The community service leave is intended to promote staff member involvement in the community, consistent with the University’s commitment to partnering with communities, both nearby and around the world, as part of the 4 pillar in the Plan for Bucknell, Build Bridges. 

With supervisory approval, benefits-eligible members of the exempt and non-exempt staff can designate one work day per calendar year as community service leave in order to volunteer during normal working hours. This benefit is available for regular benefitseligible full-time and part-time staff members on the hourly and salaried staff. It does not apply to weekend or evening activities unless those hours are part of the staff member’s normal working hours. 

For example, community service leave can be used to: 

• Perform volunteer work at local or national non-profit organizations, United Way agencies, homeless shelters, church-sponsored food drives or food banks, libraries, hospitals, transitional homes for women, community centers, retirement homes or other similar organizations
• Volunteer to work at school or PTA-sponsored activities such as science fairs, book fairs, field days, plays, concerts, athletic events, field trips and other similar functions involving the staff member's children, grandchildren, or step- children
• Coach (as a volunteer) for athletic teams in youth leagues
• Engage in other community service activities, including organized municipal events (i.e. downtown cleanup, river cleanup, etc.) that qualify with the approval of the staff member's supervisor. 

Eligibility

After completing one year of University service, regular benefits-eligible full-time and part- time staff members may use, and be compensated for, one regular work day as community service leave per calendar year. 

Implementation Procedures 

• Supervisors must approve the use of community service leave. Planned use of community service leave should be coordinated well in advance so that its impact upon departmental operations can be considered.
• The staff member must submit a written request to their immediate supervisor for approval. As with vacation time, the request for community service leave may be denied if, in the judgment of the supervisor, the absence of that staff member on that particular day would cause hardship due to organizational commitments.
• The request must include information on the organization being served and details about the capacity in which the staff member will be serving.
• With the approval of the supervisor/department head, community service leave should normally be used in no less than half-day increments.
• Community service leave is not accrued. When used, the time taken should be recorded as community service leave.
• Community service leave is not intended to be used to extend vacation time.
• This leave cannot be carried over from one year to the next and there is no payout for unused community service leave if a staff member leaves University employment.

CONTENT MIGRATED FROM STAFF HANDBOOK SEPTEMBER 4, 2025.