I am one amongst thousands of UF Health employees who juggle professional and familial responsibilities. For many of us, using our Paid Time Off (PTO) hours for doctor's appointments, personal events, or unanticipated incidents (such as family emergencies) are unavoidable. The demands we face are further intensified during the hurricane season with clinic/office closures, which are beyond our control.

This problem lies in the fact that if we lack sufficient PTO to cover the closure days, these hours are left unpaid. This potentially burdens us with additional financial strain, especially during a significant weather event.

Therefore, we propose a simple solution: UF Health should introduce three (3) "Hurricane Days" every hurricane season (June 1st to November 30th), paid for by UF Health, not deducted from our PTO. It's crucial to understand that these are not vacation days but measures ensuring our financial stability during more challenging times of the year. This financial strain adds additional stress to an already stressful situation.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Florida faces between five to seven hurricanes each year, with about two developing into significant storms (CATEGORY 3 or higher). Given this pattern, the need for this policy is not only justifiable but necessary. Clinic closures don't occur with every hurricane, but having this policy in place could be an added benefit to current employees and a great incentive to potential new hires.

Please, sign this petition, support the thousands who maintain the backbone of our healthcare system, and let’s ensure UF Health introduces this policy. Together, we can create a working environment that supports its employees during times of nature-induced uncertainty.