This past Monday, VCU Health made the decision to close outpatient services due to extreme winter weather conditions, prioritizing safety for patients and staff. While this decision was necessary, VCU Health has since stated that the hours missed during the closure will be deducted from affected employees’ personal accrued Paid Time Off (PTO) banks.

Requiring staff to use their earned PTO for a weather-related, employer-mandated closure places an unfair financial and personal burden on employees—particularly those who rely on PTO for illness, family needs, or planned time off.

Administrative Pay is an established and appropriate option for situations in which employees are unable to work due to operational closures outside of their control. Providing Administrative Pay in this instance would demonstrate VCU Health’s commitment to supporting its workforce, maintaining equity across departments, and upholding its values as a leading healthcare employer.

This petition calls on VCU Health leadership to compensate all affected employees with Administrative Pay for the hours lost due to the outpatient closure, rather than requiring the use of personal PTO. We ask for a fair and compassionate resolution that recognizes the dedication and professionalism of VCU Health staff.

By signing this petition, we stand together in support of our colleagues and advocate for policies that treat employees with fairness and respect.