base pay, in combination with any available support through New Jersey’s Temporary Disability (TDI) program.

For leaves of absence beginning on or after December 21, 2025, Honor System employees will have the same paid leave of absence benefits as the rest of our workforce:

Paid Parental Leave Supplement: Up to 12 weeks of 100% base pay for all parents (birthing and non-birthing), in combination with any available support through New Jersey’s Temporary Disability (TDI) and/or Family Leave Insurance (FLI) programs.
Paid Short-Term Disability Supplement: Up to 26 weeks of income at 66 2/3% base pay, in combination with any available support through New Jersey’s Temporary Disability (TDI) program.

No Changes to Previously Frozen Banks

If you had accumulated unused Vacation/PTO/Holiday time during your transition to the Honor System, that time will continue to be frozen. These balances are only accessible upon resignation and cannot be used to receive additional pay during a leave of absence.

Future Promotions into the Honor System

If you are promoted into an Honor System-eligible role on or after May 11, 2025, your existing unused banks of time off will be forfeited and will not be paid out. From that point forward, you will enjoy the full flexibility of the Honor System time off benefit.