A one-time program that provides up to 16 hours of added paid leave for nonrepresented staff employees has been announced by UC officials. The 2004-05 Bonus Leave Program requires that eligible employees use their new time off between Dec.1, 2004, and Jan. 31, 2005.

“You must take it during this two-month period,” said Carol Houchens, UCSB Human Resources information systems manager. “It’s this way on every campus.”

To be eligible for the bonus time, which will be proportioned according to an employee’s full- or part-time work status, the employee’s date of hire cannot be any later than Oct. 1, 2004. Also, the employee must not receive a general salary increase in 2004-05.

Part-timers are eligible if their appointment is 50 percent or more, according to the UCOP policy. These employees’ bonus time is based on how many hours they normally work. START participants will be based on their pre-START appointment.

UCSB Human Resources people say that UC is negotiating with union representatives to extend the bonus leave time to their members.